Ronny Johnsen
Encyclopedia
Jean Ronny Johnsen is a former Norwegian
football player. He played as a centre back or defensive midfielder, but was often sidelined because of his many injuries.
from Beşiktaş
of Turkey
in 1996 for a fee of £1.2million. Prior to Beşiktaş, his career took him to Stokke, Eik-Tønsberg, Lyn Oslo, and illestrøm S.K.|Lillestrømbla bla bla].
While at Manchester United, he helped the club to 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), and one FA Cup
in 1999. He also contributed enormously to Manchester United's UEFA Champions League
win in 1999, and covered the central midfield position in Manchester United's away win over Juventus in the semi-final in a game that is considered by many to be the best of his career. He also played the whole of the final in Barcelona, this time in defence, alongside Jaap Stam
. He has the rare distinction of also winning four medals in four consecutive appearances with the club. He was on the pitch for the title clincher, FA Cup final, and Champions League final in 1999, and because of injury, the 2000 league title clincher against Tottenham Hotspur
. Although he fell well short of the 10 appearances required for a title winner's medal in 2000, he received a title winner's medal through special dispensation - similar to the one credited to Dion Dublin
for the same reason seven years earlier. The following season, he just met the criteria for a title medal.
While at Manchester United, he scored eight goals in all competitions - the first coming against Chelsea
in the FA Charity Shield in August 1997. He remained with them until his contract expired at the end of the 2001–02 season, when he was given a free transfer.
In 2002, Johnsen and fellow Norwegian international Øyvind Leonhardsen
had a trial at German side Schalke 04. After that move fell through, Johnsen signed with Aston Villa
. In two years at Aston Villa, he scored once in the league, against Leeds United in February 2004. After leaving Aston Villa, Johnsen signed for Newcastle United
but only played a handful of games before being released with concerns over his fitness levels.
Johnsen was part of the Norwegian national team
at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
and has capped 61 times for his country.
In February 2005, Johnsen announced his retirement from professional football. Shortly after he changed his mind, signing a one-year contract with the Norwegian
club Vålerenga. He has renewed this contract for the 2006 and recently also the 2007 season, and again for the 2008 season.
On 22 August 2007, he had a remarkable comeback on the Norwegian national football team, playing the whole match home against Argentina. Norway won the game 2–1.
Johnson retired as an active football player on 3 November 2008, with Vålerenga losing their final game of the 2008 season 1–0 to SK Brann.
FA Cup
(1): 1999
FA Charity Shield (1): 1997
UEFA Champions League
(1): 1999
Tippeligaen
(1): Norwegian Premier Division gold medal 2005.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
football player. He played as a centre back or defensive midfielder, but was often sidelined because of his many injuries.
Career
He was purchased by Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
from Beşiktaş
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
in 1996 for a fee of £1.2million. Prior to Beşiktaş, his career took him to Stokke, Eik-Tønsberg, Lyn Oslo, and illestrøm S.K.|Lillestrømbla bla bla].
While at Manchester United, he helped the club to 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), and one FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1999. He also contributed enormously to Manchester United's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
win in 1999, and covered the central midfield position in Manchester United's away win over Juventus in the semi-final in a game that is considered by many to be the best of his career. He also played the whole of the final in Barcelona, this time in defence, alongside Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam
Jakob "Jaap" Stam is a retired Dutch football player who was twice voted best defender in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 UEFA Champions League. He played for several European clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, S.S. Lazio, A.C. Milan and AFC Ajax before retiring in October 2007...
. He has the rare distinction of also winning four medals in four consecutive appearances with the club. He was on the pitch for the title clincher, FA Cup final, and Champions League final in 1999, and because of injury, the 2000 league title clincher against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Although he fell well short of the 10 appearances required for a title winner's medal in 2000, he received a title winner's medal through special dispensation - similar to the one credited to Dion Dublin
Dion Dublin
Dion Dublin , is a retired English footballer. He was capped four times for England. Dublin started his career as a centre back with Norwich City, but made his name at Cambridge United as a goal-scoring centre forward. However, in his later years he showed his versatility by becoming an...
for the same reason seven years earlier. The following season, he just met the criteria for a title medal.
While at Manchester United, he scored eight goals in all competitions - the first coming against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in the FA Charity Shield in August 1997. He remained with them until his contract expired at the end of the 2001–02 season, when he was given a free transfer.
In 2002, Johnsen and fellow Norwegian international Øyvind Leonhardsen
Øyvind Leonhardsen
Øyvind Leonhardsen is a Norwegian former footballer. He retired after the 2007 season, and at that moment he was captain of Strømsgodset IF in the Norwegian Premier Division, ending a career with nine years in English football with clubs like Wimbledon, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa...
had a trial at German side Schalke 04. After that move fell through, Johnsen signed with Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. In two years at Aston Villa, he scored once in the league, against Leeds United in February 2004. After leaving Aston Villa, Johnsen signed for Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
but only played a handful of games before being released with concerns over his fitness levels.
Johnsen was part of the Norwegian national team
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
and has capped 61 times for his country.
In February 2005, Johnsen announced his retirement from professional football. Shortly after he changed his mind, signing a one-year contract with the Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
club Vålerenga. He has renewed this contract for the 2006 and recently also the 2007 season, and again for the 2008 season.
On 22 August 2007, he had a remarkable comeback on the Norwegian national football team, playing the whole match home against Argentina. Norway won the game 2–1.
Johnson retired as an active football player on 3 November 2008, with Vålerenga losing their final game of the 2008 season 1–0 to SK Brann.
Honours
Premier League (4): 1996–97 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(1): 1999
1999 FA Cup Final
The 1999 FA Cup Final took place on 22 May 1999 and was played at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Newcastle United. Manchester United had finished as champions and Newcastle 13th in the Premier League that season. The Final was a one-sided affair, Manchester...
FA Charity Shield (1): 1997
1997 FA Charity Shield
The 1997 FA Charity Shield was the 75th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 3 August 1997 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1996–97 FA...
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 1999
1999 UEFA Champions League Final
The 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich...
Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
(1): Norwegian Premier Division gold medal 2005.