Jakob Johansson (born 21 June 1990) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Becoming the first player born in the 1990s to play in Allsvenskan while at IFK Göteborg, he went on to represent AEK Athens and Rennes before retiring at IFK Göteborg in 2021. A full international between 2013 and 2019, he won 18 caps for the Sweden national team and is best remembered for scoring the winning goal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs against Italy when Sweden qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 12 years.
Club career
IFK Göteborg Born in Trollhättan, Johansson's first club was Trollhättans BoIS. He was brought to IFK Göteborg, together with manager Jonas Olsson, from FC Trollhättan. On 27 June 2007, he became the first player born in the 1990s to have played in the top league of Sweden, Allsvenskan when he debuted for his IFK Göteborg.
AEK Athens On 28 December 2014, Johansson signed a 3.5-year contract with AEK Athens. On 22 August 2015, he made his debut in Super League Greece helping his team AEK win 3–0 against Platanias. On 22 November 2015, he scored his first season goal with a header in AEK Athens' away win against Panthrakikos. On 21 December 2015, the 15th matchday of the season, he again netted with a header giving his club the lead in 2–1 home defeat against Levadiakos. He finished the 2015–16 season with seven goals, including a header against Panathinaikos in a 3–1 victory.
Johansson started the 2016–17 season as a key player in midfield. In the late days of July 2017 AEK made a last effort to extend Johansson's contract, which is set to expire on 30 June 2018. On 20 August 2017, he scored in the opening match of the season against Panetolikos, which ended as a 2–0 home win. Johansson started the season as a starter, but his serious injury in November 2017, combined with his desire not to renew his contract with the club, resulted in him being left out of the manager's plans.
Rennes Johansson signed for the Ligue 1 club Rennes in the summer of 2018.
Return to IFK Göteborg and retirement In 2020, he return to IFK Göteborg after six years abroad. On 22 June 2021, after suffering many injuries in the latest years, he decided to retire from professional football at the age of only 31.
International career Johansson made his international debut in a friendly against North Korea on 23 January 2013. He made his competitive debut in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against France on 11 November 2016. On 10 November 2017 the Swedes won against Italy 1–0 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Second Round first leg at the Friends Arena, and the only goal coming when Jakob Johansson drilled home from 20 yards, via a Daniele De Rossi deflection. On 13 November 2017, in the game where Sweden held on to force a goalless draw in the second leg at the San Siro to defeat the Italians 1–0 on aggregate in their Russia 2018 World Cup play-off, Johansson faced an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for 11 months. Consequently, he also missed the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Style of play Johansson was a box-to-box midfielder, with his stand-out features being his physical strength, marking, accurate passing and overall significance in build-up play.
Personal life His older brother, Rickard is a former goalkeeper.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsIFK Göteborg2007Allsvenskan9040—1302008Allsvenskan15242001942009Allsvenskan17131102122010Allsvenskan26422203062011Allsvenskan20230—2322012Allsvenskan22010—2302013Allsvenskan27571203662014Allsvenskan2745161386Total1631829711120326AEK Athens2014–15Super League Greece 221150—2612015–16Super League Greece34582—4272016–17Super League Greece33051103912017–18Super League Greece811080141Total9671939012410Rennes2018–19Ligue 116120402212019–20Ligue 100000000Total1612040221IFK Göteborg2020Allsvenskan18010102002021Allsvenskan0000—00Total1801010200Career total29326511025136937
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSweden2013102014202015002016202017101201820201910Total181
International goals Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 10 November 2017 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours IFK Göteborg Allsvenskan: 2007 Svenska Cupen: 2008, 2012–13, 2019–20
AEK Athens Super League Greece: 2017–18 Greek Cup: 2015–16 Football League: 2014–15 (South Group)
Rennes Coupe de France: 2018–19 Individual Årets ärkeängel (IFK Göteborg player of the year as decided by the supporters): 2012
References
External links