Roger Johnson Bio

Johnson's reward for his fine performances with Cardiff City was a move to the Premier League in June 2009 when he was signed by Birmingham City for a fee of £5m.

The defender had long been tracked by a number of clubs and it was Cardiff's failure to reach the top flight which prompted their decision to cash in.

He began his career with Wycombe Wanderers, though he was also on the books of Portsmouth and Bournemouth as a youngster, making 159 appearances for the Chairboys before moving to Ninian Park for £275,000 in the summer of 2006.

Johnson was Cardiff's Player of the Year in 2007-08 as they lost to Portsmouth in the final of the FA Cup.

The player became one of the finest performers in the Championship in 2008-09, named in the divisional team of the year and again being named the Bluebirds' Player of the Year.

That led to interest from the Premier League and he moved to Birmingham after 119 appearances and 12 goals for Cardiff.