Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson has revealed he shares an unlikely friendship with England legend David Beckham.
Johnson has impressed in his first Premier League season, having scored four goals and registered two assists in 20 appearances for Steve Cooper's side.
Forest have overcome a tricky start to the campaign and currently sit 13th in the Premier League. They also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup before being eliminated by Manchester United on Wednesday.
Advert
At international level, Johnson was part of Wales' first World Cup squad since 1958, coming off the bench in all three Group B games.
What few people will know is Johnson has ties to former Manchester United winger and Three Lions captain Beckham. The connection is thanks to Brennan's dad, David.
Johnson Sr. is a friend of Beckham's, with the pair playing together in the Manchester United academy. David Johnson never made a first-team appearance for United but still forged a decent career at Ipswich Town and later Forest.
Advert
The 21-year-old told the Daily Mail that he first met Beckham as a teenager and since then, he's taken an interest in his rise up the ranks at the City Ground.
"I first met him (Beckham) when I was about 15 or 16 and meeting people like that is crazy," Johnson explained. "You think they’re going to be from a different world but they’re not. He’s a really nice guy, really humble.
"He will text me saying congratulations and if he texts me before a game he always tells me, 'Just enjoy the occasion', especially before the Championship play-off final last season. I’ve not had a kick-about with him yet, though!"
Advert
Johnson is one of the few players to keep his place after earning promotion to the Premier League. Forest have signed a whopping 30 players this season following several departures and end of loans.
He's learned a lot playing against some of the world's best defenders. Johnson highlighted Thiago Silva's performance for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw last month as the perfect example.
"When we played Chelsea and I faced Thiago Silva, I learned a lot,” he continued.
Advert
"His positioning is unbelievable so being quick is not enough. There was a moment when he stepped up and played me offside when I tried to make a run.
"As soon as he did that I knew I had to alter my timing, so the next time Morgan Gibbs-White put me through, I stayed onside. I was always thinking about his positioning and how to react. Just in the space of that game I had learned a new thing."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Nottingham Forest, David Beckham, Premier League