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Freddie Ljungberg Profile |
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Birth Date: April 16, 1977
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Birth Place: Vittsjö, Skåne län, Sweden
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Birth Name: Karl Fredrik Ljungberg
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Height: 5'9"
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Biography |
Karl Fredrik Ljungberg (IPA: [ˈfreːdrɪk ˈjʊŋbærj]) (born 16
April 1977 in Vittsjö, Hässleholm) is a Swedish footballer
who currently plays for Arsenal in the English Premiership.
He is currently the club's longest serving player, and
captain of the Swedish national team.
Ljungberg joined Halmstad in Sweden as a youth player at the
age of 5, He played several other sports including Ice
Hockey and Handball for which he was called up to the
national squad. He made his senior debut for Halmstads on 23
October 1994 in the Swedish First Division against AIK. He
went on to make 139 appearances and score 16 goals for the
club. He won both the Swedish Cup and League title with the
club.
Ljungberg was signed by Arsenal F.C. in 1998 for £3 million.
Arsenal's manager, Arsène Wenger, took the unusual step of
authorising the signing of Ljungberg after watching him play
for Sweden in their defeat of England on television, without
seeing him play live. The match confirmed to Wenger that
Ljungberg would cope against English opponents. Ljungberg
passed the test without difficulty and made a sensational
debut after coming on as a substitute scoring against rival
club Manchester United.
Some of Ljungberg's best form came in the second half of the
2001-02 season, when Arsenal won their second Premiership
and FA Cup double; Robert Pirès had recently been ruled out
for months through a knee injury. Ljungberg came in and
scored in most of Arsenal's remaining games, including a
stunning finish in the FA Cup final against Chelsea. He
endeared himself to Arsenal Supporters by having a bright
red stripe in his hair.
He is most comfortable on either wing in midfield, though he
can also play centrally in a 4-5-1 formation or as a second
striker. Since the departure of Emmanuel Petit and Marc
Overmars, Ljungberg has been a regular in Arsenal's starting
lineup and has cemented his first team place. He has had to
fight with constant injury problems and occasionally severe
bouts with migraines; in 2005 a mysterious persistent hip
injury led to fears he may have contracted cancer, which
were unfounded. It transpired that he was suffering from
blood poisoning caused by his large tattoos.
Despite a persistent ankle injury Ljungberg played for
Arsenal in the 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions
League Final in Paris.
Ljungberg represented Sweden at U21 level. He received his
first full cap for Sweden on 24 January 1998 against the
USA. He has represented his country at Euro 2000, World Cup
2002, Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006, where his 13th goal for
Sweden came in the 89th minute of the match against
Paraguay. As of August 8, 2006, Ljungberg is captain of the
Swedish national football team, taking over after Olof
Mellberg. |
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Other Information |
Midfield soccer player from Arsenal F.C.
Played in Halmstad in Sweden before Arsenal boss, Arsene
Wenger, transfered him to the English club in 1998.
International player with the Swedish soccer team.
Has also played handball, ice-hockey and golf.
Calvin Klein underwear model.
Resides in Hampstead, London.
Got 5 million SEK (570,000 USD) for the new Calvin Klein
pictures which will be launched in January, 2005.
First Calvin Klein underwear model ever to sign a two-year
contract. The reason is because the sales of the CK's
underwears went up by 25% in 2003.
Calvin Klein underwear model (2003, 2005).
In March 2005 he scored 2 goals against Bulgaria in the
World Cup Qualification game (Sweden-Bulgaria 3-0).
His team Arsenal won the FA cup 2004/2005 after a penalty
shootout against Manchester United
English Premiership winner with Arsenal in 2002 and 2004. FA
Cup winner with Arsenal in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
Scored over 65 goals for Arsenal between September 1998 and
May 2005.
He has scored 68 goals in 265 games
Fredrik signed for another 4 years contract with Arsenal
[July 29th 2005]
He will make 5 millions (SEK swedish kronor) every months,
(almost 60 millions SEK kronor every year)
He scored 10 goals in the premier league, 2 goals in the FA
cup and 2 goals in Champions league season 2004/2005
He has played 52 games for Sweden and has scored 11 goals
[August 2005]
Freddie scored 1 goal against Ajax in his second Champions
League game 2005/2006 (Ajax-Arsenal 1-2) [September 27 th]
He played in the 2000 and 2004 Eurocup tournaments.
Season 2005/2006 is the worst season for him so far
He played for Sweden in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups of
Soccer. |
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