Ola Toivonen

Ola Toivonen

Toivonen in 2012
Personal information
Full name Nils Ola Toivonen[1]
Date of birth (1986-07-03) 3 July 1986
Place of birth Degerfors, Sweden
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing position Attacking Midfielder/Striker
Club information
Current team
 Sunderland (on loan from Rennes)
Number 20
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2003–2005 Degerfors IF 41 (8)
2006 Örgryte IS 25 (6)
2007–2009 Malmö FF 51 (17)
2009–2014 PSV 139 (61)
2014– Rennes 46 (14)
2015– → Sunderland (loan) 11 (0)
National team‡
2003 Sweden U17 2 (0)
2004–2005 Sweden U19 11 (6)
2006–2009 Sweden U21 28 (13)
2007– Sweden 45 (9)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:08, 4 January 2016(UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2015

Nils Ola Toivonen (born 3 July 1986) is a Swedish footballer, who plays as an attacking midfielder or striker for Premier League side Sunderland, on loan from Rennes, and the Sweden national team.

After beginning his career in his homeland, he joined PSV Eindhoven in January 2009, and remained there for five-and-a-half seasons until a €2.5 million move to Rennes.

A full international for Sweden since 2007, he has earned over 40 caps for the nation, and was part of their squad for UEFA Euro 2012

Club career

Early career

His father was born in Finland and emigrated to Degerfors to work in a factory.[3] Toivonen started his career at Degerfors,[4] where he became involved in their campaign in 2005 to avoid relegation from Superettan.

He was then bought by Örgryte, and their manager Zoran Lukić. The first, and only, season in Örgryte ended sadly. Lukić was sacked, and Örgryte finished last in Allsvenskan, and thus was relegated to Superettan. In November 2006, he won the "Newcomer of the Year" award at the annual Swedish football awards.[5]

Malmö FF

He soon signed a four-year contract with Malmö FF,[6] in a transfer worth more than $1.1 million. He became Malmö's second most expensive player of all time (only Brazilian international Afonso Alves cost Malmö more money, when the club bought him for approximately $1.3 million in 2004, also from Örgryte).[7][8] In the 2007 season, Toivonen's first at Malmö, the club finished 9th in Allsvenskan and Toivonen scored three goals. The 2008 season went somewhat better for Malmö, finishing 6th, and this was the absolute breakthrough for Toivonen.[9] In 27 games, he managed to score 14 goals as well as seven assists.[4] This drew the attention of some Premier League and Eredivisie clubs, most notably West Ham United and PSV Eindhoven.[10][11]

PSV Eindhoven

Toivonen playing for PSV in 2010

Toivonen signed a contract with PSV Eindhoven in early 2009.[12] The transfer fee was, according to some source, €3.5 million, and according to other sources €4.5 million.[9] He received a red card in a February 2009 match against FC Volendam, which sidelined him for two matches. His first half season in the Netherlands, saw Toivonen score 6 goals in 14 appearances for his new club.[13]

On 8 November 2009, Toivonen scored four out of five goals against ADO Den Haag in a 5–1 win, scoring a hat trick in the first 42 minutes of the game. His first full season in the Eredivise proved very successful, adapting quickly, scoring 13 goals.[13]

2010–11 season

The first game of the new season kicked off on 7 August 2010 and saw PSV head to the Abe Lenstra Stadion to face Heerenveen.[14] Toivonen struck two second half goals, before Orlando Engelaar added a third, helping to secure a comfortable 3–1 victory.[15] 14 August 2010 saw Toivonen net his second hat trick for PSV, scoring three goals[16] in a 6–0 win over De Graafschap.[17] He added the third goal in a 3–1 win against NEC Nijmegen on 11 September that helped his side climb to first in the Eredivisie rankings.[18] 24 October saw his side record a memorable 10–0 win over rivals Feyenoord at the Philips Stadion.[19][20] Toivonen scored the first of six goals in the second half.[21] On 4 December Toivonen added two goals to his account in a 5–2 win over Heracles Almelo.[22]

In PSV's second game back following the winter break, Toivonen netted the equalizing goal in a 2–1 win against Willem II.[23] A month later on 20 February 2011, Toivonen scored the third goal, in a 4–1 home win against NAC Breda that saw PSV move two points clear at the top of the Eredivisie.[24] A crucial game against SC Heerenveen on 10 April saw Toivonen return to the squad. He started on the bench, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute for Zakaria Labyad.[25] Toivonen scored PSV's second goal, deep into stoppage time, securing a 2–2 draw.[26] On 24 April, PSV travelled to Rotterdam to play Feyenoord at De Kuip. After embarrassingly losing 10–0 in the first meeting of the season, Feyenoord responded by winning 3–1, Toivonen scored the only goal for the Boerens,[27] ending PSV's title hopes.[28] The 2010–11 campaign saw Toivonen score 15 Eredivisie goals and 3 Europa League goals for PSV, making him the club's second leading goalscorer of the season behind Balázs Dzsudzsák.[29]

2011–12 season

With strike partner Balázs Dzsudzsák leaving PSV to join Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala,[30] Toivonen was required to fill in and contribute with more goals for the new season. Toivonen scored his first goal of the season in PSV's 3–0 win over ADO Den Haag on 21 August.[31] He followed this effort up with another goal in his side's 5–0 thrashing of Austrian Bundesliga outfit SV Ried in the qualifying stages of the Europa League.[32] PSV and Toivonen continued their rich goal-scoring form, as they hammered Excelsior 6–1 on 28 August with Toivonen netting a brace.[33]

2012–13 season

Due to injuries, Toivonen only made 17 appearances in which he scored eight times. At the end of the season, PSV wanted to sell Toivonen as he had refused to extend his contract which would expire in the summer of 2014. Norwich City showed interest in the player, but preferred countryman Johan Elmander after Toivonen had been dawling too long in the opinion of the club.[34]

2013–14 season

Although both PSV and Toivonen were dissatisfied after a transfer had failed, Toivonen made 14 appearances in which he scored once. In the winter break PSV announced that Toivonen would not play a single match for PSV in the second half of the season. Both the player and the club wanted to disband.

Stade Rennes

Toivonen with Rennes in 2014

On 20 January 2014, it was announced that Toivonen had been sold to Rennes for a transfer fee of €2.5 million.[13]

Sunderland (loan)

On 28 August 2015, Toivonen joined Premier League side Sunderland on a season-long loan, linking up with his former manager at PSV Dick Advocaat.[35] The following day, he made his debut as a half-time subtitute for Lee Cattermole in at Aston Villa, and assisted former PSV team-mate Jeremain Lens's equaliser in a 2-2 draw.[36] Toivonen scored his first goal on 22 September 2015, in a 4-1 League Cup third round defeat at home to Manchester City.[37]

International career

Toivonen playing for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2012.

On 21 August 2007, he scored a hat trick (including 2 penalties) for Sweden U21 against Wales U21 in a 4–3 friendly defeat.[38] He was a member of the U-21 national team at the 2009 European Championship in Sweden and scored three times in the competition against Italy U21,[39] Serbia U21,[40] and a superb freekick against England U21 which contributed to a comeback from 3–0 down to 3–3 with Toivonen scoring the second goal.[41]

Toivonen's full international debut came on 14 January 2007, when Sweden lost 2–0 away to Venezuela.[42]

Leading up to the World Cup in South Africa, Sweden played Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly on 29 May. Toivonen was included in the starting lineup, as Sweden were without striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.[43] Toivonen scored the opening goal in the 44th minute, giving Sweden a lead at half time. This goal was Toivonen's first at international level. Blackburn Rovers defender Martin Olsson scored a brace in the second half, leading Sweden to a 4–2 win.[44] On 11 August 2010, Toivonen started for the national side in a friendly against Scotland at the Råsunda Stadium in Stockholm.[45] Toivonen grabbed Sweden's third goal in the 55th minute, his second international goal, helping to seal a 3–0 win for the home side.[46]

International goals

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 29 May 2010 Råsunda Stadium, Solna  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 4–2 Friendly
2. 11 August 2010 Råsunda Stadium, Solna  Scotland 3–0 3–0 Friendly
3. 3 June 2011 Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău  Moldova 1–0 4–1 Euro 2012 qualifier
4. 11 October 2011 Råsunda Stadium, Solna  Netherlands 3–2 3–2 Euro 2012 qualifier
5. 30 May 2012 Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg  Iceland 2–0 3–2 Friendly
6. 5 June 2012 Råsunda Stadium, Solna  Serbia 1–0 2–1 Friendly
7. 5 March 2014 Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium, Ankara  Turkey 1–1 1–2 Friendly
8. 9 October 2014 Friends Arena, Solna  Russia 1–1 1–1 Euro 2016 qualifier
9. 31 March 2015 Friends Arena, Solna  Iran 3–1 3-1 Friendly

Honours

Club

PSV

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Holm, Stefan (24 May 2012). "Ola? Nja, tror väl inte han tar plats i tidernas bästa Degerfors-elva". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Ola Toivonen profile". PSV Eindhoven official website. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "Malmö: Viktig roll för Ola Toivonen" (in Swedish). Svenska Fotbollförbundet. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Allsvenskan – Statistik/ligor". svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). Svenska Fotbollförbundet. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  5. ↑ "Pristagarna på Fotbollsgalan". GP.se (in Swedish). Göteborgs-Posten. 13 November 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Ola Toivonen klar för Malmö FF". Dagens Nyheter. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  7. ↑ Palméus, Lennart; Persson, Stefan (24 December 2003). "Jag är så lycklig nu". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  8. ↑ Wiman, Max (29 December 2011). "Afonso klar för MFF". Sydsvenskan (in Swedish). Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  9. 1 2 Wiman, Max (14 January 2009). "MFF och PSV överens om Toivonen". Sydsvenskan.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  10. ↑ "Transferkorgen blev en succé – för fansen | Allsvenskan | Sverige | Fotboll | Sportbladet | Aftonbladet". Aftonbladet.se. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "West Ham eye Ola Toivonen". Eyefootball.com. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  12. ↑ Wiman, Max (14 January 2009). "MFF och PSV överens om Toivonen". www.sydsvenskan.se. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 "Ola Toivonen Bio, Stats, News". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Flying start PSV in Eredivisie | The Soccer Room
  15. ↑ "Report: Heerenveen v PSV Eindhoven – Dutch Eredivisie". ESPN Soccernet. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "Toivonen treble inspires PSV – News". MirrorFootball.co.uk. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Match: PSV Eindhoven v De Graafschap – Dutch Eredivisie". ESPN Soccernet. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  18. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v NEC Nijmegen – Dutch Eredivisie". ESPN Soccernet. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  19. ↑ "PSV 10–0 Feyenoord". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "10–0! PSV Eindhoven humiliate Dutch rivals Feyenoord with amazing win". Daily Mail (London). 25 October 2010.
  21. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v Feyenoord Rotterdam – Dutch Eredivisie". ESPN Soccernet. 24 October 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  22. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v SC Heracles Almelo – Dutch Eredivisie". ESPN Soccernet. 4 December 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  23. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v Willem II Tilburg – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  24. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v NAC Breda – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  25. ↑ "Report: PSV Eindhoven v Heerenveen – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  26. ↑ Eredivisie Round-up: Ajax back in title race as Twente & PSV drop points – Goal.com Archived 13 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ↑ "Eredivisie round-up: Feyenoord exact revenge on PSV while Ajax brush aside Excelsior". Goal.com. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  28. ↑ "Report: Feyenoord Rotterdam v PSV Eindhoven – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  29. ↑ "PSV Eindhoven Football / Soccer Club – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  30. ↑ "Dzsudzsak completes Anzhi move". FIFA.com. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  31. ↑ "Report: ADO Den Haag v PSV Eindhoven – Dutch Eredivisie – ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  32. ↑ "Psv Eindhoven vs. SV Josko Fenster Ried Results and Scores from 08/25/11". WSN. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  33. ↑ Archived 6 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ↑ "Norwich verkiest Elmander boven treuzelende Toivonen". Voetbal International. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "Toivonen verlaat PSV voor Franse laagvlieger". Voetbalprimeur.nl. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  36. ↑ Jurejko, Jonathan (29 August 2015). "Aston Villa 2-2 Sunderland". Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Sunderland 1 - 4 Man City". BBC.
  38. ↑ "Sweden U21 3 – 4 Wales U21". BBC News. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  39. ↑ "Swedenzen U21 1 – 2 Italy U21". soccernet.espn.go.com. espn. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  40. ↑ "Sweden U21 3 – 1 Serbia U21". uefa.com. UEFA. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  41. ↑ "Sweden U21 3–3 England U21". skysports.com (sky). 27 June 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  42. ↑ "Spelarporträtt 2007". svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). Svenska Fotbollförbundet. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  43. ↑ "Sweden 4–2 Bosnia & Herzegovina: Olsson Brace Propels Blagult To Victory". Goal.com. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  44. ↑ "Sweden beats Bosnia 4–2 in friendly". Thestar.com.my. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  45. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (11 August 2010). "Sweden 3 Scotland 0: match report". The Daily Telegraph (London).
  46. ↑ "Sweden 3–0 Scotland". BBC News. 11 August 2010.

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