Alexander Hans Christian Farnerud (born 1 May 1984) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as attacking midfielder. Starting out at Landskrona BoIS in the early 2000s, he went on to represent clubs in France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy before retiring at FC Chiasso in 2022. A full international between 2003 and 2010, he won eight caps and scored two goals for the Sweden national team.
 Farnerud in a friendly game with VfB Stuttgart | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander Hans Christian Farnerud | ||
| Date of birth | 1 May 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Landskrona, Sweden | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–2001 | Landskrona BoIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2003 | Landskrona BoIS | 75 | (13) |
| 2004–2006 | Strasbourg | 81 | (6) |
| 2006–2008 | VfB Stuttgart | 20 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | → VfB Stuttgart II | 4 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | Brøndby IF | 73 | (18) |
| 2011–2013 | Young Boys | 82 | (16) |
| 2013–2016 | Torino | 50 | (5) |
| 2016–2017 | BK Häcken | 24 | (5) |
| 2019 | Helsingborgs IF | 19 | (2) |
| 2020 | IFK Göteborg | 21 | (4) |
| 2021–2022 | FC Chiasso | 14 | (1) |
| Total | 463 | (71) | |
| International career | |||
| 1999–2001 | Sweden U16 | 21 | (9) |
| 2001–2002 | Sweden U19 | 6 | (3) |
| 2002–2006 | Sweden U21 | 36 | (12) |
| 2003–2010 | Sweden | 8 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 January 2022 | |||
Club career
editLandskrona BoIS
editBorn in Landskrona,[1] Farnerud made his professional debut with Landskrona BoIS. He scored in one of his first Allsvenskan matches, a 2–1 home win against reigning champions Hammarby.[2]
Strasbourg
editOn 15 November 2003, Farnerud was bought by France's Strasbourg,[3] being an automatic first-choice in his two-and-a-half-year spell. In his first and third seasons in Ligue 1, he played alongside older brother Pontus who was first loaned by Monaco, then acquired.[4][5]
Stuttgart
editUpon Strasbourg's 2006 relegation, Farnerud moved to VfB Stuttgart in Germany, on a four-year deal.[6] He was used sporadically over the course of two Bundesliga campaigns, appearing nine times for the 2007 champions.[7]
Brøndby IF
editOn 8 July 2008, Farnerud signed with the Danish Superliga club Brøndby.[8]
Young Boys
editOn 18 January 2011, Farnerud changed clubs and countries again, joining Young Boys from Switzerland for an undisclosed fee until 2014.[9] He made his Super League debut on 13 February in the 4–2 victory over Zürich,[10] and on 16 April he also netted twice for the hosts against Bellinzona (4–0).[11]
Torino
editOn 18 June 2013, Farnerud was signed by Italian side Torino for €1.8 million on a three-year contract.[12][13] He made his official debut on 17 August, in a Coppa Italia tie against Pescara which ended in a 1–2 loss.[14] On 20 October he scored his first goal in Serie A, opening the scoreline in an eventual 3–3 home draw to Inter Milan.[15]
After a difficult start to the season, in which he was often benched, Farnerud became a regular and consistent performer for Toro,[16] netting again in the 14th round against Genoa and two days later against Udinese.[17]
BK Häcken
editOn 9 August 2016, Farnerud returned to his native country, signing a long-term deal with BK Häcken[18] and re-joining his childhood friend Rasmus Lindgren at his new club.[19] He played 11 matches and scored three goals in his debut campaign, and went to provide eight assists during his spell before attracting a serious knee injury in a fixture against IK Sirius on 22 July 2017; due to his recurrent physical ailments, he chose to leave by mutual consent in November.[20]
Helsingborg
editIn October 2018, Farnerud joined Helsingborgs IF ahead of the upcoming season.[21] In January 2020, following his release, he trialled with 3. Liga team SG Sonnenhof Großaspach.[22]
IFK Göteborg
editOn 14 May 2020, Farnerud signed with IFK Göteborg.[23] He scored the winning goal in the 2020 Svenska Cupen final when Göteborg beat Malmö FF 2–1 in overtime.[24]
FC Chiasso and retirement
editIn July 2021, Farnerud signed with Swiss Promotion League side FC Chiasso on a one-year contract.[25][26] He announced his retirement from professional football in June 2022, having played 14 games and scored 1 goal for the club.[27]
International career
editYouth
editAfter appearing for all the Sweden national youth teams, Farnerud became a permanent fixture in the under-21s, with whom he participated in the 2004 UEFA European Championship.[28]
Senior
editHe won his first cap for the Sweden national team on 16 February 2003 at age 18, in a King's Cup fixture against Qatar; four days later, in the same competition, he scored his first goal to help to a 2–0 defeat of Thailand.[29]
On 21 March 2015, after more than five years of absence, Farnerud was called by manager Erik Hamrén for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Moldova and a friendly with Iran.[30]
He won a total of eight caps and scored two goals during his time with the national team.[28]
Personal life
editFarnerud's older brother, Pontus, also played professional football. He too was a midfielder and a Swedish international before retiring in 2013.[31][32]
Career statistics
editInternational
edit| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 2003 | 3 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 2 | |
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 20 February 2003 | National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand |  Thailand |
3–0 | 4–1 | 2003 King's Cup | [33] |
| 2. | 28 January 2009 | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, United States |  Mexico |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly | [34] |
Honours
editStuttgart
Strasbourg
IFK Göteborg
Sweden
References
edit- ^ "Farnerud, Alexander" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- ^ "Sweden round-up: Landskrona stun champions". UEFA. 4 July 2002. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ "Strasbourg swoop for Farnerud". UEFA. 15 November 2003. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ "Strasbourg secure second Farnerud". UEFA. 16 June 2005. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ^ a b "Les suédois passés par le championnat de France" [Swedes with spells in the French championship] (in French). Sport 365. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Stuttgart snap up Farnerud". UEFA. 29 May 2006. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Farnerud tysk mästare i Stuttgart". Sydsvenskan (in Swedish). 19 May 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- ^ Coerts, Stefan (8 July 2008). "Officielt: Alexander Farnerud til Brøndby" [Official: Alexander Farnerud to Brondby] (in Danish). Bold. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
- ^ "Farnerud klar för Young Boys" [Farnerud signs for Young Boys]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 18 January 2011. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Zürich unterliegt den Young Boys" [Zürich downed by Young Boys] (in German). UEFA. 13 February 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Zürich siegt dank späten Toren" [Zürich win thanks to late goals] (in German). UEFA. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ Carminati, Nadia (19 June 2013). "Serie A side Torino announced signing of Alexander Farnerud from Young Boys". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ "Toro, preso il jolly svedese Farnerud – A un passo il riscatto di Rodriguez" [Toro, happy Swede Farnerud acquired – Rodriguez return very close]. La Stampa (in Italian). 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Parte male la stagione del Toro: eliminato dal Pescara in Coppa" [Toro season starts on the wrong foot: ousted by Pescara in Cup] (in Italian). Torino Today. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Torino-Inter 3–3: Palacio trascina i nerazzurri in 10, Bellomo li beffa al 90'" [Torino-Inter 3–3: Palacio carries the 10 black-and-blue, Bellomo blunder in the 90']. La Repubblica (in Italian). 20 October 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Torino: Farnerud, l'alfiere indispensabile di Ventura" [Torino: Farnerud, Ventura's essential bishop] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Udinese-Torino 0–2. Gol di Farnerud e Immobile" [Udinese-Torino 0–2. Goals by Farnerud and Immobile]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 15 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Alexander Farnerud till BK Häcken" [Alexander Farnerud to BK Häcken] (in Swedish). BK Häcken. 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Balkander, Mattias (24 August 2016). "Bästa vännerna återförenade i Häcken: "Blir speciellt"" [Best friends reunited at Häcken: "It will be special"]. Göteborgs-Posten (in Swedish). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Farnerud och BK Häcken bryter kontraktet" [Farnerud and BK Häcken terminate contract] (in Swedish). BK Häcken. 22 November 2017. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Alexander Farnerud klar för HIF" [Alexander Farnerud goes to HIF]. Helsingborgs IF. 21 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Großaspach testet schwedischen Ex-Nationalspieler Alexander Farnerud" [Großaspach trial former Swedish international Alexander Farnerud] (in German). kicker. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ "BEKRÄFTAT: Alexander Farnerud klar för spel i IFK Göteborg: "Känns spännande"". expressen.se (in Swedish). 14 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ a b "TV: IFK Göteborg cupmästare - Farnerud stor hjälte i förlängningsdrama mot MFF". fotbollskanalen (in Swedish). 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Alexander Farnerud". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Klinteberg, Martin (8 September 2021). "Farneruds karriär går vidare i Schweiz". Allt Om HIF (in Swedish). Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Alexander Farnerud avslutar fotbollskarriären: "Jag är klar"". 20 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "Alexander Farnerud - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll". www.svenskfotboll.se. (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "King's Cup 2003 (Bangkok, Thailand)". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ Torresi, Mauro (21 March 2015). "Jansson e Farnerud convocati nella Nazionale Svedese" [Jansson and Farnerud called to Swedish national team] (in Italian). Tutto Granata. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
- ^ "Farnerud till storklubb" [Farnerud to giants]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 22 June 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Inget Bröndby för Farnerud" [No Bröndby for Farnerud]. Expressen (in Swedish). 17 July 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Thailand - Sverige - Matchfakta - Svensk fotboll". www.svenskfotboll.sehttps (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 November 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mexiko - Sverige - Matchfakta - Svensk fotboll". www.svenskfotboll.sehttps (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 November 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "A. Farnerud – Trophies". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "Herr: Sverige vann King´s Cup — svenskfotboll.se". www2.svenskfotboll.se. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
External links
edit- Alexander Farnerud at L'Équipe Football (in French)
- Alexander Farnerud – French league stats at Ligue 1 – also available in French
- Alexander Farnerud at fussballdaten.de (in German)
- Alexander Farnerud at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)
- Alexander Farnerud at National-Football-Teams.com
- Alexander Farnerud at Elite Football
- Alexander Farnerud at EU-Football.info
- #17 Alexander Farnerud at ifkdb.com
