Sporting Kansas City Welcomes Lasse Berg Johnsen from Malmö FF
Sporting Kansas City has made headlines today with the acquisition of 26-year-old midfielder Lasse Berg Johnsen, who joins from Swedish club Malmö FF. The announcement detailed that Berg Johnsen has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract that extends through the 2027-2028 season, with an option for 2028-2029. He will take an international spot on Sporting’s roster, pending the approval of his P1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.
Berg Johnsen boasts an impressive resume, having made 258 career appearances with a noteworthy tally of 18 goals and 21 assists. His professional journey has seen him play across Scandinavia, including stints in his native Norway and Denmark before making a mark in Sweden.
David Lee, President of Soccer Operations and General Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the new addition: “We are delighted to add Lasse to the team. He is a highly experienced and accomplished player in both the domestic and international game, and he arrives in Kansas City as he enters the prime of his career. Lasse possesses exceptional skill in possession and fits the profile of midfielder we wanted to enhance our squad. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a winning mentality, and his character will certainly elevate our locker room.”
Berg Johnsen started his career with Viking FK in Norway’s top league. After a loan spell at second-tier Tromsdalen in 2019 and a subsequent move to Raufoss in 2020, he accumulated 56 professional appearances by the age of 21.
His career took a significant turn in 2021 with a transfer to Randers FC in Denmark’s premier division. Over two years, he made 98 appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists. His contributions helped Randers clinch the 2021 Danish Cup and compete in various European tournaments, including UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
In the summer of 2023, Berg Johnsen transferred to Malmö FF, where he made an immediate impact. His efforts were pivotal in securing the Allsvenskan title during the dramatic conclusion of the season, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Elfsborg.
His success continued in 2024, as he recorded three goals and eight assists in a remarkable season for Malmö. He played a crucial role in securing both the Swedish league and cup titles, contributing decisively in the cup final by scoring the winning penalty against Djurgården.
Berg Johnsen took on leadership responsibilities in 2025, captaining the team on several occasions. He reached a personal milestone, netting a career-high seven goals while appearing in 43 competitive matches, including European competitions. However, Malmö’s quest for a second consecutive Swedish Cup victory fell short, as they lost on penalties to BK Häcken in the final.
On the international stage, Berg Johnsen has represented Norway three times, making his debut in November 2024 during a UEFA Nations League match against Slovenia. He has since participated in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, contributing to victories over Israel and Estonia in 2025.
As Sporting Kansas City gears up for the 2026 MLS season, they’ll make their league debut against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park this Saturday, February 21, at 9:30 p.m. CT. They will then return to Kansas City for their home opener against the Columbus Crew on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
With the addition of Berg Johnsen, Sporting Kansas City now has 21 players under contract for the upcoming season. Fans can find a full list of the club’s offseason roster changes at sportingkc.com/transactions.
Roster Overview
- Goalkeepers (4): Stefan Cleveland, Jack Kortkamp, John Pulskamp, Ryan Schewe
- Defenders (6): Zorhan Bassong, Ian James, Wyatt Meyer, Jansen Miller, Jayden Reid, Justin Reynolds
- Midfielders (6): Kwaku Agyabeng, Jacob Bartlett, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Jake Davis, Manu Garcia, Cielo Tschantret
- Forwards (5): Stephen Afrifa, Calvin Harris, Dejan Joveljic, Daniel Salloi, Shapi Suleymanov
Transaction Details
Sporting Kansas City (MLS) acquires midfielder Lasse Berg Johnsen in transfer from Malmö FF (Sweden).
VITAL Stats:
- Name: Lasse Berg Johnsen (LAH-seh)
- Number: 4
- Position: Midfielder
- Birthdate: August 18, 1999 (26 years old)
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Hometown: Stavanger, Norway
- Citizenship: Norway
- Instagram: @lasse.bjohnsen
Sporting Kansas City looks to harness Berg Johnsen’s talent and experience as they embark on a new chapter in the league.
