Accrington Stanley are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Callum Johnson on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Championship side Middlesbrough.
The 21-year-old joined the Reds on loan in August and has made his switch to the Wham Stadium a permanent one for an undisclosed fee.
Johnson, who has made 13 appearances this season, has featured mainly as a central midfielder for Stanley but the versatile youngster can also play across the back four.
Speaking after signing his contract, Johnson said: "I'm buzzing to get everything sorted and to be staying at Accrington on a permanent basis.
"From the moment that I first came here on loan I was so impressed with the club and I was given the chance to play games regularly. I'm just so pleased to have everything done and I can look forward and focus on the rest of the season with all of the lads.
"It's such a close-knit club, everybody is in it together and we all know the target to try and get promoted and we're doing everything we can to achieve that.
"I've been at Middlesbrough for 14 years so leaving on loan was strange at first, but I settled in really quickly, I love the area and I see this as a home for myself now. But it was never a difficult decision to come here, I'm playing first team football and nothing can beat that."
Johnson becomes Stanley's second signing of the January transfer window, following Jimmy Dunne's loan move from Burnley yesterday.
He will go straight into the match day squad for tomorrow's visit of Chesterfield.
Manager John Coleman said: "I'm pleased to get Callum in, it's something that we had been exploring for the past couple of months.
"He's certainly one for the future and if Callum continues his development and goes about it the right way then he could be a very good investment for this football club.
"The way he conducts himself is very impressive, he's a good professional who lives his life right. He's got a passion and drive to succeed and I hope this club can help reward him for that."