Jonas Olsson (born 1983)
Encyclopedia
Jonas Olsson is a Swedish
footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion
in the Premier League and for the Sweden national football team
as a centre-back.
and made his debut in professional football in 2003 as part of the Landskrona BoIS
squad. Olsson is considered to be a very tough defender, playing as a centreback or leftback. He considers fellow Swedish defender Olof Mellberg
to be an inspiration.
Two years later he was sold for €750,000 to Dutch side N.E.C. Nijmegen. While playing in Sweden Olsson was known for his physical play and in 2004 he was the player who picked up the most cautions that year. Playing for NEC Nijmegen evolved his game and the cautions became a thing of the past. Olsson himself says that the Dutch man-man marking approach to defense has improved his game.
He was linked with a move to the Premiership several times with Bolton Wanderers
, Middlesbrough
, Newcastle United
and Everton
. Olsson scored three goals in the Eredivisie in 2007–08.
On 22 August 2008, Olsson was linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion
.
On 29 August 2008 West Bromwich Albion confirmed his signing subject to a medical for an initial fee of £800,000 with a possible £360,000 of performance related add ons.
Olsson made his first appearance, starting against West Ham United
on 13 September 2008. He scored his first goal for West Brom, in a 1–0 win away to Middlesbrough. Olsson went on to score two more goals in the 2008/09 season. The first coming in the FA Cup
against Peterborough
, and the second was the first goal in West Brom's 3–0 win over Sunderland on 25 April 2009.
In a match against Doncaster Rovers on September 15, 2009, Olsson headed two goals. Thirteen days later, he signed a new four-year deal which is set to keep him at the club until 2013. On 23 October 2010, Olsson picked up an achilles injury during the win over Fulham
and was ruled out for up to six weeks. He then made his return to the starting line-up against Blackburn on 23 January 2011, completing the full 90 minutes, partnering Gabriel Tamas
in defence in a 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park
.
Olsson was included in new coach Erik Hamrén's squad for the friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina
and Belarus
in 2010. He never came off the bench in the match against Bosnia and Hercegovina. The next match against Belarus
saw Olsson play from start. Today he is a regular with coach Hamrén's squad, but spends most of his time on the bench.
cable network Viasat
acquired the broadcasting rights for the Premier League 2010–11
season, the network hired several new television presenters and journalists. Olsson has signed up with Viasat
and will appear via satellite link and telephone to provide a players perspective on the matches and the Premiership. He added that this will give him a chance to promote West Brom
in Sweden
.
, Nirvana
, The Rolling Stones
, Oasis
, Babyshambles
and The Who
as some of his favourite artists.
Olsson has stated that once he is done with his professional football career, he wants to qualify as a lawyer
and work within the sphere of human rights. He has already taken introduction classes on the subject
in Sweden
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in the Premier League and for the Sweden national football team
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
as a centre-back.
Club career
Olsson was born in LandskronaLandskrona
Landskrona is a locality and the seat of Landskrona Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 28,670 inhabitants in 2005.-History:The city of Landskrona was founded at the location of Scania's best natural harbour, as a means of King Eric of Pomerania's anti-Hanseatic policy, intended to compete...
and made his debut in professional football in 2003 as part of the Landskrona BoIS
Landskrona BoIS
Landskrona BoIS is a Swedish professional football club located in Landskrona, which currently plays in the second highest Swedish division, Superettan. The club, formed on 7 February 1915 was a merger of two clubs from the city of Landskrona; IFK Landskrona and Diana...
squad. Olsson is considered to be a very tough defender, playing as a centreback or leftback. He considers fellow Swedish defender Olof Mellberg
Olof Mellberg
Erik Olof Mellberg is a Swedish international footballer currently playing for Olympiacos in the Greek Superleague. He generally plays as a central defender or right-back.-Early years:...
to be an inspiration.
Two years later he was sold for €750,000 to Dutch side N.E.C. Nijmegen. While playing in Sweden Olsson was known for his physical play and in 2004 he was the player who picked up the most cautions that year. Playing for NEC Nijmegen evolved his game and the cautions became a thing of the past. Olsson himself says that the Dutch man-man marking approach to defense has improved his game.
He was linked with a move to the Premiership several times with Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. Olsson scored three goals in the Eredivisie in 2007–08.
On 22 August 2008, Olsson was linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
.
On 29 August 2008 West Bromwich Albion confirmed his signing subject to a medical for an initial fee of £800,000 with a possible £360,000 of performance related add ons.
Olsson made his first appearance, starting against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on 13 September 2008. He scored his first goal for West Brom, in a 1–0 win away to Middlesbrough. Olsson went on to score two more goals in the 2008/09 season. The first coming in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
against Peterborough
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, and the second was the first goal in West Brom's 3–0 win over Sunderland on 25 April 2009.
In a match against Doncaster Rovers on September 15, 2009, Olsson headed two goals. Thirteen days later, he signed a new four-year deal which is set to keep him at the club until 2013. On 23 October 2010, Olsson picked up an achilles injury during the win over Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
and was ruled out for up to six weeks. He then made his return to the starting line-up against Blackburn on 23 January 2011, completing the full 90 minutes, partnering Gabriel Tamas
Gabriel Tamas
Gabriel Sebastian Tamaș is a Romanian footballer who currently plays for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.-Club career:Tamaș started his career at Romanian clubs in lower divisions...
in defence in a 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
.
International career
Olsson was a regular for the Swedish under 21-squad. He was capped 19 times, scoring one goal.Olsson was included in new coach Erik Hamrén's squad for the friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Belarus
Belarus national football team
The Belarus national football team represents Belarus in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus, the governing body for football in Belarus. Belarus' home ground is Dinamo Stadium in Minsk...
in 2010. He never came off the bench in the match against Bosnia and Hercegovina. The next match against Belarus
Belarus national football team
The Belarus national football team represents Belarus in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus, the governing body for football in Belarus. Belarus' home ground is Dinamo Stadium in Minsk...
saw Olsson play from start. Today he is a regular with coach Hamrén's squad, but spends most of his time on the bench.
Television work
When SwedishSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
cable network Viasat
Viasat
Viasat is a DBS distributor and TV broadcaster, owned by the Swedish media conglomerate Modern Times Group. Broadcasting from London, the target markets are in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries...
acquired the broadcasting rights for the Premier League 2010–11
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
season, the network hired several new television presenters and journalists. Olsson has signed up with Viasat
Viasat
Viasat is a DBS distributor and TV broadcaster, owned by the Swedish media conglomerate Modern Times Group. Broadcasting from London, the target markets are in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries...
and will appear via satellite link and telephone to provide a players perspective on the matches and the Premiership. He added that this will give him a chance to promote West Brom
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
Personal life
When not playing football, Olsson enjoys playing the guitar. He lists Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
, Babyshambles
Babyshambles
Babyshambles are an English indie rock band established in London. The band was formed by Pete Doherty during a hiatus from his former band The Libertines, but Babyshambles has since become his main project . Babyshambles has released two albums, three EPs and a number of singles...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
as some of his favourite artists.
Olsson has stated that once he is done with his professional football career, he wants to qualify as a lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and work within the sphere of human rights. He has already taken introduction classes on the subject
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.