Christian Wilhelmsson

Christian Wilhelmsson

Wilhelmsson on the ball at Euro 2012.
Personal information
Full nameChristian Ulf Wilhelmsson
Date of birth8 December 1979
Place of birthMalmö, Sweden
Height1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionWinger
Youth career
1988–1997Mjällby AIF
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1997–1999Mjällby AIF52(11)
2000–2003Stabæk84(25)
2003–2006Anderlecht90(13)
2006–2008Nantes13(0)
2007→ Roma (loan)19(1)
2007–2008→ Bolton Wanderers (loan)8(0)
2008→ Deportivo La Coruña (loan)15(1)
2008–2012Al-Hilal69(24)
2011–2012→ Al Ahli (loan)11(0)
2012LA Galaxy5(1)
2013–2014Baniyas8(3)
2014Mjällby AIF12(5)
Total386(84)
National team
2000–2001Sweden U2116(2)
2001–2012Sweden79(9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈkrɪstɪjan ˈvɪl(h)ɛ(l)m.ˈsɔn]; born 8 December 1979), nicknamed Chippen, is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a left winger.

After playing several seasons with Mjällby (three years), Stabæk (four) and Anderlecht (three), he played in quick succession for teams in France, Italy, England and Spain, before spending the better part of four years in the late 2000s in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal.

Wilhelmsson played 79 times with Sweden, representing the nation at the 2006 World Cup and in three European Championships.

Club career

Early years / Anderlecht

Born in Malmö, Wilhelmsson started his career with Mjällby AIF in 1997, playing in three second division seasons with the club. He then spent as many years in neighbouring Norway with Stabæk Fotball.

In the 2003 summer Wilhelmsson joined R.S.C. Anderlecht in Belgium, being an undisputed starter during his spell and scoring nine top division goals combined in the capital side's 2004 and 2006 league conquests.

Nantes and loans

In 2006, Wilhelmsson moved to French team FC Nantes. However, on 10 January of the following year, he joined A.S. Roma on loan until the end of the season, when the Italians had the option to buy for €3 millions. He made his Serie A debut on 14 January against FC Messina,[1] but underwent criticism from teammates such as Christian Panucci for his lack of communication on the pitch, a derivative of his poor Italian language skills.

Roma opted against making Wilhelmsson's transfer permanent, preferring to sign Mauro Esposito and Ludovic Giuly instead, and he returned to Nantes, immediately starting seeking a new club following the Canaries' relegation from Ligue 1.[2] Following speculation about a move to the Premier League or the Scottish Premier League,[3][4] he signed for Bolton Wanderers on a 12-month loan, with an option to make the deal permanent after 20 games.[5]

Despite a disappointing spell with the Trotters – 13 appearances all competitions comprised, mostly as a substitute, his debut coming in a 1–3 away defeat against Portsmouth –[6] Wilhelmsson was instrumental in closing the club's signing of countryman Johan Elmander for a record transfer fee, for 2008–09.

After failing to impress Bolton manager Gary Megson he was again loaned by Nantes, this time moving to Spain and Deportivo de La Coruña on 30 January 2008. He played his first La Liga match against Getafe CF, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 home draw, and made his first start two rounds later, in a home fixture match against RCD Espanyol (2–0 home win).[7]

Wilhelmsson scored his first goal for Depor on 1 March 2008, in a 2–1 home win against Sevilla FC,[8] and finished the campaign firmly established in the side's starting XI – he would start in 13 of his league appearances – as the Galicians eventually finished ninth and qualified to the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Saudi Arabia

In 2008, Wilhelmsson signed a three-year contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal FC for about €9 million. He helped the club win the league title in his second year, scoring nine goals and making ten assists in 20 appearances; for his contributions he received the Player of the Season award, going on to win four additional major titles during his tenure, including two consecutive Saudi Crown Prince Cup where he scored in both finals.

Wilhelmsson spent the first half of 2011–12 on loan with Qatar's Al Ahli SC, as cover for departing Opoku Agyemang.[9]

Wilhelmsson playing for Al Ahli in 2011.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Wilhelmsson was announced as a LA Galaxy player on 5 September 2012.[10] He scored in his Major League Soccer debut nine days later, in a 2–0 win against the Colorado Rapids.

The American club opted not to renew Wilhelmsson's contract for the 2013 season.

Baniyas

On 14 January 2013, following his release by the Galaxy, Wilhelmsson signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with Baniyas SC. Two years later, after a spell with former club Mjällby, the 35-year-old officially annnounced his retirement.[11]

International career

Gaining his first cap in 2001, Wilhelmsson represented Sweden at UEFA Euro 2004, Euro 2008 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, featuring in every one of the national team's four games in the latter tournament and starting in two.

On 4 September 2006 he was one of three international players sent home for breaking a curfew during a night out, the other two being Olof Mellberg and Zlatan Ibrahimović.[12] In March 2011, he was involved in a training ground scuffle with the latter.[13]

Wilhelmsson scored his first brace for Sweden in a Euro 2012 qualifier against San Marino on 6 September 2011 (5–0 away win), for his seventh and eighth international goals.[14] He was also selected for the finals in Poland and Ukraine by manager Erik Hamren, collecting three bench appearances in an eventual group stage exit.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 13 October 2004 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 4–0 4–1 2006 World Cup qualification
2. 4 June 2005 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Malta 3–0 6–0 2006 World Cup qualification
3. 11 October 2006 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 2–1 2–1 Euro 2008 qualifying
4. 13 October 2007 Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein  Liechtenstein 2–0 3–0 Euro 2008 qualifying
5. 2 June 2010 Dynama Stadium, Minsk, Belarus  Belarus 1–0 1–0 Friendly
6. 2 September 2011 Ferenc Puskás, Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 1–1 1–2 Euro 2012 qualifying
7. 6 September 2011 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino  San Marino 2–0 5–0 Euro 2012 qualifying
8. 5–0
9. 30 May 2012 Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Iceland 3–1 3–2 Friendly

Honours

Club

Anderlecht
Roma
Al-Hilal
Los Angeles Galaxy
Baniyas

Country

Individual

Club statistics

[15]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sweden League Svenska Cupen League Cup Europe Total
1997MjällbyDivision 1 Södra6000--60
199821400--214
199925700--257
Norway League Norwegian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2000StabækTippeligaen24900--249
200125600--256
200226600--266
20039400--94
Belgium League Belgian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2003–04AnderlechtBelgian Pro League27500--275
2004–0532400--324
2005–0631500--315
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
2006–07NantesLigue 11300000-130
Italy League Coppa Italia League Cup Europe Total
2006–07RomaSerie A19100--191
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2007–08BoltonPremier League80101030130
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
2007–08DeportivoLa Liga151000000151
Saudi Arabia League Crown Prince Cup League Cup Asia Total
2008–09Al-HilalSaudi Professional League18494-40318
2009–1021983-933815
2010–1122662-423210
Qatar League Emir of Qatar Cup League Cup Asia Total
2011–12Al AhliQatar Stars League11000--110
Saudi Arabia League Crown Prince Cup League Cup Asia Total
2011–12Al-HilalSaudi Professional League8511-12108
USA League Open Cup League Cup North America Total
2012LA GalaxyMajor League Soccer1100-0011
Total Sweden 521100--5211
Norway 842500--8425
Belgium 901400--9014
France 1300000-130
Italy 19100--191
England 80101030130
Spain 151000000151
Saudi Arabia 74242410-18711641
Qatar 11000--110
USA 5100-0051
UEA 8300-0083
Career total 36176251010217478116

Personal life

Wilhelmsson married Russian-born model Oksana Andersson in May 2010, in Las Vegas.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups. Retrieved 18 January 2007.
  2. ↑ Kent Hedlundh (2 July 2007). "Wilhemsson looking for switch". Sky Sports.
  3. ↑ Graeme Bailey (11 July 2007). "Prem trio battle for winger". Sky Sports.
  4. ↑ "Celtic monitor winger Wilhelmsson". Vital Football. 8 July 2007.
  5. ↑ "Wilhelmsson completes Bolton move". BBC Sport. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  6. ↑ "Portsmouth 3–1 Bolton". BBC Sport. 18 August 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Deportivo La Coruña 2–0 Espanyol". ESPN Soccernet. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Deportivo La Coruña 2–1 Sevilla FC". ESPN Soccernet. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "Ah Ahli sign Swedish international Wilhelmsson". Qatar Football Association. 5 September 2011.
  10. ↑ "LA Galaxy sign Swedish international midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson". LA Galaxy. 5 September 2012.
  11. ↑ ""Chippen" lägger av med fotbollen: "Det har varit en fantastisk resa"" ["Chippen" retires from football: "It has been a fantastic journey"] (in Swedish). Fotbollskanalen Europa. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Swedish football stars booted out of national squad; The Local, 5 September 2006
  13. ↑ Zlatan Ibrahimovic kicks Christian Wilhelmsson during training – Video; Total Football Madness, 28 March 2011
  14. ↑ Five star Sweden too good for ten-man San Marino; UEFA.com, 6 September 2011
  15. ↑ "C. Wilhelmsson". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "Chippen Wilhelmsson och Oksana Andersson gifta i Las Vegas" [Chippen Wilhelmsson and Oksana Andersson married in Las Vegas] (in Swedish). Expressen. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2011.

External links