He has previously represented Faroe Islands national team, but due to the structure of the Danish Realm Greenlandic and Faeroese players can themselves decide which national team they wish to represent.[2] As Hansen had already played for Faroe Islands national team, his wishes to representing the Danish national team resulted in a two-year suspension from international handball. Former Danish national coach Ulrik Wilbek expressed that he hoped and wished for Jóhan Hansen to change his nationality in order to be available for the Danish national team.[3]
Club career
Childhood and youth
Hansen started his handball career with the Faroese club Kyndil in Thórshavn at the age of 4, coached by his aunt Marjun á Plógv. Until the age of 10 he played as a goal keeper just like his aunt, but then he changed to play as right backcourt. He played football alongside his handball, he played with Havnar Bóltfelag (HB Tórshavn) and made the cut for the Faroe Islands U15 national football team.[4] In the end, he stuck with handball.[5]
Skanderborg Håndbold
In 2010 he was selected to join SHEA – Skanderborg Håndbold Elite Academy and moved to Denmark shortly after turning 16 years old.
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
On 3 March 2015 it was announced that Johan Hansen would join Bjerringbro-Silkeborg on a three-year contract, starting at the 2015–16 season.[6][7] The transfer meant that Johan Hansen was bought free of his contract with Skanderborg Håndbold, with whom he had one year left on his contract.
Jóhan á Plógv Hansen won silver with the Danish national U21 handball team in 2015 in Brazil. He was chosen as one of the best players and became one of the All Star team as the best right wing player.[9][10]
After switching allegiance, Jóhan á Plógv Hansen became a regular with Denmark and he was part of the teams winning a record-breaking three consecutive World Championship: on home soil (shared host with Germany) in 2019, in Egypt in 2021, and in Poland and Sweden in 2023.
