Ronny Johnsen

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Ronny Johnsen
Personal information
Full name Jean Ronny Johnsen
Date of birth June 10, 1969 (age 37)
Place of birth    Sandefjord, Norway
Playing position center back
Club information
Current club Vålerenga I.F.
Youth clubs
Sem I.F.
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
 ?
?-1991
1992-1993
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-2002
2002-2004
2004
2005-Present
Stokke I.L.
Eik-Tønsberg
F.C. Lyn Oslo
Lillestrøm
Beşiktaş
Manchester United
Aston Villa
Newcastle United
Vålerenga


31 (7)
23 (4)
22 (1)
99 (7)
49 (1)
3 (0)
23 (1)   
National team2
1991-2004 Norway 61 (3)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 2005.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 2005.
* Appearances (Goals)

Ronny Johnsen (born June 10, 1969 in Sandefjord) is a Norwegian football player.

Johnsen plays as a centre back or central midfielder, but has often been relegated to the training table because of his many injuries. He was purchased by Manchester United from Beşiktaş of Turkey in 1996. While at United, he helped the club to 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), one FA Cup in 1999. He also contributed enormosly to United's UEFA Champions League win in 1999, and covered the central midfield position in United's away win over Juventus in the semi-final in a game that is by many considered the best of his career. He also played the whole 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 1999 league title clincher against Tottenham Hotspur. While at United, he scored 8 goals.

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. Prior to Beşiktaş, his career took him to Stokke, Eik-Tønsberg, Lyn Oslo, and Lillestrøm. 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 season.


Vålerenga IF - Current Squad

1 Arason | 3 Jepsen | 4 Holm | 5 Muri | 6 dos Santos | 7 Fredheim Holm | 8 Mila | 9 Jalland | 10 Sørensen | 11 Berre | 13 Storbæk | 15 Mathisen | 16 Roberts | 17 Fellah | 18 Lange | 19 Grindheim | 22 Johnsen | 24 Wæhler | 25 Strømnes | 26 El-Gharbi | 30 Bolthof


Flag of Norway Norway squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup Flag of Norway

1 Grodås | 2 Halle | 3 Johnsen | 4 Berg | 5 Bjørnebye | 6 Solbakken | 7 Mykland | 8 Leonhardsen | 9 T. Flo | 10 Rekdal | 11 Jakobsen | 12 Myhre | 13 Baardsen | 14 Heggem | 15 Eggen | 16 J. Flo | 17 H. Flo | 18 Østenstad | 19 Hoftun | 20 Solskjær | 21 Riseth | 22 Strand | Coach: Olsen