Johansson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and started his career in Finland in his hometown club Pargas IF. In 1995, he moved on to the Veikkausliiga club TPS Turku. He went on to score six goals in 32 league appearances in his first season and was chosen to play in the Finland Under-21 team. In 1997, he transferred to FC Flora Tallinn, becoming the first Finnish player to move to an Estonian club. During this time he broke into the senior Finland team – his blond, curly locks earned him the nickname 'Tintti' (Tintin) with national team supporters.