Bjorn Johnsen at Ulsan Hyundai (S. Korea)

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Jgco, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From Brian's latest ASN article on dual nationals:

    Bjorn Maars Johnsen

    Bjorn Maars Johnsen was born and raised in North Carolina and played high school soccer in the Raleigh area. But instead of taking his game to college, Johnsen decided to try his luck in the lower leagues of his father’s native Norway. Johnson, 23, bounced around lower leagues in Norway, Spain, and Portugal, showing gradual improvement along the way. Now with Atletico CP in Portugal’s second tier, the six-foot-five striker has raised his game to a different level.


    http://americansoccernow.com/articles/who-will-be-the-next-dual-national-to-join-u-s-soccer

    I don't think we ever discussed that he grew up in the US and played high school soccer.
     
    HopperKowalski, Testudo, (TxT) and 8 others repped this.
  2. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Is his mother American?
     
  3. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes
     
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  4. Hararea

    Hararea Member+

    Jan 21, 2005
    Fwiw, this isn't correct. Iirc, he was born in NYC, moved to NC at around age 7.
     
  5. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    According to this piece from the Portuguese press, which was published last November, Benfica basically had the deal wrapped up and Johnsen was going to play for their B team in the 2nd division (where Atletico currently plays).

    Benfica assegura Bjorn Johnsen

    The article also says that the idea was for Johnsen to replace Rui Fonte, the league's current top scorer (with 3 goals more than Johnsen) who was just loaned to Belenenses in the Portuguese 1st division.

    Not sure why the deal fell apart, but it could very well be the one @bshredder referenced earlier in this thread.
     
  6. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If Ibarra can get a call up from the US 2nd tier, Bjorn should be able to get one in the Portuguese 2nd tier
     
  7. Midas Mulligan

    Midas Mulligan Member+

    Jul 24, 2013
    NYC
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Completely unacceptable that this post had no reps before today. I like it when you guys do the dry humor thing. This post had a beautiful buildup demonstrating great fundamentals. And finishing so suavely, well, that's rare in our pool.
     
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  8. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    After the failed transfer, his situation at Atletico deteriorated. His contract was terminated.

    He has signed for Litex Lovech in Bulgaria since their window is open until March 2.

    http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=532764
     
  9. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We are going to need a new thread title @bungadiri
     
    bungadiri and Testudo repped this.
  10. Hararea

    Hararea Member+

    Jan 21, 2005
    Testudo repped this.
  11. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thread title: "And You Want To Be My Litex Salesman? BMJ in Bulgaria"

    What do you think?
     
  12. Stogey23

    Stogey23 Member+

    Dec 12, 1998
    San Diego, CA
    And you want to be my Litex salesman...Bjorn Maars in Bulgaria
     
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  13. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Beat you to it
     
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  14. Stogey23

    Stogey23 Member+

    Dec 12, 1998
    San Diego, CA
    Woh!!! Mine is better anyhow lol.
     
  15. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Wow. Went from being on the verge of signing with Benfica (or possibly Sporting) to a move to Bulgaria.

    At least he's in the top division there, but still seems like a bummer overall...
     
  16. paceto

    paceto Member

    Jan 26, 2012
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Hararea repped this.
  17. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Between his name and the club's name... there is so much material to work with. But it's really hard to beat "Maars Attacks..."
     
  18. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I've actually watched a decent amount of the Bulgarian League over the last few years as my wife is from there and I spend some time there, so I find it interesting. Better league than it gets credit for. Not a physical league, more a tactical one and there's some decent talent. I know Ludogorets impressed a number of people this year and CSKA is still a top club. For all the attention Ludogorets received in UCL play, Lovech isn't that far off their standard.

    Lovech has been one of the better clubs over the last few years and really I'd say the top 6 clubs, Levski on up are a decent level of competition. Not as a poor as a club like Varna which Bijev just signed for. It's a stop gap. If he plays well and impresses he'll be sold and move on by the summer or next winter.
     
  19. Testudo

    Testudo Member+

    Jan 29, 1999
    Arlington, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The God of War Strikes Bulgaria: Bjorn Maars Johnson at Litex Lovech
     
  20. LouisZ

    LouisZ Member+

    Oct 14, 2010
    Southern California-USA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    LITEx LOVEch for Maars
     
  21. Rahbiefowlah

    Rahbiefowlah Member+

    Oct 22, 2001
    Las Vegas
    Life on Maars: Bjorn sees the Litex Lovech
     
  22. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    And the club certainly has an interesting owner:

     
  23. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  24. bshredder

    bshredder BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 23, 1999
    Club:
    Millwall FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    House Party!

    [​IMG]
     
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  25. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Has to be close to 6'8" now with this 'do.
     

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