Wednesday, 16th January, 2013
Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson, who was released by the English Premier League champions in December, has asked to be left alone to "live the rest of my life".
News that Johnson has left the Etihad Stadium broke recently and the 24-year-old’s career has been the subject of much debate.
Johnson was tipped as a future England captain and was signed to a contract paying some £40,000 per week by Manchester City.
However, he has struggled with a number of demons and admits he has attended the Priory Clinic, which specialises in the treatment of mental illness, alcoholism and gambling addictions.
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"I am more disappointed than anyone but that’s the way it goes", he told the Manchester Evening News.
"I have been attending the Priory Clinc for a number of years now with regard to my mental health and would be grateful if I could now be left alone to live the rest of my life."
Johnson was developed by Manchester City’s youth academy, which he joined from Everton in 2006.
He made a total of 45 senior appearances for the Citizens and spent time on loan at Leicester City in 2011. His football career now appears to be all but over.
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