Blues give trial to Liberian midfielder Johnson

Jan 8 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES are giving a trial to Liberian midfielder Dulee Johnson.

The 23-year-old has been granted permission by his Swedish club AIK Solna to spend a week at Wast Hills.

Johnson, AIK's 2007 player-of-the-year, could earn himself a transfer if he impresses manager Alex McLeish and his coaches.

Johnson was spotted by a Swedish Third Division club after starring in a youth tournament there. He moved on to Hacken, where he spent five seasons, helping them bounce back immediately from a first year Premier League relegation. He was converted from striker at Hacken and settled into his new role impressively.

After off the field trouble, he was snapped up by AIK in 2006 and his elegant displays were instrumental in a surprise second place finish in the top-flight. "We are in talks with Birmingham and have given Dulee permission to go there for a week," AIK sports director Ola Andersson said.

Johnson checked into Blues as Neil Kilkenny checked out.

His loan to Leeds United has been made permanent for an initial £150,000.