From Carew to Riise, then Solbakken: Scandinavia's love affair with Roma
Club News·17 July 2026·1h ago

From Carew to Riise, then Solbakken: Scandinavia's love affair with Roma

Source: Il Romanista

Antonio Nusa could become only the fourth Norwegian player to wear Roma's yellow and red since the club's founding in 1927. The Scandinavian connection has produced three memorable figures across two decades. John Alieu Carew arrived in summer 2003 on loan with a purchase option from Valencia, almost 23 years ago when Nusa was not yet born. The imposing centre-forward scored on his Serie A debut against Brescia and in his UEFA Cup bow versus Vardar, finishing with 8 goals in 29 appearances before departing after a single season. His Roma stint became legendary for unforgettable celebrations—pouring a bucket of water under the Curva Sud after scoring against Reggina, and cradling a Roma ballboy following his Lecce goal.

John Arne Riise, born in Ålesund some 533 kilometres from Carew's hometown of Lørenskog, proved far more enduring. The left-back, called "Roscio" by Roma supporters, left Liverpool after seven years to become the club's strongest Norwegian export and most beloved. Playing 131 times, Riise scored 11 goals with his powerful left foot and remains Norway's all-time caps leader. His header in January 2010 clinched a famous 3–1 victory at Juventus, ending a nine-year drought there, while a strike against Siena followed immediately after. Those goals fuelled Ranieri's dramatic title push toward Inter, though the Scudetto slipped away in the season's final matches. Riise departed in July 2011 but remains emotionally tied to the club.

Ola Solbakken, signed in January 2023 at no fee after a hat-trick performance for Bodø, became the third Norwegian. He debuted against Fiorentina that month and scored his sole goal in February during a 3–2 win at Verona—his first game as a starter—before fading from the picture. Nusa now carries the mantle following spells in Belgium and Germany.

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Testo Originale / Source Text

Il vento del nord, a volte, soffia forte fino alla Capitale. Direttamente dalla Scandinavia, precisamente dalla Norvegia. Sì, perché Antonio Nusa potrebbe essere solamente il quarto calciatore norvegese a vestire la maglia giallorossa. Dal 1927, solamente in 3 occasioni un giocatore dei Løvene è…

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