Blackburn snap up Johansson

Blackburn Rovers FC have signed Swedish defender Nils-Eric Johansson from Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg.

Confident of staying up
The German side announced that Johansson has joined Blackburn ‘with immediate effect’. The player said: “I'm really looking forward to the challenge of the Premier League. I'm very sure the club will stay in the top-flight of English football.”

Nürnberg promotion
 Johansson, who previously played in Sweden with AIK Solna, spent the 1999-2000 campaign with FC Bayern München. After moving to Nürnberg last season, he helped them win promotion but they are currently 15th in the league with only seven points from eight games. Johansson has been ever-present so far.

Great time
“I had a great time here in Nürnberg when we got promoted, both personally and with the whole team,'' he added. “Everything was super. I am convinced that Nürnberg will stay in the Bundesliga as well.”

Replacement signed
Nürnberg president Michael A Roth said: “Nisse was a top player for us. This is a chance we do not want to keep from him. We have got Stephan Passlack who is going to take his place.” Nürnberg moved quickly to reinforce their rearguard by buying Passlack from TSV 1860 München. “Passlack is a good player who is replacing me. I wish him and the club good luck,” said Johansson.