Ryder's stunning transfer to Otago was confirmed yesterday. The explosive left-hander will join a Volts team that, particularly in the shorter forms of the game, will field an imposing batting line-up.
There is understandable excitement at the prospect of seeing Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Hamish Rutherford, Jimmy Neesham and company blast into action at the University Oval.
Interestingly, it is a major deviation from Otago's recent recruitment policy. The Volts have had great success out of blending provincial offcuts and fringe or lesser-known players with their homegrown talent.
But, while Ryder (28) may have an extremely high profile and is recognised as one of the best players in the country, he will not be given the rock-star treatment in Otago.
''The Otago cricket team set their own culture, and follow each other,'' Johnson said yesterday.
''I'm not focusing on Jesse as anything else but a very fine cricketer. That's how I'll treat him, and I'll expect him to perform on the park.''
Johnson, the former Wellington coach, has had a long association with Ryder. He is relishing the prospect of seeing the burly batsman in blue.
''Jesse's so dynamic, and he adds that bit of X-factor. We all know how good he is. It will also add to the enthusiasm and energy for the Otago public who come and watch us.''
Presumably, Ryder will get one of Otago's top contracts. But he will not technically be taking an existing player's spot, as opening batsman Hamish Rutherford has been elevated to a New Zealand contract.
''We won't see as much of Hamish, if he keeps doing well internationally, so we needed to fill that gap,'' Johnson said.
''We've got a pretty strong New Zealand contingent, so there was always the possibility we'd need to bring another player in.
"We have some young batsmen coming through who are not quite ready yet. Our second option was to look outside the region, and Jesse's name came up.''
Johnson said the Otago Cricket Association, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee, had worked together to seal the deal.
Ryder has had his share of disciplinary issues in the past but Otago has no concerns in that area. Significantly, many of the Volts are friends and supporters of Ryder's, and encouraged Otago to chase his signature.
Ryder, who is leaving Wellington after nearly a decade, has not played for the Black Caps since February 2012. He made himself unavailable after a ''deeply stressful and emotional time'' in the spotlight.
In March this year, he was the victim of an assault that left him in hospital in Christchurch in an induced coma.
Klee said a return to international cricket was hopefully not too far away for Ryder, who has played 18 tests, 39 one-dayers and 20 twenty20s for New Zealand.
''He's going to need to perform, firstly. We all want to see some consistency and stability from him,'' Klee told the Otago Daily Times.
''He met with Mike Hesson for a good talk last week. We've maintained communication with the Black Caps right through this hiatus.
''At some point, Jesse needs to get back into international cricket. He just needed some time to sort himself out.
''We're getting close to that point. After what happened in Christchurch, we realised there wasn't much point sitting around. It's time to get back on the horse and get the career charging again.''
Ryder was making good progress following the March assault, Klee said. There were a couple of lingering concussion issues, but specialists had advised that was to be expected.
Otago was one of four associations keen to contract Ryder and it quickly became his favoured destination.
''It just felt right. A large part of it was VJ [Johnson]. He and Jesse worked together in Wellington and have a good relationship.
''VJ knows how to work well with Jesse. They've done it before.
"They had their moments but VJ knows how to get things out of Jesse.
''And, as word started getting around, Jesse was getting calls and texts from a lot of Otago players.
"He's already got good mates down there. And they're saying they would love to play with Jesse. That means a lot.''
Ryder was looking for accommodation and hoped to be established in Dunedin by October 1, the start of his contract, Klee said.
Contracts were for only six months but Ryder hoped to have a long-term association with Otago.
