Sam Johnson has bid farewell to Asian football after making a return to Europe to join a Norwegian club. The former Nimba Football Club forward sealed a move to Norway to sign with Oslo-based Valerenga.

The 24-year-old attacker landed in Oslo on Tuesday and completed his medical before signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

Johnson, who last played for Wuhan Zall in the Chinese League One, was excited about his new challenge. In an interview with the club after completing the move, Johnson said the club’s home kit with red, white, and blue colors, similar to the Liberian national team colors, makes him feel at home already.

“I always love to do my best to make the fans of the club happy. I have come to play with all my heart,” he said. “I have come to work hard to make the club proud and myself too. I came here to do my best. To the fans, Sam Johnson is here to give his best. I cannot do more than my best but willing to do my best to make you guys happy and to make them believe in the player that got signed. I look forward to getting started at the club.”

Johnson saw his big money move to China cut short when Wuhan Zall put an end to his three and a half year deal after completing one and half years. He joined the Chinese club in July 2016 and made a quick impact as he went on to score six goals in eleven games to help Wuhan Zall move off the bottom of the table. However, he was surprisingly moved off the starting team by coaches.

Johnson will now join his new teammates in training as they prepare for the 2018 season that is set to begin on the 10^th of March. The club will play its first match of the 2018 season on Monday, March 12 when they travel away at Kristiansund. Before their opening match, there will be six test matches in which Sam is expected to make an appearance before making his official league debut when the season begins.

Featured photo courtesy of Valerenga