SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia—Clubs from Major League Soccer, France and Turkey have joined the queue for unsettled Litex Lovech strike ace Bjorn Maars Johnsen, MLSsoccer.com has learned.
As initially reported by MLSsoccer.com in October, the 24-year-old North Carolina still has interest from the 2. Bundesliga in Germany, plus the top flights in Greece, the Netherlands and Russia. Whether Johnsen moves this month or not largely hinges on whether Litex's December expulsion from the Bulgarian A-PFG is upheld this week.
"There are many teams interested in Bjorn from different leagues in Europe, but also from MLS," confirmed Johnsen rep Frederik Risp, to MLSsoccer.com. "We are waiting on the decision from the Bulgarian FA before anything will happen with Bjorn."
Johnsen, who has eight goals in 23 appearances on the current campaign, was one of two Litex players sent off during the first half of a December 16 league match at Levski Sofia. Oranges sport directer Stoycho Stoilov ordered the players to leave the pitch in protest, incurring a 3-0 forfeit loss for that game and the resulting automatic league ejection for abandoning a match.
Litex began midseason camp last week holding hope of being restored to the championship on appeal, with Johnsen among the players returning to take part. Two players have already departed on transfers, including league top scorer Dayro Moreno, who made the move to UAE side Al-Ain.
Should they be granted a reprieve, Litex – who stand five points shy of leaders Ludogorets through 20 of 32 rounds – will resume league play by hosting cellar dwellers Montana on February 20.
