Henrik Larsson

:This article is about the Swedish footballer. For the Danish footballer, see Henrik Larsen.

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Henrik Larsson

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Henrik Larsson (born September 20, 1971 in Helsingborg, Skåne län, Sweden) is a Swedish international football player.

Related Topics:
September 20 - 1971 - Helsingborg - Skåne län - Sweden - Swedish international - Football

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Having completed seven very successful years with Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland, after the end of the 2003/04 season he signed a one year contract with an option for a second year for Spanish giants Barcelona. Despite having missed the majority of season 2004/2005 through injury, the option to play in season 2005/2006 was extended and accepted.

Related Topics:
Celtic - Glasgow - Scotland - Spanish - Barcelona

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Larsson started his professional career playing for Högaborg at the age of 17. He subsequently played for Helsingborgs IF and Feyenoord. Although he was finalising the details of the contract with Grasshopper-Club Zürich in 1993 he moved to Feyenoord for £295,000. He was signed by Celtic in July 1997 for a fee of £650,000. His debut, playing Hibernian at Easter Road, was less than spectacular; he inadvertently passed the ball to the other side, resulting in a 2 - 1 loss for Celtic. He didn't fare much better in his first European game, scoring on own goal, although Celtic did run out 6 - 2 winners.

Related Topics:
Högaborg - Helsingborgs IF - Feyenoord - Grasshopper-Club Zürich - Feyenoord - £ - Hibernian - Easter Road

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Larsson scored 242 goals for Celtic, in 315 matches, and in 2001 he won the "Golden Shoe" award for being Europe's top goal scorer.

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In 2004, The Swedish Football Association nominated Henke as the greatest Swedish football player of the last 50 years.

Related Topics:
2004 - Nominated

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His decision to retire from international football met with much dismay in his homeland and there was much clamouring for him to return to the team for their campaign at {{Ec2|2004}} in Portugal. Despite initially maintaining his decision to retire, turning down overtures from UEFA President Lennart Johansson and the Swedish Prime Minister in the process, he eventually returned to the national side at the behest of his son, and to great effect, scoring three goals in four matches and leading Sweden to the quarterfinals, where they were defeated in a penalty shootout by the Dutch.

Related Topics:
Portugal - UEFA - Swedish - Penalty shootout - Dutch

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Larsson's international record is impressive with 33 goals in 83 games, many of which he played in midfield or as a winger. He has always made his mark on big occasions and has scored at two World Cups (1994 at which Sweden came 3rd, and 2002), and two European Championships (2000 and 2004).

Related Topics:
World Cups - 1994 - 2002 - European Championships - 2000 - 2004

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He is married and has two children, Jordan (born 1997) and Janice (born 2002).

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