City Fan Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Leicester City have completed a major transfer coup in securing the services of Swedish international defender Nils-Eric Johansson from Blackburn Rovers. Johansson, who cost the East Lancashire club £2.7 million when he signed in 2001, has put pent to paper on a two-year deal with the Foxes and becomes Craig Levein's fifth summer capture. The 25-year-old Swede can opperate at either centre-half or left-back, and was part of the Rovers side that knocked Leicester out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage at Ewood Park last season. Johansson began his career at AK Solna in his native Sweden, but he quickly gained the attentions of some of Europe's top clubs. He signed for Bayern Munich in 1999 before switching to fellow German side Nurnburg a year later. 'Nissa' never missed a game for his new side, and helped them to promotion to Germany's top division before making the switch to Blackbun in October 2001. The Stockholm-born defender made 28 appearances for Rovers last season, but was not offered new terms when his deal expired allowing him to make the move to the Walkers Stadium. Speaking exclusively to the official Leicester City website, he said: "Leicester made their interest in me known pretty early on in the summer. I was out of contract with Blackburn so I came to have a look around the Walkers Stadium and the training facilities. I was really impressed with what I saw. "The whole place is built for the Premier League and it is our job now to put the club back where they belong." Johansson was full of praise for Leicester assistant manager Rob Kelly, with whom he worked with at Ewood Park. He added: "I know Rob Kelly from my time at Blackburn and he is an excellent coach. He worked a lot with the reserves when I first joined the club, but was helping out with the first team in the end. He has got some good ideas. It always helps when you have got a familiar face around. "I prefer to play at centre half, but I have also played at left back during my career. I will play wherever the manager wants me to. "I have won three caps for Sweden during my career so far. My first aim is to secure a place in the Leicester City starting line up - I will worry about my international career after that. But it would be good to be involved with the Swedish squad again - especially with the World Cup coming up. "The team have been working very hard since the start of pre-season and I am now looking forward to getting down to some hard work. The Foxes fly out to Norway next week to play two games as part of their pre-season campaign. Johansson said: "Although Norway is certainly not home for me, I may be able to help out a few of the guys if there are any language difficulties. "There is always a lot of banter when I meet Norwegian players over here in England so I am sure it will be the same over there. I'm looking forward to it." Johansson becomes the first Swede to represent the Foxes since the popular Pontus Kaamark left the club in 1999. He will wear the number 15 shirt.
Fox in a Box Posted 6 July 2005 Author Posted 6 July 2005 I was first on putting this up you fool read nessy numb nuts
Ric Flair Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Excellent news. I really am pleased with this signing and if the other Swede signs it will be shit hot. Looking forward to seeing Nils wear the 15 shirt with pride just like Kamaark did.
City Fan Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 I was first on putting this up you fool read nessy numb nuts 132815[/snapback] Maybe if you named the topic more appropriately and more to the point...
Fox in a Box Posted 6 July 2005 Author Posted 6 July 2005 I was first on putting this up you fool read nessy numb nuts 132815[/snapback] Maybe if you named the topic more appropriately and more to the point... 132820[/snapback] ooooo¬ hello sailor!
Ricey Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 He is a player with a good reputation and who has impressed the Blackburn fans so I'm really pleased with this signing. Obviously I'll wait to see him him on the pitch but I feel very confident he will be a vital player for us next year.
Ric Flair Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Interesting to see it's only a 2 year deal, although I imagine this works out best for both parties. Levein has a vision for this club to be in the premiership within 2 years and Johansson is clearly a premiership player so it would be unfair to tie him down for any longer if we don't get promoted in a year or so. Shrewd deal.
Ric Flair Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Nice one City fan.How much did he cost? 132853[/snapback] Nil pwaa
Hitesh Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 He signed, sealed and we are waiting for him to deliver! which im sure he will with his reputation!
Cobbo Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Think this is a cracking signing B) He's always seemed to me to be a very solid player, going to be a real asset
Lester LXXIV Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 i bet someones pleased they can keep their balls, they don't have to adopt swedish kids and they don't have to move to latvia!! ...
shen Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 i bet someones pleased they can keep their balls, they don't have to adopt swedish kids and they don't have to move to latvia!! ... 132864[/snapback]
Muz Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 i bet someones pleased they can keep their balls, they don't have to adopt swedish kids and they don't have to move to latvia!! ... 132864[/snapback] 132869[/snapback] It was the Faroe Islands But yes you could say im relieved
Babylon Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Very good signing! Who needs Mo Camara?! 133060[/snapback] we do as he isn't a LB
Molson Canadian Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 I think he will turn out to be a great signing !!!!
Libertine Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 Great signing IMO, all these free transfers are quality, so why did MA get loads of old buggers on frees?
Molson Canadian Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 with nalis and walker and there hair gone we needed someone with a good hairstyle to give our team some character Nessy has also done that by signing for us lol
Craig Posted 6 July 2005 Posted 6 July 2005 with nalis and walker and there hair gone we needed someone with a good hairstyle to give our team some character Nessy has also done that by signing for us lol 133092[/snapback] As has Paul Henderson
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