John Alvbåge
- Years with club: 2017 (Loan)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Nationality: Swedish
- Acquisition: Loaned from IFK Göteborg on January 25, 2017
John Alvbåge is a veteran Swedish international goalkeeper who was brought to Minnesota United FC on a short-term loan for the club’s inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in 2017. He arrived with extensive experience, including being named the 2015 Allsvenskan Goalkeeper of the Year in Sweden’s top league and serving as a backup for the Sweden national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His acquisition was intended to provide an experienced number one goalkeeper for the expansion side.
Key stats with Minnesota United (MLS):
- MLS regular season appearances: 3
- Total minutes played: 222
- Acquisition: Loaned from IFK Göteborg until July 15, 2017, with an option to extend.
- Departure: Returned to IFK Göteborg after his initial loan spell due to injury and the club declining the option.
Memorable moments:
- Expansion goalkeeper: He started the first two games in Minnesota United’s MLS history.
- International experience: He was a full international for Sweden with four caps and a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad.
- Injury and departure: His time in Minnesota was cut short by injury, and the club decided not to exercise the option on his loan, instead relying on the emergent Bobby Shuttleworth.
Where is he now?:
- After leaving Minnesota in 2017, Alvbåge continued his playing career with several clubs in Sweden, Norway, and Cyprus, including Stabæk, Omonia, and IK Sirius.
- He officially retired from professional football on July 27, 2022.
- Alvbåge is currently working as a goalkeeping coach in Sweden, with recent affiliation to Tveter IL in Norway.
