Fredrik Ljungberg Profile

PERSONAL PROFILE
Name: Karl Frederik Ljungberg
Date of Birth: 16 April 1977
Birthplace: Vittsjo, Sweden
Nationality: Swedish
Height: 176 cm (5ft 9in)
Weight: 75 kg (10st 8lb)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown (Red Stripe)
Residence: London
Martial status: Single
Current club: Arsenal
Position: Midfield
Squad number: 8 (9 for Sweden)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Previous Clubs:
Halmstads BK (Sweden), Arsenal (England)

1982 - Makes first training appearance with Halmstads, aged 5
1994 - Makes debut for Halmstads against AIK
1995 - Scores first goal in the Allsvensken League
1995 - Wins Swedish Cup with Halmstads
1996 - Makes debut for U21 Swedish team.
1997 - Wins Allsvensken League title with Halmstads
1998 - Makes debut for Swedish National team against USA
1998 - Joins Arsenal for £3m.
1998 - Makes Premiership debut against Manchester United.

• Voted People's Choice & 'Midfielder of the Year' in Sweden

1999 - Wins Charity Shield against Manchester United.
2001 - Signs new 5 year deal with Arsenal

• Voted 4th in Swedish Elle magazines 'Good Looking Man' poll

2002 - Arsenal win FA Cup
2002 - Arsenal win FA Premiership title

• Voted Barclaycard Player of the Month - April 2002
• Voted FA Barclaycard Player of the Year
• Voted Swedish Player of the Year - "Guldbollen" award

2003 - Arsenal win FA Cup
2004 - Arsenal win FA Premiership title

• Voted Swedish Midfielder of the Year 2004

2005 - Arsenal win FA Cup
2006 - Appointed Captain of the Sweden National Team

• Voted Swedish Player of the Year - "Guldbollen" award

CAREER HISTORY
Who's the cheeky looking Swede with the red stripe in his hair? Fredrik Ljungberg that's who!! Freddie Ljungberg is one of the hardest working players in the FA Premiership. Be it international and domestic duty Freddie uses his football skills to thwart the opposition and make the opportunities to score that have made him a much admired player. A streak of red on the pitch like his hairstyle.

Fredrik Ljungberg was born on 16 April 1977 in a small Swedish town called Vittsjö, in the south of Sweden. Living there until he was 5 years old he then moved the few mile north to Halmstad on the Swedish coast. It was here that his climb up the footballing ladder started with his first training sessions with Halmstad BK. He still has the football boots he wore then as a keep sake.

Coming from a sporting family, Freddie wasn't just interested in football. Ice Hockey and Handball were two other sports he participated in on a regular basis. In 1989 he decided to drop Ice Hockey to concentrate on the other two. A year later his talent in handball was recognised with a call up to the national handball squad but he ultimately had to make a choice of which path to follow and chose football over handball.

Freddie continued to train with Halmstad and he was rewarded with his debut for the club on 23 October 1994 against AIK in the Allsvenskan first division league, which they unfortunately lost 2-1.

The following season he is a regular in the senior team scoring his first goals and helping Halmstad win the Swedish Cup. His footballing talent and skill over the next two seasons saw him selected for the Swedish U-21 national squad and resulting in 1997 with Halmstad winning the Allsvenkan league title.

In 1998 he was called up to the Swedish national team and made his debut on 24 January against the USA. He scored his first senior goal for Sweden a few months later against Denmark. He also played for Sweden in the U-21 European Championships this year. His footballing ability was not going unnoticed abroad and six days after playing an international against England in September 1998 he was signed for London club, Arsenal.

Freddie's first appearance for Arsenal was perfect. Making his debut against Premiership giants Manchester United on 20 September 1998, coming on as a substitute in the second half, he scored his first goal helping Arsenal win the match and almost immediately justifying the £3m price tag. An ankle injury would tarnish this year however, resulting in him starting just 21 matches this season.

The following season saw Freddie and his red stripe come into his own. Now a regular in the senior squad he successfully replaced Marc Overmars, who has left for Barcelona. With Arsenal he won the FA Charity Shield against Manchester United and scored his second goal against United later in the year. At the end of the season he was called up to play for Sweden in the European Championships 2000. He also signed a new 5-year contract with Arsenal.

Freddie's importance to Arsenal in the following season was evident. In the 2001-2002 season he was instrumental in helping Arsenal win the Cup Double. Scoring a decisive goal in the FA Cup and scoring 17 goals (12 in the Premiership) to enable Arsenal to win the Premiership title.

A hip injury resulted in a limited role in the World Cup 2002, playing in just two matches, and having to endure three months rehabilitation and playing in reserve team matches. He recovered though and returned to the Arsenal team in September. His first match return though was typical scoring a goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Now firmly a part of the Arsenal line up, Freddie has become on of the main players of note in the Premiership as well as being one of the most recognised. With his red stripe hairstyle and trendy fashion sense he is also one of the Premierships trend setters.

© Copyright Paul Siddall 2000-2006