Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson, nicknamed Chippen, is a Swedish former footballer who played as a left winger. After playing several seasons with Mjällby, Stabæk and Anderlecht, he played in quick succession for teams in France, Italy, England and Spain, before spending the better part of four years in the late 2000s in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal. Wilhelmsson played 79 times with Sweden, representing the nation at the 2006 World Cup and in three European Championships.
Club career
Early years / Anderlecht
Born in Malmö, Wilhelmsson started his career with Mjällby AIF in 1997, playing in three second division seasons with the club. He then spent as many years in neighbouring Norway with Stabæk Fotball. In the 2003 summer Wilhelmsson joined R.S.C. Anderlecht in Belgium, being an undisputed starter during his spell and scoring nine top division goals combined in the capital side's 2004 and 2006 league conquests.
Nantes and loans
In 2006, Wilhelmsson moved to French team FC Nantes. However, on 10 January of the following year, he joined A.S. Roma on loan until the end of the season, when the Italians had the option to buy for €3 million. He made his Serie A debut on 14 January against FC Messina, He returned to Nantes, immediately starting seeking a new club following the Canaries' relegation from Ligue 1. Following speculation about a move to various Premier League clubs or Scottish club Celtic, he signed for Bolton Wanderers on a 12-month loan, with an option to make the deal permanent after 20 games. He made 13 appearances all competitions comprised, mostly as a substitute, his debut coming in a 1–3 away defeat against Portsmouth – Wilhelmsson was instrumental in closing the club's signing of countryman Johan Elmander for a record transfer fee, for 2008–09. He was again loaned by Nantes, this time moving to Spain and Deportivo de La Coruña on 30 January 2008. He played his first La Liga match against Getafe CF, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 home draw, and made his first start two rounds later, in a home fixture match against RCD Espanyol. Wilhelmsson scored his first goal for Depor on 1 March 2008, in a 2–1 home win against Sevilla FC, and finished the campaign firmly established in the side's starting XI – he would start in 13 of his league appearances – as the Galicians eventually finished ninth and qualified to the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
In 2008, Wilhelmsson signed a three-year contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal FC for about €9 million. He helped the club win the league title in his second year, scoring nine goals and making ten assists in 20 appearances; for his contributions he received the Player of the Season award, going on to win four additional major titles during his tenure, including two consecutive Saudi Crown Prince Cup where he scored in both finals. Wilhelmsson spent the first half of 2011–12 on loan with Qatar's Al Ahli SC.
On 14 January 2013, Wilhelmsson signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with Baniyas SC. After a spell with former club Mjällby, the 35-year-old officially announced his retirement. However, in August 2015, he came out of retirement to help the latter team retain their status in the Superettan, which was eventually not achieved.
