Jonatan Johansson (footballer)

Early career

Johansson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and started his career in Finland in his hometown club Pargas IF. In 1995, he moved on to the Veikkausliiga club TPS Turku. He went on to score six goals in 32 league appearances in his first season and was chosen to play in the Finland Under-21 team. In 1997, he transferred to FC Flora Tallinn, becoming the first Finnish player to move to an Estonian club. During this time he broke into the senior Finland team – his blond, curly locks earned him the nickname 'Tintti' (Tintin) with national team supporters.

Rangers

He subsequently moved to Scotland to join top Scottish club Rangers for £500,000 the same year but found it difficult to get into manager Walter Smith's side. A change of boss, with Dutchman Dick Advocaat coming in, gave him more chances and he responded by scoring 17 goals in the 1998–99 season, including eight in the Scottish Premier League and five in the UEFA Cup. He scored seven goals the following term, taking his overall tally to 24 in just 37 starts, plus 38 substitute appearances. In his time at the club he was part of the squad that won the domestic treble and double in Advocaat's first two seasons.

Charlton Athletic

Johansson signed for English Premier League club Charlton in the summer of 2000 as Alan Curbishley sought to strengthen his forward-line for the club's return to the Premier League. Charlton paid £3.25 million for the striker with a further £250,000 owed if Johansson made 25 appearances and Charlton avoided relegation. Johansson enjoyed six excellent seasons at Charlton playing most games for the Addicks although he never scored as many goals as in his first season when he notched 14, even with an injury toward the end of the season.

Loan to Norwich City

Johansson moved to Norwich on loan for the rest of the season in the January 2006 transfer window wanting more chances for first team football and was officially released by Charlton at the end of the season. He started his tenure at Norwich promisingly, netting against Ipswich, Derby and Stoke.

Malmö

In July 2006 he signed with Swedish club Malmö FF for a transfer fee of €1.1 million, where he played alongside fellow Finn Jari Litmanen. He proved to be an instant success at the Swedish club. During his first season he scored 11 goals in 14 matches, creating a dangerous offensive line with teammate Júnior.

Hibernian

On 13 November 2008, Johansson signed a pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. He agreed an 18-month contract with Hibs, after his contract with Malmö FF expired at the end of the 2008 summer season in Sweden. Johansson was unable to sign for Hibs until 1 January due to the transfer window rules, but he began training with the Hibs squad in December 2008. He made his debut on 3 January 2009 against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby. Johansson scored his first goal for Hibs seven months after signing at East End Park against Dunfermline in a 4–0 friendly win, but he was expected to leave Hibernian due to the increased competition for places. His departure was confirmed on 1 September 2009.

St Johnstone

It only became apparent that Johansson had signed for St Johnstone on 27 October 2009 when he was named in the starting line-up for their Scottish League Cup quarter-final tie at home to Dundee United. He had previously been training with the club to maintain his fitness ahead of Finland's international matches earlier in the month. Johansson signed a short term contract which runs until January 2010. Johansson scored a winning goal for St Johnstone against Hearts on 21 November 2009, which was his first competitive goal in Scotland for ten years, when he was with Rangers. St Johnstone did not renew his short term contract and Johansson left the club.

Greenock Morton and an unnamed German club made Johansson contract offers, but Johansson rejected Morton's offer.

Return to TPS

It was announced on 8 February 2010 that Johansson would return to his former club after spending 14 years abroad. He scored his first goal (a penalty kick) for TPS in a Veikkausliga game against VPS Vaasa on 7 May. He also scored twice in the next match, against Inter, in the local derby of Turku. He also won the 2010 Finnish Cup, as TPS won 2–0 against HJK in the final. He finished the season with 10 goals, being the clubs second best goalscorer, only two goals behind Roope Riski. Johansson announced his retirement from professional football on 23 March 2011.

International

Johansson made his debut for the Finnish national team on 16 March 1996 against Kuwait, scoring the game's only goal. He was a regular member of the Finland squad and earned his 100th cap in October 2009. Johansson made a total of 106 appearances for Finland and scored 22 goals. Only Jari Litmanen has made more appearances for Finland than Johansson. Johansson is third in goals scored for Finland, after Litmanen and Mikael Forssell.

After scoring the opening goal in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Wales, Johansson was the subject of verbal criticism by Craig Bellamy.

Coaching career

Johansson worked for Greenock Morton as their reserve team coach in 2012. He moved to Motherwell in August 2012 to coach their under-20 team. Johansson left Motherwell in July 2015 and was replaced by Stephen Craigan. In December 2016, he was appointed as an assistant coach to Markku Kanerva for the Finland national team.

On 9 April 2017, he was announced as an assistant coach to Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha. After starting work with Rangers, Johansson left his position with the Finland national team.

International

As of 30 September 2010. Finland's score first.

Personal life

Johansson married Jean Anderson, a former Scottish television presenter who is from Port Glasgow, in June 2008.