Phoenix Rising FC has recalled defender John Stenberg from his loan to Östers IF, the club announced today. Stenberg will be added to the Rising FC active roster pending receipt of his work authorization.
“John brings leadership, character and a great range of passing to our back line,” said Rising Head Coach Juan Guerra. “His capacity to defend bigger spaces and provide cover on set pieces will be a huge asset for us moving forward.”
Originally signed on December 14, 2022, Stenberg was loaned back to his former club on March 6, 2023, due to complications relating to his work visa. He played in 13 matches across all competitions this season. Öster currently sits third in the league with a record of 9-5-2.
“We’ve kept in touch since November,” said Guerra. “We’ve been keeping an eye on him. The last game he played was on July 23, so he is full of rhythm and in great shape. The [Superettan] is a very technical league. It adapts well to the way we want to play. Players in that league attack with a lot of speed and we play in a league that is very transitional, so I believe his adaptation is going to go very fast.”
Prior to signing with Phoenix, Stenberg spent the 2021-22 seasons with Öster. The six-foot-three-inch center back found the back of the net three times in 57 Superettan matches. He began his professional career as a 23-year-old in the Swedish third division with Carlstad United. He played 51 matches with the club prior to it merging with Karlstad BK to form IF Karlstad in 2019. Stenberg played 18 games for IF Karlstad before enjoying a breakout season with Dalkurd in the Superettan the following year. Stenberg scored four goals in 29 appearances for Dalkurd in 2021.
Transaction: Rising loans John Stenberg to Östers IF
Name: John Stenberg
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
DOB: Oct. 12, 1992
Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden
Previous club: Östers IF
Instagram: @ j0hnstenberg
