Where Are They Now? Ex-Arsenal Legend Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg has been called many things over his career such as: amazing, fantastic, best Swedish player, and...useless?

Freddie Ljungberg started out playing for a club in the Swedish First Division called Halmstad BK. He was 14 when he joined the team and was a great young talent; three years later, he was moved up to the senior team and made his senior debut on the 23 October 1994 against AIK.

In 1995, Ljunberg scored his first professional goal as a player; he had 31 starts that season and Halmstad BK went on to win the swedish cup. He went on to score 16 goals for the club in 139 appearances and won both the Swedish cup and League title with the club. After 16 years with Hamstad BK, Ljunberg was making a name for himself with Barcelona, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Parma, and Arsenal looking to place a bid for his service.

Ljungberg was signed by Arsenal in 1998 for £3 million, which at the time was the biggest transfer fee ever for a Swedish player. Arsenal scouts watched him for over a year. Ljungberg proved himself without difficulty, and scored on his debut after coming on as a substitute against rival club Manchester united, the match ending 3-0.

Some of Ljungberg's best form came in the second half of the 2001-2002 season, when Arsenal won their second premiership and FA Cup double. Following a knee injury to Robert Pires, Ljungberg scored in most of Arsenal's remaining games, including a stunning finish for Arsenal's second goal in the 2-0 FA Cup final win over Chelsea.

Ljungberg became a regular in Arsenal's starting lineup following the departure of Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars in the summer of 2000. For several seasons he played a major role for the club including being a member of the unbeaten 49 game run for Arsenal. 

Despite a persistent ankle injury, Ljungberg played for Arsenal in the 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League Final in Paris on 17 May 2006.

It was speculated in January 2007 that Ljungberg was being forced to leave Arsenal after bosses became tired of a run of injuries restricting his play.

Though it was suggested he could make a move to West ham, later these speculations proved to be premature. "Ljungberg still has a lot to offer to Arsenal," Arsené Wenger said on 13 January 2007, at a Blackburn Rovers pre-match press-conference, stressing the fact that Ljungberg will stay at Arsenal until the end of his contract in 2009.

However, Ljungberg did indeed leave Arsenal before the end of his contract, making the move to West Ham in mid-2007.

In 2008, Ljungberg placed 11th in Arsenal.com's Gunners' Greatest 50 Players.

On 23 July 2007, after nine years at Arsenal, Ljungberg joined London rivals West Ham United on a four-year contract, making West Ham United only the third professional club in Ljungberg's career.

Ljungberg made his West Ham United debut on the opening day of the 2007/2008 Premier League season, in West Ham's 0-2 home defeat by Manchester City on 11 August, a game in which he was also captain.

After seven months at the club, Ljungberg finally scored his first goal for West Ham in the home match against Birmingham city on 9 February 2008, putting West Ham 1-0 up, with the game finishing at 1-1. Ljungberg also scored away at Sunderland a month later in a 1-2 defeat, being his final goal for the club.

In his last West Ham game of the season, Newcastle United player Steven Taylor landed on top of Ljungberg, consequently breaking his ribs. The injury sidelined Ljungberg for the rest of the season.

In May, it was reported that Ljungberg was offered £3m to tear up his contract. This was quickly dismissed by both Ljungberg's agents, Claes Elefalk and Scott Duxbury, West Ham's chief executive.

In June 2008, Ljungberg retired from the Swedish National team stating, "The simple fact is the physical strain of playing on the national team and in club football for such a long time has finally taken its toll. During this time, Ljungberg was linked to Greek club, Olympiakos.

People believed West Ham was eager to off-load the injury prone Ljungberg. The link to Olympiakos was quickly dismissed by Ljungberg's agent, Claes Elefalk.

Following the start of training camp, Ljungberg was no where to be seen. Many speculated a transfer was in the works despite Elefalk claims that Ljungberg was to return. Days later, Ljungberg agreed to terminate his contract only after one year into the four year deal for a sum of £6 million.

Ljungberg made a statement, "I gave my all at West Ham and enjoyed my time there but the decision is the best for the both of us. Now, I will take my time to consider my football future." Thus, ending Ljungberg's illustrious career in the Premier League.

After Ljungberg's West Ham exit, fans and sport pundits alike speculated about Ljungberg's future. On 8 August, Ljungberg was seen in Los Angles fueling rumors of a move to LA Galaxy which was quickly dismissed.

At the same time, there were rumors of four Italian clubs being interested in Ljungberg including Lazio, AC Milan, Roma, and Fiorentina. By the end of August, the transfer window was about to close and Ljungberg was linked to Portsmouth.

On 28 August, Ljungberg's agent told the Swedish press that Ljungberg was continuing to train at his old football club Halmstad BK, but was unsure of his football future. At the end of the transfer window, Ljungberg was linked to AS Monaco.

When Ljungberg declined to join AS Monaco after the transfer window closed, many believed Ljungberg was through with football. But in early September, Ljungberg was seen in New York City during the New york fashion week. This fueled rumors of an imminent retirement.

On 17 October, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Ljungberg may be a part of the new Major League Soccer franchise Seattle Sounders FC. On 28 October 2008, Seattle Sounders officially announced they had signed Ljungberg as their Designated player for the 2009 season. Ljungberg has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth $10 million per season.

Much like the contract of David Beckham and as is the norm for professional sports stars in the US, Ljungberg's contract will assure he keeps all of his private endorsement money.

In December 2008, it was announced that Ljungberg would undergo surgery to repair a persistent hip injury that has plagued him throughout his later career.

Surgeons repaired a slightly torn hip labrum and shaved a small amount of bone where the hip meets the femur to prevent future injury. The Seattle times reported that Ljungberg was expected to miss 10–12 weeks of training and possibly be sidelined for the team's inaugural game.

Ljungberg recovered from his hip injury sooner than expected. Although he did not take part of Seattle's preseason in Argentina, he did however do light training with IS halmia.

Once the Sounders returned to Seattle, Ljungberg joined in training. Despite his speedy recovery, Ljungberg did not participate in the inaugural game against New York Red Bulls. However, he did make his debut one week later on 28 March 2009, coming on as a 61st minute substitute in a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.

The following week he made his first start on 4th of April 2009 against Toronto FC where he also scored his first MLS goal.

Ljungberg played his first full game against Chivas USA in Los Angeles, which they lost 2-0. Ljungberg missed two games against Dallas and Colorado Rapids due to a migraine attack. He quickly recovered to play against Chivas USA.

On 30 May 2009, the Sounders drew their fifth match in a row against the Columbus Crew after Ljungberg missed a penalty shot in the 31st minute. Ljungberg scored his second goal of the season against the San Jose Earthquakes on 13 June 2009 as a result of beating Joe Cannon to the ball, lofting it over him and into the center of the net.

In the 59th minute, Ljungberg's corner kick set up Fredy Montero's goal which led the Sounders to a 2-0 victory. After playing DC United, Ljungberg suffered from some hamstring tightness. Ljungberg did suit up for the New York Red Bull game on 20 June 2009; however, he did not play as a result of the injury.

By Coby Bull

Sources: Sky Sports News, Wikepida, and the Daily Mail.