Mathias Svensson

Mathias Svensson (born 24 September, 1974 in Borås, Sweden) is a retired Swedish Football (soccer). He played as striker and his last team was IF Elfsborg, having spent much of his career in England. He won three full international caps for Sweden national football team during his career. He is currently assistant manager at Elfsborg.

Svensson began his career with Elfsborg, and was their top scorer when they won promotion to Allsvenskan in 1996. Following his success, he moved to England in the same year to play for Portsmouth F.C.. He then moved to Crystal Palace F.C. and Charlton Athletic F.C., and had a spell on loan with Derby County F.C. before joining Norwich City F.C. in December 2003.

Norwich paid an initial fee of £50,000 for Svensson, which rose to £300,000 when the Canaries won promotion at the end of that season. It took Svensson some time to find his form at Norwich and he came in for criticism from many fans. However, he began scoring goals towards the end of the season - including 2 in a 5-3 win at Burnley F.C. and a long range effort in a televised match against Wigan Athletic F.C. - and ended the season with a first division championship medal as The Canaries won promotion to the Premiership.

Svensson scored 4 times in Norwich's premiership season of 2004-05, including 2 in a 3-2 win against Bolton Wanderers F.C.. Norwich were relegated at the end of the season and a clause in Svensson's contract allowed him to move to a top flight club in another country in the event that such a club showed interest to him. IF Elfsborg offered Norwich £100,000 for Svensson, and he returned to the club where he began his career.

After his return to Elfsborg Svensson played his first Allsvenskan game on 4 July 2006 season was very successful for Svensson. He started all games and scored 6 goals, and at the end of the season he won the first title of his career, as Elfsborg were crowned Swedish champions. In 2008 he was forced to retire due to a knee injury. He has remained at Elfsborg as assistant manager.

Honours

- Football League Championship (2003-2004)

- Allsvenskan (2006)