Sven Markus Holgersson (born 16 April 1985) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played professionally in Sweden, the United States, England, Cyprus, Denmark, and Spain before retiring in 2019. He won one cap for the Sweden national team.

Markus Holgersson
Personal information
Full name Sven Markus Holgersson[1]
Date of birth (1985-04-16) 16 April 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Landskrona, Sweden
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1990–1994 IF Lödde
1994–2001 Landskrona BoIS
2002–2004 Helsingborgs IF
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004 Höganäs BK
2005–2008 Ängelholms FF 89 (13)
2009–2011 Helsingborgs IF 80 (5)
2012–2013 New York Red Bulls 63 (3)
2014 Wigan Athletic 1 (0)
2014 Helsingborgs IF 4 (0)
2014–2016 Anorthosis 59 (3)
2016–2017 AaB 26 (2)
2017–2018 Lorca 15 (0)
2018–2019 Helsingborgs IF 42 (2)
Total 379 (28)
International career
2012 Sweden 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Sweden

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Having spent his youth years at Olympia, he returned to Helsingborg after a four-year spell at Helsingborg's feeder club Ängelholms FF. Upon returning to Helsinborg, Holgersson became an instant starter at right back. During the 2011 season Holgersson helped the club in becoming the first team in Swedish history to win a treble, consisting of Super Cup, League and Swedish Cup titles. On 2 January 2012 Helsingborg confirmed that Holgersson had rejected to renew his contract with the club.[2]

United States

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Holgersson was rumoured to be in talks with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and on 3 January 2012 Red Bulls coach Hans Backe indicated that the player had agreed to join the club.[3] On 12 January 2012, it was confirmed that Holgersson would be joining the Red Bulls.[4] In his first year with New York Holgersson was an undisputed starter at centerback starting 31 games and scoring 3 goals. The following season Holgersson retained his starting position starting in 32 league matches as New York captured its first major title the MLS Supporters' Shield. Holgersson and the club agreed to part ways following the season.[5]

Wigan Athletic

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Holgersson joined Wigan Athletic on 5 February 2014 after being a free agent.[6]

He was released from his contract at the end of the season after making only one appearance.[7] After leaving Wigan, Holgersson went on trial with Championship side Huddersfield Town on trial and his performance in the friendly match left him impressed by Manager Mark Robins.[8]

Later career

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After leaving Wigan, Holgersson returned to Sweden by rejoining Helsingborgs IF until the end of the 2014 season.[9] On 28 August 2014 he signed a two-year contract with Anorthosis of Cyprus.[10]

On 14 April 2016 it was confirmed that Holgersson had signed a pre-contract with Danish Superliga-club, AaB, starting from the summer 2016.[11] His contract was terminated on 12 July 2017.[12]

On 14 July 2017, Holgersson signed for Spanish Segunda División side Lorca FC.[13]

On 8 August 2018, Holgersson returned to Helsingborgs IF, now competing in Superettan, Sweden's second tier.[14]

International career

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After a successful 2011 season, Holgersson received his first call up to join Sweden for its friendly matches against Bahrain on 18 January 2012 and Qatar on 23 January 2012.[15] He made his debut with Sweden on 23 January 2012 going the full 90 in a 5–0 victory over Qatar.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Media Day with Markus Holgersson". MetroFanatic.com. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Officiellt: Markus Holgersson lämnar Helsingborgs IF". fotbolltransfers.se (in Swedish). Fotbolltransfers. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  3. ^ "Backe confirms signing". fotboll.expressen.se (in Swedish). expressen.se. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Red Bulls sign Holgersson". NYRedBulls.com. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ^ "New York Red Bulls part ways with defender Markus Holgersson | New York Red Bulls". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Markus Holgersson Joins Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic FC. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "CLUB CONFIRM CONTRACTS EXPIRE". Wigan Athletic F.C. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Championship: Huddersfield boss Mark Robins impressed by trialist Markus Holgersson". Sky Sports. 20 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. ^ "HIF värvar Holgersson och Pálsson" (in Swedish). Helsingborgs Dagblad. 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Two-year contract with Markus Holgersson". 28 August 2014.
  11. ^ "AaB henter svensk forsvarsprofil" (in Danish). AaB. 14 April 2016.
  12. ^ AaB ophæver med Holgersson‚ bold.dk, 12 July 2017
  13. ^ "Holgersson, experiencia para la zaga del Lorca FC" [Holgersson, experience for the defence of Lorca FC] (in Spanish). Lorca FC. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Markus Holgersson återvänder till HIF" [Markus Holgerssonreturns to HIF] (in Swahili). Helsingborgs IF. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Markus Holgersson to join Sweden squad". hd.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  16. ^ "Sweden defeats Qatar". svenskfotboll.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 23 January 2012.
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