Johan Elmander

Johan Elmander

Elmander playing for Galatasaray in 2012
Personal information
Full nameJohan Erik Calvin Elmander[1]
Date of birth27 May 1981
Place of birthAlingsås, Sweden
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Brøndby IF
Number11
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1997–1998Holmalund23(5)
1999–2000Örgryte39(4)
2000–2004Feyenoord39(3)
2002–2003→ Djurgården (loan)19(12)
2003–2004→ NAC Breda (loan)31(7)
2004–2006Brøndby IF58(22)
2006–2008Toulouse64(22)
2008–2011Bolton Wanderers92(18)
2011–2014Galatasaray52(16)
2013–2014→ Norwich City (loan)28(1)
2014–Brøndby IF16(1)
National team‡
1997–1998Sweden U1627(3)
1999Sweden U187(1)
2000–2004Sweden U2130(12)
2002–Sweden85(20)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2015

Johan Erik Calvin Elmander ([ˈjuː.ˈan ɛlˈmɑndɛr]; born 27 May 1981 in Alingsås) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Brøndby IF, and the Sweden national football team.[3] He joined in 2014 a free transfer after his contract with Turkish club Galatasaray expired. Elmander has scored 20 goals in 72 games for the Swedish national team, and was chosen to represent his country at the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. His 2–0 goal away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 13 November 2010 was voted the greatest Premier League goal ever in a poll by The Guardian.[4][5]

Club career

Elmander started his career as a striker for Swedish clubs but changed to a centre midfielder Holmalunds IF and Örgryte, before making the move to Dutch club Feyenoord at the age of 18 where he continued to be used as a midfielder. Although never a first team regular, he came on as a substitute in the 2002 UEFA Cup final 3–2 win against German team Borussia Dortmund.

Elmander was subsequently put on loan back in Sweden with Djurgården, where he won the Double of both Allsvenskan championship and Swedish Cup title in 2002 and Allsvenskan in 2003, however he wasn't awarded any medal since he played too few matches. He also debuted for the Swedish national team, in a February 2002 friendly match against Greece. In 2003, he was loaned out to Feyenoord's Dutch league rivals NAC Breda.

Brøndby IF

Elmanders personalized boot at Brøndby

Before the 2004–05 season, he was bought by Danish Superliga outfit Brøndby. Despite not scoring as many goals for the club as was expected, he was the playmaker and creative spark of the Brøndby team in the 2004–05 Superliga season, playing mainly as the free roaming forward behind the sole striker in Laudrup's 4–3–3 formation. The team won the Double of both the Danish Superliga and the Danish Cup title, and Elmander was voted Brøndby's Player of the Year.

In his two seasons at Brøndby, Elmander scored 22 goals in 58 Danish Superliga games, attracting the attention of several clubs throughout Europe. He was called up to represent Sweden at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he played two games. Elmander signed a four-year contract with French side Toulouse for an undisclosed fee of around €4,500,000 on 7 July 2006.

Toulouse

Elmander scored 11 goals in his first season with Toulouse and was nominated as player of the year by his fellow players. This award was subsequently won by Olympique Lyonnais player Florent Malouda. The season was very successful with Elmander guiding Toulouse to third place and a berth in the qualifying rounds of UEFA Champions League. The second season, much like that of his team, was much more irregular. And though he scored the same number of goals as he did the previous season, he was less decisive.

Bolton Wanderers

On 27 June 2008, Elmander completed a move to Premier League club Bolton Wanderers,[6][7] for an £8.2 million fee, the club's record signing, with the deal including Daniel Braaten going to Toulouse. He signed a three-year deal, before being given the number nine shirt by manager Gary Megson.

His first Premier League goal, a header, came on his competitive debut, against Stoke City on 16 August 2008 in a 3–1 win.[8] Elmander played 30 games in 2008–09 season, scored 5 goals and 2 assists.[9]

From December 2008 to September 2009, Elmander went on a nine-month goal drought, which ended during the League Cup fixture against West Ham United as he scored in extra-time.[10] His first league goal in 11 months came in a 5–1 defeat to Aston Villa.[11]

Elmander finally found his goalscoring form in the 2010–11 season, scoring six goals in the opening thirteen games, all of them away from the Reebok Stadium. His first home goals of the season came against Newcastle United, giving him a joint lead as top scorer in the Premier League. However, his goalscoring form dipped and he scored just three goals between December and a goal on 12 March against Birmingham City in an FA Cup Sixth round tie.[12] This brought his goal tally for all competitions to eleven for the season.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said in an interview on 20 May that he expected Elmander to join Galatasaray.[13] and Elmander confirmed later in the month that he would be leaving the club.[14]

In total, Elmander made ninety two appearances in the Premier League, scoring eighteen goals, eleven appearances in the FA Cup, scoring three goals, and five appearances in the League Cup, scoring once.

Galatasaray

Elmander in a September 2011 match against Eskişehirspor

On 27 May 2011, Elmander arrived in Turkey on his birthday, and on 30 May 2011, Elmander joined Galatasaray in a three-year deal on a free transfer as his contract expired at Bolton Wanderers in the same month.[15] Elmander debuted on the second week of the Süper Lig season, coming on in the sixty first minute and scored his first goal in a 3–1 home win over Samsunspor on 18 September. Due to his great performance, Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim changed the team's formation to a 4–4–2, allowing Elmander to play together with teammate Milan Baros simultaneously. On 26 February 2012, he scored the opening and the winning goal of the game against Beşiktaş in a 3–2 win and also scored goals in all derby matches including Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor. He scored 12 goals in 36 league matches in a season which saw Galatasaray crowned league champions.

He started the 2012–13 season in a match against Kasımpaşa and scored his first goal of the season in a 3–3 draw with Beşiktaş the following week. In the league's fourth week, he scored the opener against Antalyaspor in a 4–0 away win for Galatasaray. and on 19 October 2012, he scored an amazing goal against Gençlerbirliği in a 3–3 away draw and maintained the lead of the Süper Lig. He left in August 2013 to join Premier League side Norwich on a season-long loan.

Norwich City

Elmander returned to England, joining Norwich City on a season-long loan. Elmander made his debut for Norwich against Hull City. He scored his first two goals for the club against Bury in the League Cup on 27 August 2013.[16] His first league start came against Southampton on 31 August 2013. Elmander scored his first league goal against Southampton in a 4-2 away loss for the Canaries on 15 March 2014.[17] Elmander failed to impress during his loan spell at Norwich however he did win the hearts of many fans with his hard working performances and eagerness to play.

Return to Brøndby IF

On 24 June 2014 Johan Elmander returned to Brøndby IF moving to the club on a free transfer, signing a 2-year contract after his contract with Turkish Side Galatasaray had expired. Elmander was handed the number 11 shirt on his return to the club.

Career statistics

Club

As of 12 November 2014
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Holmalunds 1997 40–––40
1998 195–––195
Total 235–––235
Örgryte 1999 182–––182
2000 212–––212
Total 394–––394
Feyenoord 2000–01 162–––162
2001–02 221–––221
2002–03 10–––10
Total 393–––393
Djurgården (loan) 2002 8520–42147
2003 11720––137
Total 191240–422714
NAC Breda (loan) 2003–04 317–––317
Total 317–––317
Brøndby IF 2004–05 279–––279
2005–06 3113–––3113
Total 5822–––5822
Toulouse FC 2006–07 321100––3211
2007–08 321100–613812
Total 642200–617023
Bolton Wanderers 2008–09 30510––315
2009–10 2534131–325
2010–11 37106220–4512
Total 921811351–10822
Galatasaray 2011–12 361200––3612
2012–13 164211060255
Total 52162110606117
Norwich City (loan) 2013–14 2812032–333
Total 2812032–333
Brøndby IF 2014–15 1010000–101
Total 1010000–101
Career Total 45511119493163499121

International

As of 15 January 2015
Sweden national team
YearAppsGoals
200220
200343
200441
200563
200691
200763
200880
200971
201051
2011113
201262
201362
201480
201510
Total8320

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 16 February 2003 Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand  Qatar 1–0 3–2 2003 King's Cup
2. 2–0
3. 20 February 2003 Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand  Thailand 2–0 4–1 2003 King's Cup
4. 17 November 2004 Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland  Scotland 3–0 4–1 Friendly
5. 4 June 2005 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Malta 6–0 6–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
6. 8 June 2005 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Norway 2–3 2–3 Friendly
7. 12 November 2005 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea  South Korea 1–1 2–2 Friendly
8. 7 October 2006 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Spain 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
9. 28 March 2007 Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 1–0 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
10. 2 June 2007 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Denmark 1–0 3–0 * UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
11. 3–0
12. 12 August 2009 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Finland 1–0 1–0 Friendly
13. 3 March 2010 Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales  Wales 1–0 1–0 Friendly
14. 9 February 2011 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus  Ukraine 1–0 1–1 Friendly
15. 3 June 2011 Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău, Moldova  Moldova 2–0 4–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
16. 3–0
17. 6 September 2012 Olympia, Helsingborg, Sweden  China PR 1–0 1–0 Friendly
18. 16 October 2012 Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany  Germany 3–4 4–4 2014 World Cup qualifier
19. 7 June 2013 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria  Austria 1–2 1–2 2014 World Cup qualifier
20. 6 September 2013 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Republic of Ireland 1–1 2–1 2014 World Cup qualifier

* Match abandoned, see UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier fan attack.

Personal life

Elmander has two brothers Peter and Patrik who also play professional football in Sweden.[18]

Elmander was married on 27 December 2007 to highschool sweetheart Amanda Calvin in a lavish ceremony in her home town of Hemsjö, Sweden. The couple had over 200 guests including fellow former teammates Kim Källström and Jon Jönsson. At their wedding, Swedish-idol Christoffer Hiding performed.[19] In August 2008, the couple announced the birth of their first child.[20] On 18 November 2010 it was announced Elmander's wife had given birth to a baby girl named Lily.[21]

On 1st August 2014, Johan's father, Ulu Johan, died from cancer.

Honours

Feyenoord
Djurgården
Brøndby
Galatasaray
Toulouse
Bolton Wanderers
Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 February 2014. p. 26. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Galatasaray Sports Club Official Website". Galatasaray.org.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Premier League (Football),Football,Sport". The Guardian (London). 15 December 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "O gol, İngiltere'nin gelmiş geçmiş en iyi golü oldu – Hürriyet Futbol". Hürriyet. 19 December 2011.
  6. ↑ "Wanderers land Swede". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  7. ↑ "Bolton sign £10m-rated Elmander". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Owen (16 August 2008). "Bolton 3–1 Stoke". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  9. ↑ "Johan Elmander 08-09". ESPN. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "Bolton 3–1 West Ham (aet)". BBC News. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Aston Villa 5 Bolton 1: Five-Star Villa Thrash Bolton For Third Year Running – FanHouse UK". Football.fanhouse.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "Birmingham 2–3 Bolton". BBC News. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Owen Coyle expects Johan Elmander to leave Bolton for Galatasary". The Guardian (London). 2011-05-20. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  14. ↑ "Elmander: Time For A Fresh Challenge". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  15. ↑ "Istanbul Stock Exchange". Kap.gov.tr.
  16. ↑ "Norwich 6 - 3 Bury". BBC. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Southampton 4 - 2 Norwich". BBC. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  18. ↑ Zendry Svärdkrona (1 July 2007). ""Jag vill testa spel i England" | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.
  19. ↑ "Elmander fångad av en stormvind – fick sin Amanda | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet. 28 December 2007.
  20. ↑ Sanna Casson (28 January 2009). ""Så är det att leva med en kändis" | Nöjesbladet | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.
  21. ↑ "Bolton boss Coyle confident flying Elmander will pen new contract | Premiership News". tribalfootball.com. 20 November 2010.
  22. ↑ [http://www.footballeurspros.fr/ligue1/trophee-du-joueur/trophees-du-mois.html?tx_unfptrophee_pi1[uid]=46&cHash=334615b61f722d5d954d3710202504b4 "Trophées du mois"]. Footballeurspros.fr.
  23. ↑ "Bolton clear the way for Johan Elmander to quit the club in January – News –". Mirrorfootball.co.uk. 3 December 2010.

External links

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