Team CSUSA

Linus Månsson from Kungsbacka, Sweden works as a Sports Consultant out of our Stockholm office. He was studying, and played soccer, at both Northwest Nazarene University and California Baptist University, where he graduated in International Business. He works primarily with our soccer players.

Linus started his college career in Idaho, at Northwest Nazarene University in 2016, competing in the Great Northwest Atlantic Conference in NCAA D2. After two years there, Linus decided that he wanted to try a new adventure, and transferred to California Baptist University, playing in the Western Athletic Conference in NCAA D1. During his collegiate soccer career, Linus got awarded First Team All-Conference twice in GNAC, Second Team All-Region, and an Honorable Mention in the WAC his senior year.

At the California Baptist University, Linus graduated in 2019, with a bachelor’s degree in International Business. He finished with a GPA of 3.8 and a Magna Cum Laude Honor. During his time studying, Linus was a part of the School’s Dean’s list and the Conference’s All-Academic Team every year.

After graduating, Linus thought that his international experience was over and that he would move back to Sweden. However, he got offered to move to Málaga, Spain, and work for Oracle NetSuite where he stayed for two years. There, he also spent his time playing soccer at a lower level, for a team called Malaka. In 2022, he moved to Stockholm and worked for Normative, before joining CSUSA. He’s still actively playing soccer for IFK Lidingö in Stockholm.

Prior to the college adventure, Linus played youth soccer at a high level in Sweden, representing both Örgryte IS and Falkenbergs FF. There he played with both the U19 and U21 teams. Before pushing for a first team contract, Linus decided that he wanted to go a different route and explore the U.S. after his graduation from Elof Lindälvs Gymnasium in 2016. This decision made him earn a scholarship and move to Idaho.

“Deciding to study in the U.S. is a decision I will never regret. Being able to enjoy my soccer and academics in a balanced way is something you can’t do anywhere else. I was mind blown when I arrived to the USA and saw how professional and important sports are to universities, where I had multiple full-time professionals helping me perform to the highest of my capabilities. The schools were also very invested in my academics, to make sure that I did well and got my degree without any problems. Apart from that, I’m forever grateful for being able to see so many places and cities all over North America, making my experience after high school so much more enjoyable than what it could’ve been in Sweden.

I know moving from your home country at a young age might be difficult, as probably most of your friends will stay at home, but being brave is worth it and I would advise everyone who gets the chance to move to the U.S. as a student-athlete to take it! “

FAVORITE PLACE IN THE USA:

Los Angeles, California

FAVORITE FORMER COLLEGE ATHLETE:

Dr. Phil (University of Tulsa)

FAVORITE MOMENT IN COLLEGE CAREER:

Having friends and family visiting me for my commencement ceremony, seeing my grandma crying when I received my diploma.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“It’s not the destination, but the journey that really matters” – Ralph Waldo Emerson