New England Revolution sign forward Bjorn Runstrom

The New England Revolution signed Swedish forward Bjorn Runstrom on a free transfer, the club announced Wednesday. He will be formally added to the team’s roster upon receipt of his U.S. P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate and he will occupy an international slot on the team’s roster.

Runstrom, 28, trained with the Revolution during the club’s preseason preparations and scored one goal at the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.

“Bjorn’s signing provides us another attacking option and some flexibility on the field,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “He has extensive experience in Europe and he fit in well with our group in Arizona when he was training with us. As soon as all his Visa documents are in order, we look forward to his arrival and integrating him into the team.”

Runstrom began his professional career with Italy’s Bologna, where he was a member of the club’s youth team. After one year with Bologna, he then played successive Serie A seasons with Chievo Verona and Fiorentina, but saw limited time on the pitch as a teenager.

Following his time in Italy, Runstrom returned to his hometown club, Hammarby, where he played the next two-and-a-half seasons, making 57 appearances and scoring 18 goals. He then bounced around Europe, playing for Fulham and Luton Town in England, Germany’s Kaiserslautern, Odense Boldklub (OB) in Sweden and Molde in the Danish SuperLiga.

Runstrom returned to Hammarby in Feb. 2011 and made 24 appearances. He scored three goals and added three assists during the 2011 season before parting with the team upon the hire of former U.S. international Gregg Berhalter as manager.