Fredrik Ljungberg Profile

PERSONAL PROFILE
Name: Karl Fredrik “Freddie” Ljungberg
Date of Birth: 16 April 1977
Birthplace: Vittsjö, Hässleholm, Sweden
Nationality: Swedish
Height: 176 cm (5ft 9in)
Weight: 162 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Current club: Seattle Sounders
Position: Midfield
Squad number: 10 (9 for Sweden)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Previous Clubs:
West Ham (England, 2007-08) , Arsenal (England, 1998-2007) , Halmstads BK (Sweden, 1994-98

1994-98: Debuted for BK Halmstad senior team at the age of 17. Halmstad won Sweden’s first division, the Allsvenskan, in 1997 and the Swedish Cup in 1995. Made 139 appearances over five seasons, scoring 16 goals.

1998-2007: Starred nine seasons for London’s Arsenal, one of England’s Big Four. Played prominent role in Gunners’ run of two EPL and three FA Cup championships between 1999-05, including 2002 league and cup double and 2003-04 unbeaten league campaign of “The Invincibles.” During his first seven seasons in North London, the club won two EPL trophies and was runner-up five times. Arsenal was runner-up to Barcelona in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final. The club never finished lower than fourth in the Premiership during his tenure. Spotted by Arsène Wenger during international competition between Sweden and England and soon after signed for £3 million. Debuted by coming on as substitute 9/20/98 and scoring in 3-0 win over Manchester United. Appeared in 328 matches for Arsenal from 1998-07, scoring 72 goals. His season high was 17 in 2001-02 in all competitions, with his 12 in league play ranking ninth in EPL. Also scored in 2002 FA Cup final win, 2-0 over Chelsea, becoming first player to score in consecutive FA Cup finals. Along with Arsenal winning EPL, Ljungberg was named Sweden’s Player of the Year. Gunners won EPL without a loss (26-0-12) in 2004 and eventually set an English record by going undefeated over 49 matches. Helped Arsenal reclaim FA Cup in 2005, converting vital penalty in tiebreaker against Man United and scoring 14 times in all competitions. Named Sweden’s Footballer of the Year for a second time in 2006, when Arsenal advanced to Champions League Final for first time and Sweden reached World Cup finals and advanced to second round.

2007-08: Signed by West Ham United of the English Premier League. Appeared in 25 league matches, finishing with two goals. Scored first goal for club in February against Birmingham, and soon followed with another at Sunderland. Sustained a season-ending hamstring injury against Newcastle in April.

International
Between his first appearance for his country in 1998 (vs. U.S.A.) and his international retirement following Euro 2008, Ljungberg played in two World Cups (2002, 2006) and three Euros. He had served as national team captain since 2006 and, altogether, scored 14 goals.

Personal
Born in Vittsjö, in the southern part of Sweden. A talented handball player, was called to the national handball squad at the age of 13. A fashion icon is known for dyeing and styling his hair. Modeled for Calvin Klein underwear. Voted best-dressed man in Sweden in 2002.

Regular Season Stats

year	club	gp	gs	min	g	a	sht	sog	fc	fs	c	ej
2009	Seattle Sounders FC	22	21	1,836	2	9	27	14	31	67	6	1
Career		22	21	1,836	2	9	27	14	31	67	6	1

New Freddie Video!!!

Ljungberg returns and clears things up

Yes, Ljungberg was all smiles today after practice, talking about how happy he is to be back with the team. But he has some smoothing over to do with teammates, Kasey Keller in particular.

Let me back up. Ljungberg said that his biggest reason for not reporting to the team last Monday in time for the start of camp is because the MLS CBA negotiations have not been completed. He was waiting for some kind of development so that he could turn down offers from European team and return to fulfill the second and final year of his contract.

Ljungberg said the CBA situation has been annoying, but he had to look out for his own interests and field offers from other teams, especially since he's 32 years old and didn't want to be taking time off from playing.

"If there's a lockout, I can't just sit here and do nothing," he said. Then he got wind of the extension of the negotiations to Feb. 12 and decided to come to Seattle.

Ljungberg took some ribbing from teammates when he got to practice today but said he didn't really take a week off, he was still working on his conditioning.

Jokes aside, there are some internal issues to deal with. Last week, goalkeeper Kasey Keller was critical of Ljungberg not being in camp, saying he'd rather have a a guy with less talent who wants to be with the team then someone with more who doesn't.

The two team leaders, Keller and Ljungberg, have spoken, but it's clear there is more to be worked out.
"To me personally, that's what you take internally and that's disappointing, someone talking like that. But...we're all on the same page," Ljungberg said.

Keller, the team captain, called today "another day of training," but said, "For us as players, we just come out and play with the guys that are here."

The conversation that he and Ljungberg had is private, Keller said.

Day 1 of Sounders FC training camp - no Freddie Ljungberg

Everyone else, including Fredy Montero, was present for the start of camp today at Starfire. He faces a fine from the team, coach Sigi Schmid said, and it is NOT OK that the designated player is not with his team. "He's looking at options in Europe and as a club, we've talked and we've considered those options. As of yet, nothing has really happened so we expect him here. Exactly when the date is that he's going to be here, I'm not exactly sure." Schmid said Ljungberg's absence and any penalty from that will be handled internally as a club.

In the interim, his team started practice without him. Captain Kasey Keller was not pleased Ljungberg was not with the rest of the group.

"I don't know the full story. I don't know what's going on," Keller said. "In my opinion, when you're under contract and you're supposed to be somewhere, then you're there."

Keller was asked if he wants Ljungberg to be part of the team.

"I want the players at this team who want to be here," Keller said. "If Freddie wants to be here and wants to be fully committed, then sure. If he doesn't, then it's more of a distraction than a benefit. I'd much rather have a guy with less talent who truly wants to be here then a guy with great talent who doesn't."

General manager Adrian Hanauer said Ljungberg is under contract and the club is speaking to his representation each day.

"We knew he wasn't going to be here today," Hanauer said. "We're talking daily. The transfer window closes Jan. 31 in Europe and we expect this issue to be settled the next few days.

"Quite frankly we're extremely hopeful and optimistic that Freddie will be here very soon. I can't expound upon that in too much detail."

As for Freddie, he posted on his own site that he is busy snowboarding and training in Sweden at the Åre ski resort. He wrote "I have not made any final decision about the spring as a lot depends on the outcome of the new CBA and lockout threat in MLS." I understand that his contract must have some type of clause that if a strike were to occur, he would be released from Seattle. I hope someone can enlighten me as I am not a contract attorney, how can he sign a 2 year deal and simply not choose to honor the second year? Before the talks of the MLS lockout even started he was on the fence as whether or not to return. Is his name not signed on the bottom of the contract? Why even have contracts if they essentially mean nothing? I thought Freddie might be able to leave Sounders FC for another club if players are allowed, through intervention by FIFA, to become free agents in the event of a lockout... I have been and always will be a huge fan, but this is disappointing. I bet if he were at Arsenal instead of the Sounders he wouldn't be pulling this...

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Freddie's new tattoo IN DEPTH!!!

I ran across these close ups, as from the field you can't see much. Looks like a rosary with army style dog tags. Anyone know the meaning of this?

Aplogies for not posting regularly!

I kind of figured that since Freddie had his own blog now, plus an on-going article with ESPN that I probably wasn't going to be able to provide the "newest" news & updates. I will be making updates as often as I can find something interesting that is not already being written about by Freddie himself. Any suggestions, keep them coming...