Viktor Johansson
{{short description|Swedish footballer (born 1998)}}
{{for|the Swedish swimmer|Victor Johansson}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Viktor Johansson
|image = Viktorjohansson (cropped).jpg
|image_size =
|caption = Johansson training with Rotherham United in 2020.
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|14|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|position = Goalkeeper
|currentclub = Stoke City
|clubnumber = 1
|youthyears1 = 2010–2012
|youthclubs1 = Stuvsta
|youthyears2 = 2012–2015
|youthclubs2 = Hammarby
|youthyears3 = 2015–2017
|youthclubs3 = Aston Villa
|years1 = 2017–2018
|clubs1 = Aston Villa
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2018
|clubs2 = → Alfreton Town (loan)
|caps2 = 9
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2018–2020
|clubs3 = Leicester City
|caps3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2020–2024
|clubs4 = Rotherham United
|caps4 = 135
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2024–
|clubs5 = Stoke City
|caps5 = 46
|goals5 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2013
|nationalteam1 = Sweden U17
|nationalcaps1 = 2
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|nationalyears2 = 2016–2018
|nationalteam2 = Sweden U19
|nationalcaps2 = 8
|nationalgoals2 = 0
|nationalyears3 = 2019
|nationalteam3 = Sweden U21
|nationalcaps3 = 1
|nationalgoals3 = 0
|nationalyears4 = 2023–
|nationalteam4 = Sweden
|nationalcaps4 = 8
|nationalgoals4 = 0
|club-update = 13:42, 3 May 2025 (UTC)
|ntupdate = 22:24, 25 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Viktor Tobias Johansson (born 14 September 1998) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|StokeCty}} club Stoke City and the Sweden national team.
A product of the Hammarby and Aston Villa academies, Johansson spent two years at Premier League side Leicester City but only appeared in EFL Trophy matches for their U21 side. He joined Rotherham United in September 2020. In 2021–22 he helped Rotherham gain promotion to the Championship and win the EFL Trophy. He spent four seasons at the New York Stadium before leaving for Stoke City in May 2024.
He has represented Sweden at youth and senior international levels.
Club career
=Early career=
Johansson spent his early career with Stuvsta, Hammarby, Aston Villa, Alfreton Town and Leicester City.{{Cite web|url=https://www2.svenskfotboll.se/landslag/landslagsdatabas/landslagsspelare/?fplid=cd5f525f-e089-4014-9499-7b69edac1c64|title=Landslagsdatabasen: Viktor Johansson|website=svenskfotboll.se}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/794444|title=Swedish Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson Joins Development Squad|website=lcfc.com}}
=Rotherham United=
In September 2020 he signed for Rotherham United.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54000615|title=Rotherham sign goalkeeper Johansson|work=BBC Sport }} He made his first appearance in a 2–1 win at home against Preston North End on 7 November 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2020/november/match-report-for-rotherham-united-vs-preston-north-end-on-07-nov-20/|title=REPORT | Rotherham 2 v 1 Preston|website=themillers.co.uk}} Johansson was praised for his performances in 2020–21 and he received the club's Young Player of the Year award. The Millers suffered relegation on the final day of the season.{{cite web |title=Cardiff City 1–1 Rotherham: Paul Warne's Millers relegated to Sky Bet League One |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/cardiff-city-vs-rotherham-united/430249 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=4 July 2024}} Johansson helped Rotherham gain an instant return to the Championship in 2021–22 finishing 2nd and also winning the EFL Trophy final at Wembley after beating Sutton United 4–2.{{cite web |title=Gillingham 0–2 Rotherham: Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Georgie Kelly secure promotion |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/gillingham-vs-rotherham-united/448434 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=4 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Long|first1=Dan |title=Rotherham 4–2 Sutton AET: Paul Warne's Millers win 2021/22 Papa John's Trophy|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11747/12576898/rotherham-4-2-sutton-aet-paul-warne-s-millers-win-2021-22-papa-john-s-trophy|publisher=Sky Sports}}
Johansson later recorded the Championship's highest goals prevented statistic of 8.5 goals prevented across the entire season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4685335/2023/08/02/efl-ones-to-watch-viktor-johansson/|title=EFL ones to watch – Rotherham's Viktor Johansson: From non-League to the Sweden squad|first=Nancy Froston and Thom|last=Harris|website=The Athletic|date=2 August 2023 }} Johansson was linked with moves away from the club throughout the season{{Cite web|url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/who-viktor-johansson-rotherham-united-27187890|title=Viktor Johansson enjoys 'outstanding' campaign prompts Leeds United links|first=Matty|last=Hewitt|date=24 June 2023|website=Leeds Live}} but he opted to sign a new contract with the club, running until summer 2025.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64188230|title=Rotherham keeper Johansson signs new contract|work=BBC Sport }} His performances were recognised by the club and manager, winning his first Player of the Year award.{{cite news |title=The Advertiser's Rotherham United Player of the Year, plus what fans have had to say about him
|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/the-advertisers-rotherham-united-player-of-the-year-plus-what-fans-have-had-to-say-about-him-4322935|work=Rotherham Advertiser |date=18 May 2023}} Manager Matt Taylor singled out Johansson as the star performer in the team stating "he's the best goalkeeper in the championship" and his shot stopping ability was at times "in the world class category."{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Davis |work=Rotherham Advertiser |date=15 October 2023 |url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/rotherham-united-player-ratings-marks-for-matt-taylors-men-so-far-this-season-4372702|title=Rotherham United player ratings … marks for Matt Taylor's men so far this season}}
Following relegation in the 2023–24 season, local media reported that Johansson had a £1 million relegation release clause in his contract.{{cite web |last1=Wobschall |first1=Leon |title=Beers are on Rotherham United keeper Viktor Johansson as Sheffield United target reveals incredible fans' gesture ahead of final-day game with Cardiff City |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/beers-are-on-rotherham-united-keeper-viktor-johansson-as-sheffield-united-target-reveals-incredible-fans-gesture-ahead-of-final-day-game-with-cardiff-city-4613508 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=2 May 2024}} As a thank you to the Rotherham United fans, Johansson paid for 600 free pints of beer prior to the club's last game of the season against Cardiff City.
=Stoke City=
Johansson joined Stoke City on 18 May 2024, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Goalkeeper Johansson makes Stoke City move |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2024/may/18/Goalkeeper-Johansson-makes-Stoke-City-move/ |website=Stoke City |date=18 May 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjmml0zv722o|title=Stoke sign goalkeeper Viktor Johansson from Rotherham|date=18 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}} Johansson played in all 46 of Stoke's Championship matches in 2024–25, as they avoided relegation on the final day of the season, finishing in 18th.{{cite web |title=Derby County 0–0 Stoke City: Both teams survive after goalless draw |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/derby-county-vs-stoke-city/509886 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=8 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=Staying up a relief, not a celebration – Johansson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8g5n33yjyo |website=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025}} His performances during the season saw him named as player of the year.{{cite web|title=City's super Swede scoops Player of the Season award|url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/april/25/citys-super-swede-scoops-player-of-the-season-award/|website=Stoke City|accessdate=8 May 2024}}
International career
Johansson has represented Sweden at under-17, under-19 and under-21 youth levels.{{cite web |url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/viktor-johansson/cd5f525f-e089-4014-9499-7b69edac1c64/ |title=Viktor Johansson – Spelarstatistik – Svensk fotboll |website=svenskfotboll.se|date=18 November 2019 }} In March 2023, he received his first call-up to the Swedish senior national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=Truppen till första EM-kvalmatcherna |url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/nyheter/landslag/2023/03/trupp-till-forsta-em-kvalmatcherna/ |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=Swedish Football Association |language=sv}} Johansson received his first cap for Sweden when he came on at half time against Moldova in October 2023.{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Paul |title=Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson wins his first Sweden international cap|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/rotherham-united-goalkeeper-viktor-johansson-wins-his-first-sweden-international-cap-4370474|work=Rotherham Advertiser |date=12 October 2023}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|viktor-johansson/345601}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals | |||||||||
| Aston Villa
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2017}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alfreton Town (loan)
|9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Leicester City
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2018}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| 2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2019}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Leicester City U21
|colspan="1"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|colspan="1"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||
| rowspan=5|Rotherham United
|2020–21{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2020}} |Championship |21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | |
| 2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2021}}
|26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2022}}
|Championship |43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 44 | 0 | |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2023}}
|Championship |45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!135 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 144 | 0 |
| Stoke City
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=110987|season=2024}} |Championship |46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 49 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!191 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 208 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|25 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team !Year !Apps !Goals |
| rowspan="4" |Sweden |
| 2023
|1 |0 |
| 2024
|6 |0 |
| 2025
|1 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!8 !0 |
|---|
Honours
Rotherham United
- League One runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61198302 |title=Rotherham win to go up and relegate Gillingham |website=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=6 February 2023}}
- EFL Trophy: 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60973705 |title=Rotherham United 4–2 Sutton United |first=Chris |last=Peddy |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2022 |access-date=3 April 2022}}
Individual
- Rotherham United Young Player of the Season: 2020–21{{Cite web |date=15 June 2021 |title=READ {{!}} Viktor named Young Player of the Year|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2021/june/read--viktor-named-young-player-of-the-season/|access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Rotherham United F.C.|language=en-gb}}
- Rotherham United Player of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24{{cite web |title=Johansson named as Player of the Season |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2024/may/read--johansson-named-as-player-of-the-year/ |website=Rotherham United |access-date=8 May 2025}}
- Stoke City Player of the Year: 2024–25
- Swedish Goalkeeper of the Year: 2024{{cite web|url=https://svff.svenskfotboll.se/om-svff/historik/fotbollsgalan/ovriga-utmarkelser/|title=Övriga utmärkelser|access-date=22 January 2025|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=sv}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Rotherham United F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Stoke City F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Stoke City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johansson, Viktor}}
Category:Swedish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Hammarby Fotboll players
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Swedish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Swedish expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Sweden men's youth international footballers
Category:Sweden men's under-21 international footballers