Born: Vardø, Norway, 8 January 1991
Position: Central midfielder
International caps: 55
International goals: 6
Signed: 26 August 2016 from Celtic (£2m)
Fulham debut: Fulham 0-1 Birmingham City, 10 September 2016
Fulham appearances: 142
Fulham goals: 21
Honours: EFL Championship play-off winner (2018; 2020)
Sold: 24 July 2021 to Queens Park Rangers (£450,000)
Norwegian international Stefan Johansen shrugged off a slow start to his Fulham career following a £2m from Celtic in August 2016 to become a key component of the stylish side that eventually won promotion to the top flight under Slavisa Jokanovic. Johansen forged a fabulous understanding with his fellow midfielders Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald, quickly becoming a fans’ favourite for his ability on the ball and the amount of grass he covered throughout a frenetic ninety minutes.
The all-action midfielder scored thirteen goals in his first campaign at Craven Cottage, but arguably his influence increased in the following season when, after a brief spell as a false nine, he was one of the key orchestrators of an amazing 23-match unbeaten run that lifted the Whites from mid-table mediocrity to the automatic promotion race. Johansen helped set up Cairney’s matchwinner in the play-off against Aston Villa, but was then underused by all three managers in the top flight.
Having helped Fulham reach the top flight again in 2020 and been overlooked again, it was no surprise that one of the club’s most consistent performers would eventually look for regular football. He is now captain of our near neighbours Queens Park Rangers.
