Seth Johnson has swapped the "comfort zone" at Derby for the "comedy zone" at a Leeds side which is fast developing into David O'Leary's mini-England.

Leeds' latest £9million recruit fits perfectly into the O'Leary transfer mould as described by chairman Peter Ridsdale earlier this week as the 22-year-old is young, talented and English.

In taking a further step up the career ladder by leaving behind relegation-haunted Derby for Premier League title-contenders Leeds, Johnson now has his sights firmly set on a place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.

Depending on circumstances over the next eight months, it is highly probable Leeds could provide Eriksson with seven of the 22 who will be heading for Japan and South Korea next summer.

Should Johnson thrust his way into the spotlight, then there is the possibility he could be joined by Nigel Martyn, Rio Ferdinand, Danny Mills, Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate.

The fact Johnson has previously played with Smith, Woodgate and Ferdinand at under-21 level eased any fears about joining a more high-profile club, with the former Crewe star positively welcomed with open arms. The spirit and cameraderie which resides within the United squad came to the fore last night as O'Leary's boys refused to let Johnson onto the Elland Road pitch during the interval of the UEFA Cup tie with Troyes at a time when he was supposed to be introduced to the crowd.

Johnson said: "I've always been told what a good club this is and that the team spirit is unbelievable.

"I found that out on Thursday night because the other lads wouldn't let me out of the tunnel, but just being in the changing rooms yesterday, everyone was buzzing. It's brilliant.

"There was a lot of banter flying around and they're all best mates with one another, whereas at Derby people always seemed a bit down and disappointed because of the poor results.

"I could have stayed in the comfort zone at Derby and continued to play week in and week out without really improving. But I've come here to improve and win trophies.

"I admit it was a wrench to leave Derby given their current situation. I didn't want to leave them in the lurch, especially when they are struggling, but they've got good money for me ."

Johnson goes straight into the Leeds squad for tomorrow's game against Chelsea at Elland Road and is likely to be on the bench.