Alexander Farnerud

{{short description|Swedish professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Alexander Farnerud

| image = Alexander Farnerud bei einem Testspiel in Wernau.JPG

| image_size = 150px

| caption = Farnerud in a friendly game with VfB Stuttgart

| fullname = Alexander Hans Christian Farnerud

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|5|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = Landskrona, Sweden

| height = 1.81 m

| position = Attacking midfielder

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1997–2001

| youthclubs1 = Landskrona BoIS

| years1 = 2001–2003

| clubs1 = Landskrona BoIS

| caps1 = 75

| goals1 = 13

| years2 = 2004–2006

| clubs2 = Strasbourg

| caps2 = 81

| goals2 = 6

| years3 = 2006–2008

| clubs3 = VfB Stuttgart

| caps3 = 20

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2006–2008

| clubs4 = → VfB Stuttgart II

| caps4 = 4

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2008–2011

| clubs5 = Brøndby IF

| caps5 = 73

| goals5 = 18

| years6 = 2011–2013

| clubs6 = Young Boys

| caps6 = 82

| goals6 = 16

| years7 = 2013–2016

| clubs7 = Torino

| caps7 = 50

| goals7 = 5

| years8 = 2016–2017

| clubs8 = BK Häcken

| caps8 = 24

| goals8 = 5

| years9 = 2019

| clubs9 = Helsingborgs IF

| caps9 = 19

| goals9 = 2

| years10 = 2020

| clubs10 = IFK Göteborg

| caps10 = 21

| goals10 = 4

| years11 = 2021–2022

| clubs11 = FC Chiasso

| caps11 = 14

| goals11 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 1999–2001

| nationalteam1 = Sweden U16

| nationalcaps1 = 21

| nationalgoals1 = 9

| nationalyears2 = 2001–2002

| nationalteam2 = Sweden U19

| nationalcaps2 = 6

| nationalgoals2 = 3

| nationalyears3 = 2002–2006

| nationalteam3 = Sweden U21

| nationalcaps3 = 36

| nationalgoals3 = 12

| nationalyears4 = 2003–2010

| nationalteam4 = Sweden

| nationalcaps4 = 8

| nationalgoals4 = 2

| club-update = 6 January 2022

| totalcaps = 463

| totalgoals = 71

}}

Alexander Hans Christian Farnerud (born 1 May 1984) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as attacking midfielder. Starting out at Landskrona BoIS in the early 2000s, he went on to represent clubs in France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy before retiring at FC Chiasso in 2022. A full international between 2003 and 2010, he won eight caps and scored two goals for the Sweden national team.

Club career

=Landskrona BoIS=

Born in Landskrona,{{cite web|url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/herrar/tidigare-ar/spelarportratt-2010/?profile=16784|title=Farnerud, Alexander|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=sv|access-date=19 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225017/http://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/herrar/tidigare-ar/spelarportratt-2010/?profile=16784|archive-date=1 February 2014}} Farnerud made his professional debut with Landskrona BoIS. He scored in one of his first Allsvenskan matches, a 2–1 home win against reigning champions Hammarby.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0187-0f843ebf53e6-c1d4a81edd56-1000--sweden-round-up-landskrona-stun-champions/|title=Sweden round-up: Landskrona stun champions|publisher=UEFA|date=4 July 2002|access-date=23 April 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114428/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid%3D27758.html|archive-date=24 October 2012}}

= Strasbourg =

On 15 November 2003, Farnerud was bought by France's Strasbourg,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0197-0f845150ef75-ad3e932b7657-1000--strasbourg-swoop-for-farnerud/|title=Strasbourg swoop for Farnerud|publisher=UEFA|date=15 November 2003|access-date=23 April 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114523/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid%3D126692.html|archive-date=24 October 2012}} being an automatic first-choice in his two-and-a-half-year spell. In his first and third seasons in Ligue 1, he played alongside older brother Pontus who was first loaned by Monaco, then acquired.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/01aa-0ea80b9dacb3-6d29b03ca07d-1000--strasbourg-secure-second-farnerud/|title=Strasbourg secure second Farnerud|publisher=UEFA|date=16 June 2005|access-date=23 April 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114319/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid%3D310173.html|archive-date=24 October 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sport365.fr/suedois-passes-championnat-de-france-2791141.html#item=1|title=Les suédois passés par le championnat de France|trans-title=Swedes with spells in the French championship|publisher=Sport 365|language=fr|date=7 November 2016|access-date=11 April 2018}}

=Stuttgart=

Upon Strasbourg's 2006 relegation, Farnerud moved to VfB Stuttgart in Germany, on a four-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=425586.html |title=Stuttgart snap up Farnerud|publisher=UEFA|date=29 May 2006|access-date=28 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028233853/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid%3D425586.html|archive-date=28 October 2014}} He was used sporadically over the course of two Bundesliga campaigns, appearing nine times for the 2007 champions.{{Cite web|title=Farnerud tysk mästare i Stuttgart|url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2007-05-19/farnerud-tysk-mastare-i-stuttgart|access-date=2020-09-18|website=Sydsvenskan|date=19 May 2007 |language=sv}}

= Brøndby IF =

On 8 July 2008, Farnerud signed with the Danish Superliga club Brøndby.{{cite web|url=http://www.bold.dk/nyt/Officielt-Alexander-Farnerud-til-Broendby|title=Officielt: Alexander Farnerud til Brøndby|trans-title=Official: Alexander Farnerud to Brondby|publisher=Bold|first=Stefan|last=Coerts|language=da|date=8 July 2008|access-date=8 July 2008}}

=Young Boys=

On 18 January 2011, Farnerud changed clubs and countries again, joining Young Boys from Switzerland for an undisclosed fee until 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/internationell/ovrigaligor/article12494439.ab?partner=www|title=Farnerud klar för Young Boys|trans-title=Farnerud signs for Young Boys|newspaper=Aftonbladet|language=sv|date=18 January 2011|access-date=4 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019190330/http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/internationell/ovrigaligor/article12494439.ab?partner=www|archive-date=19 October 2012}} He made his Super League debut on 13 February in the 4–2 victory over Zürich,{{cite web|url=http://de.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1593811.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412001430/http://de.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1593811.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2018|title=Zürich unterliegt den Young Boys|trans-title=Zürich downed by Young Boys|publisher=UEFA|language=de|date=13 February 2011|access-date=11 April 2018}} and on 16 April he also netted twice for the hosts against Bellinzona (4–0).{{cite web|url=https://de.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1620739.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727103558/http://de.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=sui/news/newsid=1620739.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2011|title=Zürich siegt dank späten Toren|trans-title=Zürich win thanks to late goals|publisher=UEFA|language=de|date=16 April 2011|access-date=11 April 2018}}

=Torino=

On 18 June 2013, Farnerud was signed by Italian side Torino for €1.8 million on a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11873/8783538/serie-a-side-torino-announced-signing-of-alexander-farnerud-from-young-boys|title=Serie A side Torino announced signing of Alexander Farnerud from Young Boys|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Nadia|last=Carminati|date=19 June 2013|access-date=17 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902194742/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11873/8783538/serie-a-side-torino-announced-signing-of-alexander-farnerud-from-young-boys|archive-date=2 September 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2013/06/18/sport/calcio/qui-toro/toro-preso-il-jolly-svedese-farnerud-a-un-passo-il-riscatto-di-rodriguez-zaTvQnUhPl0thW6ScFh9wN/pagina.html|title=Toro, preso il jolly svedese Farnerud – A un passo il riscatto di Rodriguez|trans-title=Toro, happy Swede Farnerud acquired – Rodriguez return very close|newspaper=La Stampa|language=it|date=18 June 2013|access-date=11 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020222744/http://www.lastampa.it/2013/06/18/sport/calcio/qui-toro/toro-preso-il-jolly-svedese-farnerud-a-un-passo-il-riscatto-di-rodriguez-zaTvQnUhPl0thW6ScFh9wN/pagina.html|archive-date=20 October 2013}} He made his official debut on 17 August, in a Coppa Italia tie against Pescara which ended in a 1–2 loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.torinotoday.it/sport/toro-pescara-1-2-17-agosto-2013-coppa-italia.html|title=Parte male la stagione del Toro: eliminato dal Pescara in Coppa|trans-title=Toro season starts on the wrong foot: ousted by Pescara in Cup|publisher=Torino Today|language=it|date=17 August 2013|access-date=11 April 2018}} On 20 October he scored his first goal in Serie A, opening the scoreline in an eventual 3–3 home draw to Inter Milan.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/serie-a/2013/10/20/news/torino-inter_3-3_fiera_del_gol_all_olimpico_il_cuore_non_basta_ai_nerazzurri-69048013/|title=Torino-Inter 3–3: Palacio trascina i nerazzurri in 10, Bellomo li beffa al 90'|trans-title=Torino-Inter 3–3: Palacio carries the 10 black-and-blue, Bellomo blunder in the 90'|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=20 October 2013|access-date=11 April 2018}}

After a difficult start to the season, in which he was often benched, Farnerud became a regular and consistent performer for Toro,{{cite web|url=http://www.calciomercato.com/news/torino-farnerud-l-alfiere-indispensabile-di-ventura-267480|title=Torino: Farnerud, l'alfiere indispensabile di Ventura|trans-title=Torino: Farnerud, Ventura's essential bishop|publisher=Calcio Mercato|language=it|date=13 December 2013|access-date=11 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215175052/http://www.calciomercato.com/news/torino-farnerud-l-alfiere-indispensabile-di-ventura-267480|archive-date=15 December 2013}} netting again in the 14th round against Genoa and two days later against Udinese.{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Squadre/Udinese/15-12-2013/udinese-torino-0-2-farnerud-immobile-cerci-di-natale-guidolin-calcio-serie-a-201834527885.shtml|title=Udinese-Torino 0–2. Gol di Farnerud e Immobile|trans-title=Udinese-Torino 0–2. Goals by Farnerud and Immobile|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=15 December 2013|access-date=11 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215181449/http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Squadre/Udinese/15-12-2013/udinese-torino-0-2-farnerud-immobile-cerci-di-natale-guidolin-calcio-serie-a-201834527885.shtml|archive-date=15 December 2013}}

=BK Häcken=

On 9 August 2016, Farnerud returned to his native country, signing a long-term deal with BK Häcken{{cite web|url=https://bkhacken.se/2016/08/alexander-farnerud-till-bk-hacken/|title=Alexander Farnerud till BK Häcken|trans-title=Alexander Farnerud to BK Häcken|publisher=BK Häcken|language=sv|date=9 August 2016|access-date=22 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072619/https://bkhacken.se/2016/08/alexander-farnerud-till-bk-hacken/|archive-date=23 January 2018}} and re-joining his childhood friend Rasmus Lindgren at his new club.{{cite news|url=http://www.gp.se/sport/fotboll/b%C3%A4sta-v%C3%A4nnerna-%C3%A5terf%C3%B6renade-i-h%C3%A4cken-blir-speciellt-1.3722882|title=Bästa vännerna återförenade i Häcken: "Blir speciellt"|trans-title=Best friends reunited at Häcken: "It will be special"|newspaper=Göteborgs-Posten|first=Mattias|last=Balkander|language=sv|date=24 August 2016|access-date=22 January 2018}} He played 11 matches and scored three goals in his debut campaign, and went to provide eight assists during his spell before attracting a serious knee injury in a fixture against IK Sirius on 22 July 2017; due to his recurrent physical ailments, he chose to leave by mutual consent in November.{{cite web|url=https://bkhacken.se/2017/11/farnerud-och-bk-hacken-bryter-kontraktet/|title=Farnerud och BK Häcken bryter kontraktet|trans-title=Farnerud and BK Häcken terminate contract|publisher=BK Häcken|language=sv|date=22 November 2017|access-date=22 January 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828134304/https://bkhacken.se/2017/11/farnerud-och-bk-hacken-bryter-kontraktet/|archive-date=28 August 2018}}

=Helsingborg=

In October 2018, Farnerud joined Helsingborgs IF ahead of the upcoming season.{{cite web|url=http://www.hif.se/news/alexander-farnerud-klar-hif/|title=Alexander Farnerud klar för HIF|trans-title=Alexander Farnerud goes to HIF|publisher=Helsingborgs IF|date=21 October 2018|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108201310/http://www.hif.se/news/alexander-farnerud-klar-hif/|url-status=dead}} In January 2020, following his release, he trialled with 3. Liga team SG Sonnenhof Großaspach.{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/grossaspach_testet_schwedischen_ex_nationalspieler_farnerud-767240/artikel|title=Großaspach testet schwedischen Ex-Nationalspieler Alexander Farnerud|trans-title=Großaspach trial former Swedish international Alexander Farnerud|publisher=kicker|language=de|date=15 January 2020|access-date=15 January 2020}}

= IFK Göteborg =

On 14 May 2020, Farnerud signed with IFK Göteborg.{{Cite web|title=BEKRÄFTAT: Alexander Farnerud klar för spel i IFK Göteborg: "Känns spännande"|url=https://www.expressen.se/gt/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/officiellt-farnerud-klar-for-spel-i-blavitt/ | date = 14 May 2020 | access-date = 30 July 2020 | website = expressen.se|language=sv}} He scored the winning goal in the 2020 Svenska Cupen final when Göteborg beat Malmö FF 2–1 in overtime.{{Cite web|title=TV: IFK Göteborg cupmästare - Farnerud stor hjälte i förlängningsdrama mot MFF|url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/svenska-cupen-1/tv-ifk-goteborg-cupmastare---farnerud-stor-hjalte-i-forlangningsdrama-mot-mff/ | date = 30 July 2020 | access-date = 30 July 2020 |website=fotbollskanalen|language=sv}}

= FC Chiasso and retirement =

In July 2021, Farnerud signed with Swiss Promotion League side FC Chiasso on a one-year contract.{{Cite web|title=Alexander Farnerud|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/alexander-farnerud/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=worldfootball.net|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Klinteberg|first=Martin|date=2021-09-08|title=Farneruds karriär går vidare i Schweiz|url=https://www.alltomhif.se/farneruds-karriar-gar-vidare-i-schweiz/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Allt Om HIF|language=sv-SE}} He announced his retirement from professional football in June 2022, having played 14 games and scored 1 goal for the club.{{cite web |title=Alexander Farnerud avslutar fotbollskarriären: "Jag är klar" |date=20 June 2022 |url=https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/alexander-farnerud-avslutar-fotbollskarriaren-jag-ar-klar-/}}

International career

= Youth =

After appearing for all the Sweden national youth teams, Farnerud became a permanent fixture in the under-21s, with whom he participated in the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

= Senior =

He won his first cap for the Sweden national team on 16 February 2003 at age 18, in a King's Cup fixture against Qatar; four days later, in the same competition, he scored his first goal to help to a 2–0 defeat of Thailand.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kings03.html|title=King's Cup 2003 (Bangkok, Thailand)|website=RSSSF|access-date=26 March 2015}}

On 21 March 2015, after more than five years of absence, Farnerud was called by manager Erik Hamrén for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Moldova and a friendly with Iran.{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttogranata.it/post.php?id=2182|title=Jansson e Farnerud convocati nella Nazionale Svedese|trans-title=Jansson and Farnerud called to Swedish national team|publisher=Tutto Granata|first=Mauro|last=Torresi|language=it|date=21 March 2015|access-date=11 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082420/http://www.tuttogranata.it/post.php?id=2182|archive-date=12 April 2018}}

He won a total of eight caps and scored two goals during his time with the national team.

Personal life

Farnerud's older brother, Pontus, also played professional football. He too was a midfielder and a Swedish international before retiring in 2013.{{cite news|date=22 June 2006|title=Farnerud till storklubb|language=sv|trans-title=Farnerud to giants|newspaper=Aftonbladet|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/article10845585.ab|access-date=28 December 2015}}{{cite news|date=17 July 2008|title=Inget Bröndby för Farnerud|language=sv|trans-title=No Bröndby for Farnerud|newspaper=Expressen|url=http://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/inget-brondby-for-farnerud/|access-date=28 December 2015}}

Career statistics

= International =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Cite web\|title=Alexander Farnerud - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll\|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/alexander-farnerud/d28319b3-5753-429e-be75-a16c5ae61afa/\|url-status=live\|access-date=2021-11-19\|website=www.svenskfotboll.se.\|language=sv\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626144754/https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/alexander-farnerud/d28319b3-5753-429e-be75-a16c5ae61afa/ \|archive-date=26 June 2020 }} !National team !Year !Apps !Goals
rowspan="8" \|Sweden \|2003 \|3 \|1
2004 \|0 \|0
2005 \|1 \|0
2006 \|0 \|0
2007 \|0 \|0
2008 \|0 \|0
2009 \|2 \|1
2010 \|2 \|0
colspan="2" \|Total !8 !2

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Cite web|title=Alexander Farnerud - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/alexander-farnerud/d28319b3-5753-429e-be75-a16c5ae61afa/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.svenskfotboll.se.|language=sv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626144754/https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/alexander-farnerud/d28319b3-5753-429e-be75-a16c5ae61afa/ |archive-date=26 June 2020 }}

!National team

!Year

!Apps

!Goals

rowspan="8" |Sweden

|2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

colspan="2" |Total

International goals

class="wikitable"

! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

!Ref.

20 February 2003

National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand

3–0

4–1

2003 King's Cup

|{{Cite web|title=Thailand - Sverige - Matchfakta - Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.sehttps//www.svenskfotboll.se/matchfakta/thailand-sverige-landskamper-herr-senior/1570222/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.svenskfotboll.sehttps|language=sv}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

28 January 2009

Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, United States

1–0

Friendly

|{{Cite web|title=Mexiko - Sverige - Matchfakta - Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.sehttps//www.svenskfotboll.se/matchfakta/mexiko-sverige-landskamper-herr-senior/1570886/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=www.svenskfotboll.sehttps|language=sv}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Honours

Stuttgart

Bundesliga: 2006–07{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alexander-farnerud/38426/|title=A. Farnerud – Trophies|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=22 July 2014}}

Strasbourg

Coupe de la Ligue: 2004–05

IFK Göteborg

Svenska Cupen: 2019–20

Sweden

King's Cup: 2003{{Cite web |title=Herr: Sverige vann King´s Cup — svenskfotboll.se |url=https://www2.svenskfotboll.se/arkiv/tidigare/2003/02/herr-sverige-vann-kings-cup/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=www2.svenskfotboll.se}}