Vålerenga Fotball endured a chaotic transfer window that culminated with captain Henrik Bjørdal being sold to Viking. This happened in the final hour of Deadline Day 2026, a day described as a dark day in the club's history according to TV 2.
Fans showed their discontent outside Intility Arena, but no club leadership appeared to speak with waiting media. Behind the scenes, sporting director Joacim Jonsson was stripped of his decision-making authority, and a transfer committee made the calls. The next challenge is an away derby against Lillestrøm on September 12th.
According to TV 2, sporting director Joacim Jonsson had no authority over the three transfers completed on Wednesday. A transfer committee consisting of the chairman, another board member, and a representative from the ownership company made the final decisions. This committee has existed for several years but was only now referenced publicly. Daily leader Svein Graff and Jonsson submitted recommendations to the committee but were not formal members.
None of this decisive committee were present at Intility on Deadline Day. Meetings regarding the sale of the captain and other players took place online. Consequently, no one was available to answer to the media waiting outside. Joacim Jonsson is practically already finished in his role and has not been seen at Intility in days.
Sporting director Joacim Jonsson announced he will leave Vålerenga after the season. He called it "the happy divorce". Jonsson said: "I leave Vålerenga with a smile on my face, and it will be the happy divorce where we celebrate both Christmas and birthdays with the ex after the break".
However, he has already been sidelined. TV 2 understands that friction over time had become so great that Jonsson had long been fed up with the job. He no longer had the operational leadership for player logistics that he previously held. When TV 2 attempted to get a comment from him, Jonsson replied: "It would be completely wrong of me to speak when I am not going to be involved further.".
Three players departed Vålerenga in the chaotic window. Captain and midfielder Henrik Bjørdal (29) was sold to Viking at the last minute. In addition, the promising youngster Promise Meliga (19) was sold to KFUM, while Mohamed Ofkir (30) chose to sign for HamKam over an offer from Vålerenga.
Simultaneously, the club brought in Dennis Gjengaar (22) from New York Red Bulls. This decision was also made by the transfer committee, not by Jonsson. These changes come as the team struggles on the pitch.
The morning after the captain's sale was confirmed, chairman Søren Eriksen resigned with immediate effect. He denied on the same day that there had been a power struggle between him and Jonsson. Jonsson's future for the remainder of the year is uncertain, even though it was officially stated he would continue. What is certain is that the period during which he was responsible for the sporting side is over.
The club now finds itself without an active sporting director and with a new chairman, as the team prepares for an important away derby. Vålerenga faces Lillestrøm at Åråsen stadium on Saturday, September 12th.
