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Christian Wilhelmsson

{{short description|Swedish footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Christian Wilhelmsson

|image = Christian Wilhelmsson Euro 2012 vs France.jpg

|image_size = 250

|caption = Wilhelmsson playing for Sweden at Euro 2012

|fullname = Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|12|8|df=y}}

|birth_place = Malmö, Sweden

|height = 1.77 m

|position = Winger

|currentclub =

|clubnumber =

|youthyears1 = 1988–1997 | youthclubs1 = Mjällby AIF

|years1 = 1997–1999 | clubs1 = Mjällby AIF | caps1 = 52 | goals1 = 11

|years2 = 2000–2003 | clubs2 = Stabæk | caps2 = 84 | goals2 = 25

|years3 = 2003–2006 | clubs3 = Anderlecht | caps3 = 90 | goals3 = 13

|years4 = 2006–2008 | clubs4 = Nantes | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2007 | clubs5 = → Roma (loan) | caps5 = 19 | goals5 = 1

|years6 = 2007–2008 | clubs6 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | caps6 = 8 | goals6 = 0

|years7 = 2008 | clubs7 = → Deportivo La Coruña (loan) | caps7 = 15 | goals7 = 1

|years8 = 2008–2012 | clubs8 = Al-Hilal | caps8 = 69 | goals8 = 24

|years9 = 2011–2012 | clubs9 = → Al Ahli (loan) | caps9 = 11 | goals9 = 0

|years10 = 2012 | clubs10 = LA Galaxy | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 1

|years11 = 2013–2014 | clubs11 = Baniyas | caps11 = 8 | goals11 = 3

|years12 = 2014 | clubs12 = Mjällby AIF | caps12 = 12 | goals12 = 5

|years13 = 2015 | clubs13 = Mjällby AIF | caps13 = 3 | goals13 = 1

|years14 = 2018 | clubs14 = Torsby IF | caps14 = 1 | goals14 = 1

|totalcaps = 390 | totalgoals = 86

|nationalyears1 = 2000–2001 | nationalteam1 = Sweden U21 | nationalcaps1 = 16 | nationalgoals1 = 2

|nationalyears2 = 2001–2012 | nationalteam2 = Sweden | nationalcaps2 = 79 | nationalgoals2 = 9

}}

Christian Ulf "Chippen" Wilhelmsson ({{IPA|sv|ˈkrɪ̌sːtɪjan ˈvɪ̂lː(h)ɛ(l)mˌsɔn}}; born 8 December 1979) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a winger. Beginning his career with Mjällby AIF in 1997, he went on to represent clubs in Norway, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, England, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Qatar before retiring at Mjällby in 2015. Wilhelmsson won 79 caps for the Sweden national team between 2001 and 2012, and represented his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and at Euro 2004, 2008, and 2012.

Club career

=Early years and Anderlecht=

Born in Malmö, Wilhelmsson started his career with Mjällby AIF in 1997, playing in three second division seasons with the club. He then spent as many years in neighbouring Norway with Stabæk Fotball.

In the 2003 summer Wilhelmsson joined R.S.C. Anderlecht in Belgium, being an undisputed starter during his spell and scoring nine top division goals combined in the capital side's 2004 and 2006 league conquests.

=Nantes=

In 2006, Wilhelmsson moved to the French Ligue 1 team FC Nantes.{{Cite web|title="Chippen" klar för Nantes|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/chippen-klar-for-nantes/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.expressen.se|date=2 July 2006 |language=sv}}

== Loan to Roma ==

However, on 10 January of the following year, he joined A.S. Roma on loan until the end of the season, when the Italians had the option to buy for €3 million. He made his Serie A debut on 14 January against FC Messina,{{cite web|url=http://www.football-lineups.com/wiki/_match3288.php|title=Tactical Formation|publisher=Football-Lineups|access-date=18 January 2007}} Roma did not take advantage of its option to buy and Wilhelmsson returned to Nantes after the season and immediately starting seeking a new club following the Canaries' relegation from Ligue 1.{{cite web|url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=474839&plid=28492&clid=430&cpid=104|title=Wilhemsson looking for switch|publisher=Sky Sports|author=Kent Hedlundh|date=2 July 2007}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

== Loan to Bolton Wanderers ==

Following speculation about a move to various Premier League clubs or Scottish club Celtic,{{cite web|url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=476375&CPID=8&clid=25&lid=&title=Prem+trio+battle+for+winger|title=Prem trio battle for winger|publisher=Sky Sports|author=Graeme Bailey|date=11 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713181851/http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=476375&CPID=8&clid=25&lid=&title=Prem+trio+battle+for+winger|archive-date=13 July 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.celtic.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=72417|title=Celtic monitor winger Wilhelmsson|publisher=Vital Football|date=8 July 2007|access-date=12 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914041320/http://www.celtic.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=72417|archive-date=14 September 2014|url-status=dead}} he signed for Bolton Wanderers on a 12-month loan, with an option to make the deal permanent after 20 games.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/6917262.stm|title=Wilhelmsson completes Bolton move|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 July 2007|access-date=31 December 2009}} He made 13 appearances all competitions comprised, mostly as a substitute, his debut coming in a 1–3 away defeat against Portsmouth.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6941862.stm|title=Portsmouth 3–1 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 August 2007|access-date=7 September 2011}} Wilhelmsson was instrumental in closing the club's signing of countryman Johan Elmander for a record transfer fee, for 2008–09.

== Loan to Deportivo La Coruña ==

He was again loaned by Nantes, this time moving to Spain and Deportivo de La Coruña on 30 January 2008. He played his first La Liga match against Getafe CF, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 home draw, and made his first start two rounds later, in a home fixture match against RCD Espanyol (2–0 home win).{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226462?cc=5739|title=Deportivo La Coruña 2–0 Espanyol|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=24 February 2008|access-date=7 September 2011|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102043358/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226462?cc=5739|url-status=dead}} Wilhelmsson scored his first goal for Depor on 1 March 2008, in a 2–1 home win against Sevilla FC,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226648?cc=5739|title=Deportivo La Coruña 2–1 Sevilla FC|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=1 March 2008|access-date=7 September 2011|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102043439/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/226648?cc=5739|url-status=dead}} and finished the campaign firmly established in the side's starting XI – he would start in 13 of his league appearances – as the Galicians eventually finished ninth and qualified to the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

= Al-Hilal =

In 2008, Wilhelmsson signed a three-year contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal FC for about €9 million. He helped the club win the league title in his second year, scoring nine goals and making ten assists in 20 appearances; for his contributions he received the Player of the Season award, going on to win four additional major titles during his tenure, including two consecutive Saudi Crown Prince Cup where he scored in both finals.

== Loan to Al Ahli ==

Wilhelmsson spent the first half of 2011–12 on loan with Qatar's Al Ahli SC.{{cite web|url=http://www.qfa.com.qa/al-ahli-sign-swedish-international-wilhelmsson.aspx |title=Ah Ahli sign Swedish international Wilhelmsson |publisher=Qatar Football Association |date=5 September 2011 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

File:Christian wilhelmsson.jpg in 2011.]]

=LA Galaxy=

Wilhelmsson was announced as a LA Galaxy player on 5 September 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2012/09/la-galaxy-sign-swedish-international-midfielder-christian-wilhelmsson|title=LA Galaxy sign Swedish international midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson|publisher=LA Galaxy|date=5 September 2012|access-date=5 September 2012|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021083621/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2012/09/la-galaxy-sign-swedish-international-midfielder-christian-wilhelmsson|url-status=dead}} He scored in his Major League Soccer debut nine days later, in a 2–0 win against the Colorado Rapids.

=Baniyas=

On 14 January 2013, Wilhelmsson signed a one-and-a-half-year deal with Baniyas SC.{{Cite web|date=2013-01-13|title=Chippen klar för Abu Dhabi|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/blekinge/abu-dhabi-nasta-for-chippen-wilhelmsson|access-date=2021-03-01|website=SVT Nyheter|language=sv}}

= Return to Mjällby AIF and retirement =

Wilhelmsson signed for Mjällby AIF and made his Allsvenskan debut during the 2014 Allsvenskan season at the age of 34.{{Cite web|date=2014-08-09|title=Här gör "Chippen" debut i allsvenskan|url=https://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/har-gor-chippen-debut-i-allsvenskan/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Dagens Nyheter|language=sv}} After a short spell with former club Mjällby, he officially announced his retirement.{{cite news|url=http://www.fotbollskanalen.se/landslag/chippen-lagger-av-med-fotbollen-det-har-varit-en-fantastisk-resa/|title="Chippen" lägger av med fotbollen: "Det har varit en fantastisk resa"|trans-title="Chippen" retires from football: "It has been a fantastic journey"|publisher=Fotbollskanalen Europa|language=sv|date=11 February 2015|access-date=12 February 2015}} However, in August 2015, he came out of retirement to help the latter team retain their status in the Superettan,{{cite news|url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/sverige/superettan/article21239436.ab|title="Chippen" gör comeback|trans-title="Chippen" makes a comeback|publisher=Aftonbladet|language=sv|date=11 August 2015|access-date=11 August 2015}} which was eventually not achieved.

International career

Gaining his first cap in 2001, Wilhelmsson represented Sweden at UEFA Euro 2004, Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, featuring in every one of the national team's four games in the latter tournament and starting in two.

On 4 September 2006 he was one of three international players sent home for breaking a curfew during a night out, the other two being Olof Mellberg and Zlatan Ibrahimović.[http://www.thelocal.se/4783/20060905/ Swedish football stars booted out of national squad]; The Local, 5 September 2006 In March 2011, he was involved in a training ground scuffle with the latter.[http://www.totalfootballmadness.com/2011/03/28/zlatan-ibrahimovic-kicks-christian-wilhelmsson-during-training-video/ Zlatan Ibrahimovic kicks Christian Wilhelmsson during training – Video] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421130217/http://www.totalfootballmadness.com/2011/03/28/zlatan-ibrahimovic-kicks-christian-wilhelmsson-during-training-video/ |date=21 April 2012 }}; Total Football Madness, 28 March 2011

Wilhelmsson scored his first brace for Sweden in a Euro 2012 qualifier against San Marino on 6 September 2011 (5–0 away win), for his seventh and eighth international goals.[https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2002076--san-marino-vs-sweden/ Five star Sweden too good for ten-man San Marino]; UEFA.com, 6 September 2011 He was also selected for the finals in Poland and Ukraine by manager Erik Hamren, collecting three bench appearances in an eventual group stage exit.

Personal life

Wilhelmsson married Russian-born model Oksana Andersson in May 2010, in Las Vegas.{{cite news|url=http://www.expressen.se/noje/extra/1.1999893/chippen-wilhelmsson-och-oksana-andersson-gifta-i-las-vegas|title=Chippen Wilhelmsson och Oksana Andersson gifta i Las Vegas|trans-title=Chippen Wilhelmsson and Oksana Andersson married in Las Vegas|publisher=Expressen|language=sv|date=25 May 2010|access-date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820195209/http://www.expressen.se/noje/extra/1.1999893/chippen-wilhelmsson-och-oksana-andersson-gifta-i-las-vegas|archive-date=20 August 2010|url-status=dead}} Aside from Swedish, he also speaks fluent English.

Career statistics

=Club=

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

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/christian-ulf-wilhelmsson/165/|title=C. Wilhelmsson|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=15 July 2014}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Mjällby

|1997

|Division 1 Södra

|6

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–60
1998

|Division 1 Södra

|21

400colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–214
1999

|Division 1 Södra

|25

700colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–257
colspan="2"|Total

!52||11||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||52||11

rowspan="5"|Stabæk

|2000

|Tippeligaen

|24

900colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–249
2001

|Tippeligaen

|25

600colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–256
2002

|Tippeligaen

|26

600colspan="2"|–|266
2003

|Tippeligaen

|9

400colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–94
colspan="2"|Total

!84||25||0||0||colspan="2"|–||

! ||84||25

rowspan="4"|Anderlecht

|2003–04

|Belgian Pro League

|27

500colspan="2"|–|275
2004–05

|Belgian Pro League

|32

400colspan="2"|–

|

|

324
2005–06

|Belgian Pro League

|31

500colspan="2"|–

|

|

315
colspan="2"|Total

!90||14||0||0||colspan="2"|–||

! ||90||14

Nantes

|2006–07

|Ligue 1

|13

00010colspan="2"|–140
Roma (loan)

|2006–07

|Serie A

|19

1003

|0

3

|0

251
Bolton (loan)

|2007–08

|Premier League

|8

0101030130
Deportivo (loan)

|2007–08

|La Liga

|15

1000000151
rowspan="5"|Al-Hilal

|2008–09

|Saudi Professional League

|18

494colspan="2"|–40318
2009–10

|Saudi Professional League

|21

983colspan="2"|–933815
2010–11

|Saudi Professional League

|22

662colspan="2"|–423210
2011–12

|Saudi Professional League

|8

511colspan="2"|–42138
colspan="2"|Total

!69||24||24||10||colspan="2"|–||21||7||114||41

Al Ahli (loan)

|2011–12

|Qatar Stars League

|11

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–110
LA Galaxy

|2012

|Major League Soccer

|5

10040colspan="2"|–91
Baniyas

|2013–14

|UAE Division One

|8

3colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–83
rowspan="3"|Mjällby

|2014

|Allsvenskan

|12

5colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–125
2015

|Superettan

|3

11020colspan="2"|–61
colspan="2"|Total

!15||6||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||18||6

colspan="3"|Career total

!389||86||26||10||11||0||27||7||453||103

=International=

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

|+Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Cite web|title=Christian Wilhelmsson - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/christian-wilhelmsson/6314b6b7-3b35-4ec6-97b4-60b5172eea7c/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-31|website=www.svenskfotboll.se.|language=sv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213404/https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/christian-wilhelmsson/6314b6b7-3b35-4ec6-97b4-60b5172eea7c/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 }}

!National team

!Year

!Apps

!Goals

rowspan="12" |Sweden

|2001

|1

|0

2002

|0

|0

2003

|3

|0

2004

|14

|1

2005

|8

|1

2006

|12

|1

2007

|10

|1

2008

|6

|0

2009

|5

|0

2010

|5

|1

2011

|8

|3

2012

|7

|1

colspan="2" |Total

!79

!9

:Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wilhelmsson goal.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Christian Wilhelmsson

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.13 October 2004Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland{{fb|Iceland}}align="center"|4–0align="center"|4–12006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.4 June 2005Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden{{fb|Malta}}align="center"|3–0align="center"|6–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.11 October 2006Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland{{fb|Iceland}}align="center"|2–1align="center"|2–1UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
4.13 October 2007Rheinpark, Vaduz, Liechtenstein{{fb|Liechtenstein}}align="center"|2–0align="center"|3–0UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
5.2 June 2010Dinamo Stadium, Minsk, Belarus{{fb|Belarus}}align="center"|1–0align="center"|1–0Friendly
6.2 September 2011Ferenc Puskás, Budapest, Hungary{{fb|Hungary}}align="center"|1–1align="center"|1–2UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
7.rowspan="2" | 6 September 2011rowspan="2" | Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marinorowspan="2" | {{fb|San Marino}}align="center"|2–0rowspan="2" align="center" | 5–0rowspan="2" | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
8.align="center"|5–0
9.30 May 2012Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden{{fb|Iceland}}align="center"|3–1align="center"|3–2Friendly

Honours

Anderlecht

Roma

Al-Hilal

LA Galaxy

Baniyas

Sweden

Individual

  • Stor Grabb: 2005{{Cite web|title=Stora Grabbars Märke - Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/landslag/herr/historik-herr/stora-grabbar/|access-date=2021-09-29|website=www.svenskfotboll.se|language=sv}}
  • Saudi Professional League: Silver Boot 2009–10, 2010–11

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Soccerbase}}
  • {{BDFutbol|4151}}
  • {{NFT|6410}}
  • {{FIFA player|186179}}
  • {{MLS player|christian-wilhelmsson}}

{{Navboxes

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{{Sweden Squad 2004 Euro}}

{{Sweden Squad 2006 World Cup}}

{{Sweden Squad 2008 Euro}}

{{Sweden squad UEFA Euro 2012}}

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilhelmsson, Christian}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Malmö

Category:Swedish men's footballers

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