Peter Nilsson (footballer, born 1958) explained

Peter Nilsson
Fullname:Peter Ulf Nilsson
Birth Date:8 August 1958
Birth Place:Lycksele, Sweden
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:–1974
Youthclubs1:Lycksele IF
Years1:1974–1977
Clubs1:Lycksele IF
Years2:1978–1981
Clubs2:Östers IF
Caps2:100
Goals2:22
Years3:1981–1984
Clubs3:Club Brugge
Caps3:77
Goals3:7
Years4:1984–1987
Clubs4:Kalmar FF
Caps4:84
Goals4:9
Years5:1988–1991
Clubs5:Örebro SK
Caps5:78
Goals5:2
Nationalyears1:1975
Nationalteam1:Sweden U17
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1975–1977
Nationalteam2:Sweden U19
Nationalcaps2:25
Nationalgoals2:6
Nationalyears3:1978
Nationalteam3:Sweden U21
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:1979–1984
Nationalteam4:Sweden
Nationalcaps4:35
Nationalgoals4:0

Peter Ulf Nilsson (born 8 August 1958) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He won three Allsvenskan titles with Östers IF, played professionally in Belgium for Club Brugge KV, and won Svenska Cupen with Kalmar FF during a career that spanned between 1974 and 1991. A full international between 1979 and 1984, he won 35 caps for the Sweden national team.

Club career

Nilsson started off his career at Lycksele IF, helping them advance from Division 4 to Division 1 between 1974 and 1977.[1] Following his success in the lower divisions, he was signed to Östers IF in Allsvenskan by the legendary manager Stig Svensson.[2] While at Öster, Nilsson was part of the team that went on to win the 1978, 1980, and 1981 Allsvenskan titles.

After his success with Öster, Nilsson signed for Club Brugge KV in the Belgian First Division during the 1981–82 season.[3] In total, he made 88 appearances for the Belgian club in all competitions before returning to Sweden and signing for Kalmar FF.

He had a successful first few seasons with Kalmar, and helped the team finish second in the 1985 Allsvenskan.[4] The next few years proved significantly less successful for the club in league play, as Kalmar was relegated from Allsvenskan in 1986 and then relegated again the following season from Division 1 down to Division 2. However, during these struggling years Kalmar with Nilsson in midfield managed to win the 1986–87 Svenska Cupen after beating GAIS in the final at Råsunda Stadium.[4]

Nilsson left Kalmar after the relegation to Division 2 to sign for the Allsvenskan club Örebro SK, where he played for four seasons before finishing up his career in 1991.[5]

International career

Nilsson represented the Sweden U17, U19, and U21 teams a total of 32 times before making his senior Sweden debut in a friendly game against the Soviet Union on 19 April 1979 at the age of 20.[6]

He made his first competitive appearance for Sweden in a UEFA Euro 1980 qualifier against Czechoslovakia which Sweden lost 1–4. He also took part in the qualifying campaigns for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1984, and the 1986 FIFA World Cup (as an unused substitute) but did not play in a major tournament. He won his 35th and final cap on 22 August 1984 in a friendly against Mexico.

He was named Stor Grabb in 1980.[7]

Career statistics

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Sweden1979100
198080
1981100
198250
198310
198410
Total350

Honours

Östers IF

Kalmar FF

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-09-10. Bildspecial: Fotbollsnostalgi från LIF:s storhetstid. 2020-09-09. www.folkbladet.nu. sv-SE.
  2. Web site: Historia. 2020-09-09. ostersif.se. sv.
  3. Web site: 2017-09-19. Peter Nilsson. 2020-09-09. Club Brugge.
  4. Web site: Historia. 2020-09-09. Kalmar FF. sv-SE.
  5. Web site: Källberg. Tomas. Peter Nilsson förstärker Nora BK. 2020-09-09. 24i. sv-SE.
  6. Web site: Peter Nilsson - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll. 2020-09-09. www.svenskfotboll.se.. sv.
  7. Web site: Stora Grabbar — svenskfotboll.se. 2020-09-09. www2.svenskfotboll.se.