16 Facts About Michael Svensson

Michael Lennart Svensson was born on 25 November 1975 and is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Michael Svensson represented IFK Varnamo, Halmstads BK, Troyes, and Southampton during a career that spanned between 1995 and 2013.

Michael Svensson began to be noticed by bigger clubs when Halmstads BK won the Swedish championship in 2000.

Michael Svensson was transferred to Troyes AC in 2001, helping the club to seventh position in the French First Division in his only season.

Michael Svensson arrived at Southampton just after being a member of Sweden's squad at the 2002 World Cup.

Michael Svensson immediately struck up a rapport with Claus Lundekvam at the centre of the Saints defence.

Michael Svensson is a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-half but likes to play the ball out of defence and get forward to help out in attack.

On 23 May 2007, it was announced that Michael Svensson would undergo further surgery in an attempt to save his career.

In July 2008, Southampton announced that Michael Svensson "could be on the verge of a remarkable footballing comeback" following a visit to a specialist rehabilitation centre in Italy.

Michael Svensson completed a pre-season friendly against Winchester City in July 2008 and was in with a chance of making a full recovery from his injury.

Michael Svensson played three more league games that month, with his final competitive appearance coming in the League Cup against Rotherham United on 23 September 2008.

On 24 January 2009, Michael Svensson joined new manager Mark Wotte's coaching staff as an assistant first team coach alongside Dean Gorre.

On 25 June 2009, Michael Svensson announced his retirement from the playing side of the game, exactly seven years to the day after he was first unveiled at St Mary's as Gordon Strachan's only summer signing of 2002 and thus severed the last remaining link on the playing side with the 2003 FA Cup final, in which he had played the full 90 minutes.

Michael Svensson made his debut in the Sweden national team on 17 August 1999 against Austria.

Michael Svensson was a member of the Sweden squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he was not played.

Michael Svensson was initially named in Sweden's UEFA Euro 2004 squad but had to withdraw through injury and was replaced by Alexander Ostlund.