Ronny Johnsen - Defender Date of Birth: June 10, 1969 Birthplace: Sandefjord, Norway Nationality: Norwegian Height: 1.90m / 6'3" Previous Clubs: Manchester United, Besiktas (Turkey), Lillestrøm (Norway), Lyn Oslo (Norway), Eik Tonsberg (Norway), Stokke (Norway). Joined Villa: August 29, 2002 Acquisition Price: Free transfer Debut: September 11, 2002 (Charlton (h)) Contract expires: Summer 2003

Johnsen got his first international break when he was picked up by Turkish side Besiktas. In the summer of 1996, Manchester United beat off competition from Wolverhampton and a string of other English clubs. Johnsen was one of the corner stones in 1998/99 when United secured "the treble". However, his entire 99/2000 season was spent with the physio where he recovered from several serious injuries, mainly to the knees.

As the injuries continues throughout the 2001/2002 season, he was not offered a new contract by Alex Ferguson when the summer arrived. It looked like Johnsen was bound for German side Schalke 04, but in the end Aston Villa pulled the longest straw.

The fans of Norway's international side call him 'The Norwegian Beckenbauer'.