Kjell Olofsson

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Kjell Olofsson (born 23 July 1965 in Gothenburg) is a (former) Swedish footballer.

Olofsson is perhaps best know for his time with Scottish club Dundee United with whom he joined at the start of the 1996/97 season.

Brought in by then manager Tommy McLean he made his debut as a a trialist in the 1-0 victory over Hearts at Tannadice on 26 October 1996, along with fellow Scandanavian Erik Pedersen. Kjell scored his first goal seven days later in a 3-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park and he instantly became a fan-favourite. In his first season he finished top goal scorer with a total of 13 goals in 28 games. He played his part in impressive wins over both Rangers & Celtic and United only lost four matches in which he appeared and finished in an unlikely third place in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division the previous season.

In his second season (1997-1998) he again finished top goalscorer with 23 goals. The season started promisingly for United, with an early 17-0 aggregate UEFA cup win over Andorran side CE Principat which saw Olofsson score his first, and only, European goal for the club. However despite Kjell's goals United failed to live up to the glory of the previous season and only finished 7th in the SPL. The season did provide Kjell a medal, sadly for him and United fans it was only a runners up medal in the Scottish League Cup (they lost a distinctively one-sided final 3-0 to Celtic)

His final season at United (1998-1999) was less successful. He failed to score and United failed to win in the opening six games and this was followed by the sacking of manager Tommy McLean. However he was firmly in the plans of new manager Paul Sturrock, and in Sturrock's second game in charge (a 2-2 draw with local rivals Dundee) he netted his first goal of the season. Though 7 days later, in a match that would be United's first win of the season, it would turn sour for Kjell as he received only his second caution and first ever red card in Scottish football in the 3-1 win over St Johnstone on 26 September 1998. He was suspended for the following game, a 1-0 win over Aberdeen, though despite the win he was straight back in the team the next week. United fans had to wait another seven games to see his second goal of the season, which came in the 3-0 win against Aberdeen on the 28 November 1998. On 2 January 1999 Kjell scored his third goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Dundee, a game that would trigger Kjell's scoring form as he scored 7 goals in the next 12 games. His final goal for the club came at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in the 4-0 win on 17 April 1999, while his final appearance was in a 2-1 loss to Celtic on the final day of the season (23 May 1999)

Several years later Kjell made a cameo appearance at Tannadice, dressed as Terry The Terror (the club mascot) before a home league game.

Olofsson's last known club was the club from which he joined Dundee United - Norwegian club Moss F.K.. He has now retired as a professional player and returned to his family's furniture business.

[edit] Domestic Stats for Dundee United

Goals - 45 goals in 112 games.
Most Goals in a single match - 2 (on 7 occasions)
Most Goals against a single team - 8 (in 11 games vs. Aberdeen)
Consecutive games with goals - 5 (7th Feb 1998 to 15th Mar 1998)
Scored against every top-flight Scottish team he played over his career at United.
Win/Loss - 41 wins, 41 losses, 30 draws.
Most Appearance vs. a single team - 13 (vs. Celtic)
Most Wins vs. a single team - 7 (vs. Aberdeen)
Most Draws vs. a single team - 6 (vs. Dunfermline)
Most Losses vs. a single team - 10 (vs. Celtic)