The 19-year-old defender is set to return to Sunderland for pre-season on the back of a confidence-building stint with Dundalk.
Having joined the Lilywhites in February, Johnson has played a starring role in a record-breaking run, keeping eight consecutive clean sheets.
That followed a testing spell at Hartlepool in the first half of last season, when Johnson admits he found the transition into regular senior football difficult.
But he’s pleased to have now put that behind him and has loved every minute of his time with Dundalk.
“I found myself in the squad after the sixth game and haven’t looked back,” he said.
“It’s been amazing. The support I’ve got from the members of staff, players around me and the fans has just been incredible, I’ve really enjoyed it.
“The key message was just to try and play as many games as possible. I know it’s very basic but that really is what it comes down to and trying to be as consistent as I can be, bringing the best version of myself.
“For me, the message in my head is I’m not 19 anymore, I need to mature and forget about my age. I need to show no matter what age I am I can be reliable, trustworthy and I can be a player the manager can trust in.”
