Stefan Schwarz


Hans-Jürgen Stefan Schwarz, better known as Stefan Schwarz, is a retired Swedish footballer who played as a midfielder.
Schwarz started his career at Swedish club Malmö FF before moving to the English Premier League to play for Arsenal and Sunderland. He went on to feature in the German Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, Italian Serie A for Fiorentina, Spanish La Liga with Valencia, and in the Primeira Divisão for Benfica. Altogether Schwarz earned 69 caps, scoring 6 times for the Sweden national team.

Club career

Born to a German father in the city of Malmö, Schwarz started his playing career as a midfielder with Kulladals FF's academy. Between 1985 and 1987, he spent two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen's youth team. He made his debut as a professional footballer with his hometown club Malmö FF. He then moved to Benfica for the 1991–92 season. Schwarz was a regular selection for Benfica for the following three seasons.
He subsequently moved to London to play for Arsenal in the summer of 1994. With the Gunners, Schwarz reached the final of the 1995's UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Schwarz left Highbury after a single season at the club. He then moved to Italy to link up with Fiorentina. In 1998, Schwarz was transferred from Fiorentina to La Liga team Valencia. Prior to the beginning of the following season, Schwarz decided to leave Valencia. He was subsequently bestowed with the prestigious Guldbollen in 1999, Sweden's award for the year's best footballer. When joining English side Sunderland for a record £4 million soon afterward leaving Valencia, the club inserted a "Space Clause" in his contract, that stated that if he were to travel into space his contract would become wholly invalid.
He stayed at the Stadium of Light until his playing career ended at close of the 2002–03 season, a season in which Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League.

International career

Schwarz formed a highly rated midfield partnership with Jonas Thern when playing for Sweden. He featured as well in the World Cups of 1990 and 1994, and the 1992 Euros for the Swedes. An injury to his Achilles tendon kept him out of the squad for Euro 2000.
He was capped for the Swedish national team on 69 occasions and scored 6 goals all in all.

Honours

Club

;Malmö
;Benfica
;Arsenal
;Fiorentina
;Valencia
;Sweden