Midfielder Bradley Johnson became Norwich's firth signing of the 2011 summer when he joined on a free transfer from Leeds on 1st July 2011, after weeks of speculation.

Johnson started his career at his boyhood team Arsenal but was released by the club when he was 15 years old. After playing for non-league Waltham Forest, he joined the youth team at Cambridge United, making one appearance for the first team before joining Northampton Town on 16th May 2005. After loan spells at Stevenage and Gravesend, he established himself in the Cobblers' first team.

Johnson began to attract attention from a host of Championship sides, including Coventry City, Colchester United and Queens Park Rangers, but was in talks to sign for Leicester City, after discussing terms at the Walkers Stadium on 2nd January 2008. However, the player returned to the Sixfields Stadium, having failed to reach an agreement with the club. Leeds United then approached Northampton and on 8th January 2008, he signed a three and a half year deal with Leeds. Northampton received £250,000.

He made 122 appearances for Leeds, scoring 16 goals. He also scored four goals in a ten match loan spell at Brighton at the end of 2008 / early 2009.

Rejecting a new contract from Leeds, he signed a three year deal with Norwich. He made his City debut in the 1-1 home draw with Stoke on 21st August 2011. He scored his first Norwich goal in the 2-1 away win at Bolton on 17th September 2011 (City's first Premier League away win since 1994)

Reports in The Sun on Saturday 1st October 2011 suggested that Bradley may be placed on standby for the England squad for the Euro2012 qualifier against Montenegro. "Only a massive number of injuries will see Johnson included in the 25-man squad for the trip tio Podgorica. But it seems likely that he will receive a call-up for a November friendly against Spain at Wembley."

In early May 2013, Johnson was linked with a £4.2million switch to Swansea City.

He made 36 appearances, scoring three goals in the 2013/14 season in which Norwich were relegated from the Premier League.

On Transfer Deadline Day (2nd February 2015), Johnson was strongly linked with a move to Burnley but it did not materialise.

Johnson finished the season with 15 goals in 46 appearances and was named player of the season. Norwich reached the Championship play-offs and Johnson played in both semi-finals against Ipswich and in the 2-0 defeat of Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley on 25th May 2015.

Limited to a place on the bench for Norwich's opening four games of the 2015/16 Premier League season, Johnson was surprisingly sold to Derby County for a fee of £5million-£6million which will rise to £7million. The move divided City fans with some stating that Johnson recognised that he was not up to Premier league standards and others saying that the club would miss his spirit, goals and commitment. Johnson himself was surprised by the shock move inadvertently referring to the Rams as “Derby City” in a live television interview with the BBC moments after joining. He later tweeted “Would like to take this opportunity to thank the Norwich fans for their amazing support ? @NorwichCityFC will always be in my heart.”

On 5th July 2019, Johnson joined Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer, signing a two year deal. He had made 140 appearances for the Rams, scoring 14 goals.

Johnson was released by Blackburn on 9th May 2022 after his contract expired. He made 86 appearances for Rovers scoring six goals. He signed for MK Dons on 15th July 2022. MK Dons head coach Liam Manning said "Bradley brings a wealth of experience to a young group. Most importantly, he still has plenty to offer on the pitch. He has been a part of several successful teams during his career and certainly knows what it takes to win and produce high-level performances on a consistent basis"

Bradley got his first taste of management following the sacking of Manning on 11th December 2022. He managed the Dons in the Carabao Cup against Leicester before Mark Jackson was appointed as manager.

Johnson and MK Dons were relegated to League Two following a 0-0 draw at Burton on the final day of the 2022/23 League One season (7th May 2023). On 20th May 2023 it was announced that Johnson would leave the Dons at the expiry of his contract.

Bradley returned to Derby on 18th July 2023 as a player-coach for their Under-21 team.

On 26th April 2024 he announced his retirement from playing. He had played over 600 games.

In June 2025 he was appointed as Lead coach for Derby's Under-18 team following a shake-up of the Rams' Academy set-up. He will lead the side in their season in Premier League – North, the Premier League Cup and the FA Youth Cup.