ASN: Bjorn Maars Johnsen Seeks Breakthrough in Bulgaria

The 23-year-old ahead, a six-foot-five dual-national, headed to Europe to pursue a profession in skilled soccer. After stops in Norway, France, Spain, and Portugal, he’s making an affect in—anticipate it—Bulgaria.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
June 03, 2015
3:00 PM

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BORN IN NEW YORK CITY to a Norwegian father and an American mom, Bjorn Maars Johnsen spent his adolescence in North Carolina, performed a bunch of soccer in Norway after highschool, caught on with skilled golf equipment within the decrease tiers of Spain and Portugal, and now finds himself starring within the Bulgarian prime flight with the membership Litex Lovech.

In different phrases, he is one other bold dual-national keen to do no matter it takes to search out success in soccer.

A tall heart ahead, Johnsen, 23, was a key a part of Litex’s push for a spot within the Europa League. His standout second got here when Litex hosted league leaders Ludogorets on Might 23. Johnsen produced a hat trick and in addition drew a penalty. Inter Milan scouts have been in attendance to watch a Ludogorets’ participant but it surely was Johnsen who stood out.

“I didn’t understand the magnitude of it until today when I went to this restaurant and this guy looked at me like I was Ronaldo, “ Johnsen told American Soccer Now from Bulgaria. “It’s funny and surreal. But scoring those goals certainly helps your confidence. I’ve been getting better. It’s definitely different here in Bulgaria and it takes getting used to.”

Johnsen tied for the league lead in scoring throughout the championship spherical, a spherical robin match that includes the highest six groups within the Bulgarian prime flight. He has been one of many league’s stars since becoming a member of Litex in January.

His path to the little-known membership within the 18th-ranked league in Europe is often circuitous. Whereas taking part in for Atletico CP in Portugal’s second tier he established himself because the league’s prime scorer. In December, Benfica made a suggestion for Johnsen and it gave the impression to be a performed deal. On the final minute, nonetheless, Atletico’s proprietor insisted on more cash for Johnsen.

Atletico thought Benfica would enhance its bid however as an alternative the membership walked away and signed another person. Only some weeks later, Atletico struggled to make its payroll and determined to promote Johnsen to Litex for a cheaper price.

“I really left with bitterness,” Johnsen mentioned. “When I went to Europe, I knew I could perhaps move to a higher level. I never thought it would be Benfica. It was really frustrating. Benfica negotiated for months and got fed up. I wasn’t making much money and [Atletico’s owner] wouldn’t give me a chance to go and improve my lifestyle.”

Johnsen is pleased now in Bulgaria. The transfer to Litex considerably elevated his wage. It additionally supplied him an opportunity to play first-division soccer and push for European competitors.

Johnsen is hopeful that as he continues to achieve Bulgaria, he’ll shortly transfer on to a much bigger league. (Bulgarian groups are usually keen to promote prime gamers.)

“Most of Portuguese second tier is really good because teams like Port B and Benfica B have really good players—it’s just that they’re young,” Johnsen defined.

Gamers within the Bulgarian league might not have the identical excessive upside, however they are usually extra mature.

“The nice groups right here don’t make youthful errors,” Johnsen said. “The gamers listed here are extra skilled. Right here you get one or two possibilities versus 4 or 5.

JOHNSEN EARNED all-state honors in highschool however his finest performances as a youth participant got here whereas taking part in for Triangle United, a youth crew in Raleigh, N.C.,  that superior to the U-18 nationwide finals when Johnsen and present Houston Dynamo ahead Robbie Lovejoy led the assault. The coach on the time was German-born Elmar Bolowich, probably the most profitable coach within the College of North Carolina’s historical past and at present the highest man at Creighton.

“I recognized right away the ability and the talent level the kid had in terms of being dynamic,” Bolowich mentioned of Johnsen. “He was good within the air, he was good together with his ft. He was a participant, as a university coach, that I might have had my sights set on getting him right into a top-level College like North Carolina. He instantly talked about that college was not his robust go well with and wasn’t all that .

“He had all the ingredients,” Bolowich continued. “Everything was right there. With a lot of other kids it’s the same way but they never make it. Bjorn was driven enough to mature and progress in the professional ranks in Norway and Portugal.”

After highschool Johnsen bounced across the decrease leagues in Norway with out a lot success. In 2012 he traveled to Paris with a buddy for a combine-like occasion to get observed by scouts. That introduced him first to Spain however then to Portugal in 2013 the place his profession took off on the age of 20. After scoring 10 objectives in 28 video games with third-tier Louletano, he moved to Atletico CP final summer season and scored 14 objectives in half a season.

Johnsen’s father, Hasse Johnsen, was his son’s youth coach at numerous occasions in North Carolina and firmly believes that Bjorn is simply now approaching his potential.

“When he was 15, he decided he wanted to be a professional soccer player,” the elder Johnsen mentioned. “The one factor that has held him again has been himself. At 18 and 19, there may be lots of stuff being thrown at you. Typically it is advisable show your self earlier than you may get to the subsequent degree. 

“He is acquired the expertise. He is a late bloomer, I assume, however he is acquired some distinctive qualities. He is six-foot-five and he is very quick however very technical. He is acquired an important vertical soar. You do not see that so much and that will get lots of consideration.”

Johnsen is in Bulgaria for now however he’s desperate to climb the ladder and shortly transfer onto the larger leagues in Europe. One among his ambitions is to play internationally—he he has but to play at any degree for the USA or Norway.

Whereas the Norwegian media is now actively masking Johnsen and itemizing him as a participant within the combine for a call-up, the ahead insists he is merely ready to see who, if anybody, calls.

“I don’t have a preference,” Johnsen acknowledged frankly. “I really don’t. These are big stages that you just want to play in. For me, I am American and I also am Norwegian.”

His Norwegian father admits to being biased in favor of Norway however hopes that there can be a world alternative for his son with both federation.

“In Norway, it’s funny, they’re convinced that the United States is going to pick him up anyway because that’s what they always do,” Johnsen mentioned. “Have a look at Combine Diskerud. He lived within the Norway his total life. I’m a Norwegian citizen, so for me it could be nice if Bjorn performed for Norway.

“However look, he’s American.”