Eddie Gustafsson


Douglas Edward Alexander Gustafsson McIntosh is a retired American-born Swedish footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Red Bull Salzburg.

Career

Gustafsson grew up in the United States before he moved to Sweden where he started playing for IFK Stockholm and IFK Norrköping before transferring to Norway in 2002, playing for Molde FK. He was their first choice for three seasons, but as his contract expired after the 2004 season he decided to find a new club. He went on several fruitless trials for clubs in Europe and the US, and joined another Norwegian club, Hamarkameratene. The stay only lasted for year. After the 2005 season, Gustafsson signed with FK Lyn. On 8 January 2009 it was announced that Gustafsson had signed a contract with FC Red Bull Salzburg.
On 18 April 2010, in an Austrian Bundesliga match against LASK Linz, Gustafsson broke his leg when fouled by Linz forward Lukas Kragl. As Gustafsson went to clear the ball following a through pass, Kragl tried to block but was late and caught Gustafsson midway up his left shin. Gustaffson broke both his tibia and fibula in the tackle. Kragl only received a yellow card for the tackle, whilst the same punishment was given to Gustafsson's teammate Christoph Leitgeb for his reaction towards Kragl following the foul. Gustafsson underwent surgery the same night.
Gustafsson celebrated his first post-injury appearance in a midseason friendly against FC Spartak Moscow on 20 January 2011. Over the following years, Gustafsson never fully achieved a comeback to the starting lineup, instead filling the role of backup goalkeeper behind Alexander Walke and later Péter Gulácsi.
Gustafsson last appeared as a goalkeeper in Salzburg's final 2013-2014 Bundesliga home match on 4 May 2014 against SV Ried. He was substituted by Péter Gulácsi in the 78th minute, marking his retirement from professional football.

International

Gustafsson made his debut for Sweden on 31 January 2000 in a 1–0 win against Denmark. He was a stand-by player in UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008.

Honors