Johansson: From Electrician to European Hero
Jonas Johansson, a former professional goalkeeper who retired two years ago, has found himself back in the spotlight after being offered a contract by Klaksvík, a Faroese football club. Johansson had been working as an electrician and playing amateur football in the fifth division of the Norwegian league before this unexpected opportunity came his way.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. After retiring from professional football, Johansson decided to focus on his career as an electrician while continuing to play football at a lower level. However, fate had other plans for him.
In May, just before the start of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Klaksvík’s first-choice goalkeeper got injured, and their coach, Magne Hoseth, reached out to Johansson with an offer to join the team. Johansson, who was on vacation with his family in Rhodes at the time, couldn’t believe his luck.
„It’s absolutely unbelievable. I was just on vacation with my family in Rhodes when my coach called me,“ Johansson said in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. „Now it feels like I’m still on vacation. The best vacation in the world,“ he added.
Johansson’s impact on the team has been immediate and significant. In the previous three matches of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, he kept clean sheets and played a crucial role in Klaksvík’s surprising victory over Hungarian champions Ferencváros. In the first leg against Swedish side Häcken, Johansson didn’t concede a goal either. Although the second leg ended in a 2-2 draw, Klaksvík eventually won 4-3 on penalties, with Johansson making crucial saves.
„In such cases, the goalkeeper is usually hailed as a hero, even though I conceded three goals during the game. But I managed to save three out of five penalties. This is the biggest moment in the club’s history and by far the biggest in my career,“ Johansson said.
Despite his heroics, Johansson’s contract with Klaksvík is only until the end of August. He expressed his willingness to extend his stay with the club if the coach wants him to.
Klaksvík’s next challenge in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers is Norwegian champions Molde, which adds an interesting twist to the story. Molde’s coach is Magne Hoseth, a former Norwegian international and a close friend of Johansson. They had previously played together at Molde, winning three league titles, including one in 2019 alongside current Klaksvík defender Vegard Forren.
„It’s a bit sad that we’re experiencing such European adventures and yet we’re flying to Gothenburg, then to Molde… My girlfriend is from near Molde. It could have been a more exotic destination,“ Johansson joked.
Even if Klaksvík doesn’t succeed in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, they will still have a chance to compete in the playoffs for a spot in the UEFA Europa League. Furthermore, even in the event of further defeat, Klaksvík, a club with only 5,000 inhabitants, would still have the opportunity to play in the group stage of the new UEFA Europa Conference League.
In addition to their European exploits, Klaksvík has been dominant in their domestic league. After winning back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022, they are on track for a third consecutive championship. In the current season, they have won all 16 of their opening matches and are yet to drop any points.
Johansson’s unexpected return to professional football has captured the attention of fans and media alike. His story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the determination of individuals to seize opportunities when they arise.
