Anders Andersson (footballer)


Per Anders Andersson is a former Swedish footballer who played as a midfielder. He currently works as a TV pundit.
Starting off his career with Malmö FF, Andersson went on to play professionally in England, Denmark, and Portugal, before returning to Malmö to finish up his career. A full international since 2004, Andersson won 27 caps for the Sweden national team and represented them at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. He was also a squad player for Sweden at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Club career

Born in Tomelilla, Andersson played for Svenstorps IF as a child, but joined Malmö FF in 1990. He gradually became a star in the Swedish league, and was bought by English Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers. There, he played four league matches, and scored once against Preston North End in the League Cup. He went on to play in Denmark and Portugal for Benfica, and returned to Malmö FF in July 2005. He remained in the club until the end of the 2008 season, when the team decided not to extend Anders contract. The news was received with dismay among Malmö supporters, and Anders himself has written about the situation at his blog at local newspaper Skånska Dagbladet. He later decided to retire from football, ending speculation that he might've been heading to local rivals Trelleborg.

International career

Early years

After having represented the Sweden U17, U19, U21, and Olympic teams, Andersson made his senior debut for the Sweden national team in a friendly game against Mexico on 24 February 1994. He scored his first international goal in a 1-0 friendly win against Japan on 13 Februari 1997.

Euro 2000, Euro 2004, and retirement

Andersson was a squad player for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2000, and came in from the bench in a group stage 0-0 draw against Turkey before Sweden failed to advance to the second round. Four years later, he was a squad player for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2004 and started in the final group stage game against Denmark, before Sweden was eliminated in the quarter finals by the Netherlands.
Andersson made his last international appearance on 9 February 2005 in a 1-1 draw with France. He won a total of 27 caps, scoring 3 goals.

Career statistic

International goals

Honours

;AaB
;Benfica