'I prefer to assist than score' - NXGN star Johannesson out to emulate his idol De Bruyne

FC Copenhagen wonderkid Isak Bergmann Johannesson has spoken of his admiration for Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, despite growing up as a Manchester United fan.

Johannesson, who has been included on the NXGN 2022 list of the best teenage footballers in the world, spent the early years of his life in England, and was a regular visitor to Old Trafford.

But the 19-year-old has picked out De Bruyne as the player he idolises, citing his own love of assisting goals as being similar to that of the Belgian playmaker's.

Speaking exclusively to GOAL about his own abilities, Johannesson said: "I can play in many positions. I think I read the game well and I know what to do on the pitch.

"I can run a lot and I have good awareness and technique on the pitch. I can score and assist. I prefer to assist than to score, and I love to help my team-mates.

"My favourite player is Kevin De Bruyne. I love how decisive he is, but he does it while running a lot and helping the team."

Johannesson burst onto the scene while playing for Swedish side IFK Norrkoping and was regularly scouted by elite clubs from around Europe.

He eventually left to join Copenhagen in the summer of 2021, with the Danish outfit paying €4.5 million (£3.7m/$5m) to sign him. He has gone on to contribute six combined goals and assists in his first season at the Parken Stadium.

Already a full Iceland international, Johannesson was born, however, in England while his father, Joey Gudjonsson, was playing in the Premier League.

"We lived in Worsley in Manchester. Ryan Giggs lived just up the road," Johannesson recalled. "I saw that Manchester United team in 2007-09 with [Wayne] Rooney, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez.

"It was nice to be there when that was