The Norwegian director, who grew up in Sweden, will work with managing directors Anthea Benton and Chris McBride at the production company Believe Media, which has offices in London, New York and Los Angeles.
Haagen has earned numerous industry accolades across Europe and the US with car spots including Volkswagen's "seats", the Volvo XV90 ad "shark cage" and Saab 95's "para sailor".
Haagen said: "I think that the great thing about joining Believe, is that it's an opportunity to be part of a new company in the UK, but one which has the substantial backing of its successful counterpart in the US."
He is renowned for his hand-on attitude to his work, notably for "shark cage" in which he did part of the dive himself, and for his visual style by experimenting with frame speeds and angles.
The 2003 Levi's ad, created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty, was shot in New York and showed a couple walking through the streets before a herd of bison charge through the city. The couple, wearing their Levi's jeans, turn around to face the stampede, which parts around them with the strapline: "Levi's Type 1 Jeans. Bold since 1873".
Anthea Benton, managing director of Believe Media, said: "He has the perfect big three combination of cool comedy performance, a brilliant eye and fantastic technical ability. He also possesses a truly inspiring ability to infect all those around him with his enthusiasm, passion and charisma."
Haagen is believed to be looking at a number of projects to work on in the near future with interest from clients in Europe and US.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the