.jpg) Olsson playing forSweden atUEFA Euro 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Martin Tony Waikwa Olsson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1988-05-17)17 May 1988 (age 37)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Gävle, Sweden | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[3] | ||
| Position | Left back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Malmö FF | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2006 | Högaborgs BK | ||
| 2006–2007 | Blackburn Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007–2013 | Blackburn Rovers | 117 | (3) |
| 2013–2017 | Norwich City | 119 | (3) |
| 2017–2019 | Swansea City | 68 | (2) |
| 2020 | Helsingborgs IF | 25 | (0) |
| 2021 | BK Häcken | 10 | (1) |
| 2021– | Malmö FF | 70 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2006–2007 | Sweden U19 | 13 | (1) |
| 2007–2010 | Sweden U21 | 23 | (1) |
| 2010–2023 | Sweden | 56 | (5) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 29 July 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 00:01, 23 June 2023 (UTC) | |||
Martin Tony Waikwa Olsson (born 17 May 1988) is a Swedish professionalfootballer who plays as aleft back forMalmö FF.
Olsson signed forBlackburn Rovers fromHögaborgs BK in January 2006. In 2013, Premier League sideNorwich City signed him for an undisclosed fee. In January 2017, he left Norwich to join Swansea until 2019. In 2020, he signed withAllsvenskan clubHelsingborgs IF in his native Sweden before moving on to represent bothBK Häcken andMalmö FF.
A full international between 2010 and 2023, Olsson won 56caps for theSweden national team and represented his country atUEFA Euro 2012 and2016 as well as the2018 FIFA World Cup.
Olsson began his playing career in Sweden by playing forHögaborgs BK, where former national starHenrik Larsson began his career. Olsson was working his way through the youth setup at the club in 2005–06. His talent attracted the attention of football clubs in Europe and in January 2006Premier League clubBlackburn Rovers signed him for their youth academy.[citation needed]
He made his Blackburn debut in theUEFA Cup qualifier in the2007–08 season as a late substitution forStephen Warnock.[4][5]
He made his Premier League debut againstDerby County in a 2–1 victory on 30 December 2007, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute forMorten Gamst Pedersen atPride Park, in front of a crowd of 30,048 spectators and the referee wasPeter Walton. He was voted Blackburn's Young Player of the Year for the season 2007–08.[citation needed]
In May 2008, Olsson signed a new four-year contract, keeping him at Blackburn until June 2012.[citation needed]
On 24 September 2008, Olsson scored his first Blackburn goal, scoring the winning goal in aLeague Cup tie againstEverton. The goal turned out to be the only goal of the match. On 20 January 2010, he scored a spectacular overhead kick in a 6–4 League Cup semi-final defeat againstAston Villa in the 63rd minute atVilla Park.[6]
On 23 November 2009, Olsson was sent off for two yellow card offences onTottenham Hotspur wingerAaron Lennon. He scored his first Premier League goal on 10 February againstHull City atEwood Park in a 1–0 victory. Olsson made his 25th league appearance at home toBirmingham City on 24 March 2010 in a 2–1 win. On 28 March 2010, when he made his 40th appearance for Blackburn againstBurnley in theEast Lancashire derby atTurf Moor in the 1–0 victory, he caused controversy when he looked like he had dived inside Burnley's penalty area, consequently by winning apenalty after taking the ball round Burnley goalkeeperBrian Jensen. Subsequently, the penalty was scored byDavid Dunn.[7] On 29 March 2010, Olsson admitted to the dive, Rovers manager,Sam Allardyce defended Olsson by saying he was his man of the match and created havoc and chaos in and around the eighteen yard box all match.[8]
In June 2010, Olsson signed a new five-year deal at Blackburn Rovers that would keep him at the club until summer 2015.[9] At the start of the 2010–11 season, Olsson acquired the number three jersey by manager Sam Allardyce, which he had for most of pre-season. He featured in Rovers' opening 2010–11 Premier League match against Everton at Ewood Park on 14 August 2010, playing the full 90 minutes on the left-wing in a 1–0 victory. He scored his first league goal for Blackburn againstLiverpool inside 32 minutes on 5 January 2011 in a 3–1 victory at Ewood Park. On 12 February 2011, Olsson made his 50th Premier League appearance for the club when he started at left-back againstNewcastle United playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 draw. On 30 April 2011, he scored with a left-foot shot on 20 minutes against local rivalsBolton Wanderers at home. On 22 May, Olsson started and played the full 90 minutes againstWolverhampton Wanderers in a 3–2 win atMolineux which kept both teams up for another season in the Premier League. At the end of the season, he made 32 appearances for Rovers in total and scored two goals in all competitions.[citation needed]
Now considered a key player, Olsson started off the season at left back covering forGaël Givet who himself was covering for various injuries at centre back. Olsson provided an assist in a 4–3 victory over Arsenal. After running from the halfway line to the by-line, he pulled back a cross for Arsenal'sLaurent Koscielny to score an own goal. After helping Sweden qualify forUEFA Euro 2012, Olsson returned from international duty to put in a Man of the Match performance on the left wing againstQueens Park Rangers in a 1–1 draw atLoftus Road. At the end of the season, Olsson made 31 appearances in all competitions for Rovers as they were relegated after finishing in 19th place in the Premier League with just 31 points to their name.[10][11]
After picking up a minor injury in pre-season, Olsson made his comeback as an unused substitute on 28 August, againstMilton Keynes Dons atStadium mk in a 2–1 defeat as Blackburn were knocked out in the second round of the League Cup.[citation needed]
On 10 July 2013, Olsson was signed by Premier League side Norwich City for an undisclosed fee.[12] He signed a four-year deal at Carrow Road.[13] He scored his first goal for the club againstBury in the League Cup on 27 August 2013.[14] Olsson made 37 appearances in all competitions but could not prevent his new team from relegation in his return to Premier League football.[15][16]
On the opening day of the 2014–15 season, Olsson was sent off for two bookable offences in a 1–0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in theChampionship. He was later charged with improper conduct by theFA for allegedly making physical contact with referee Simon Hooper.[17] On 18 August, Olsson's ban was extended by a further three matches after the FA found him guilty of improper conduct, which Norwich announced they would not contend. He was also fined £3,000.[18] He returned from suspension for the match away atCardiff City where, with Norwich two goals down, he scored the first goal in a comeback that saw Norwich win the match 4–2.[19] From then on, he would be a permanent feature in the Norwich team, appearing in 42 of the 46 league matches, as the team finished third in the league to qualify for the Championship play-offs. Olsson played in all three matches including the 2–0 victory overMiddlesbrough in thefinal atWembley Stadium, which saw Norwich return to the Premier League at the first attempt.[20][21]
Olsson would however make fewer appearances in the2015–16 Premier League season, only appearing in 24 of the 38 league matches, including four appearances as a substitute, withRobbie Brady often being preferred at left-back. He would however score a dramatic winner on 2 April 2016 against Newcastle United. With the match 2–2 going into stoppage time, Olsson scored with a long-distance shot to give Norwich a 3–2 win.[22] The win was ultimately in vain however, as Norwich were relegated to the Championship again at the end of the season. The relegation was confirmed afterSunderland won 3–0 againstEverton where the Canaries were four points off safety.[23]
For the2016–17 season, Olsson was given the number 3 shirt[24] and would once more be a regular in the side, appearing in 19 of the first 26 league matches. He scored another goal for Norwich, the first in a 3–1 win overBurton Albion,[25] and also receive another red card two minutes into a match againstQueens Park Rangers when he handled to prevent a goal. Although QPR missed the resulting penalty, Norwich ultimately lost the match 2–1.[26] His last appearance for Norwich was in a 2–2 draw againstSouthampton in theFA Cup.[27]
On 17 January 2017, it was announced that Olsson had signed for Premier League clubSwansea City for around £4 million.[28] Olsson scored his first goal on 12 February 2017 in a match against reigning championsLeicester City[29] in a 2–0 victory for the Welsh club.[30]
Olsson became a first team regular in the2017–18 season, making a total of 36 appearances,[31] but could not prevent the club with relegation at the end of that season.[32] This meant that Olsson was set for a fourth Premier League relegation, same asRobert Green and former Norwich teammateSébastien Bassong, but one off the current record holdersHermann Hreiðarsson andNathan Blake.[33]
The club confirmed on 18 May 2019 that he will be released upon expiry of his contract.[34]
Olsson signed forHelsingborgs IF on a one-year contract ahead of the2020 Allsvenskan season and played in 25 league games as Helsingborg was relegated toSuperettan.[35]
After Helsingborg's relegation to Superettan, Olsson left the club to sign for the Allsvenskan clubBK Häcken.[36] He made 10 Allsvenskan appearances for the club during the2021 season before being bought by the reigningSwedish ChampionsMalmö FF.[37]
On 12 August 2021, Malmö FF announced the signing of Olsson.[38]
On 19 January 2023, Malmö's managerHenrik Rydström announced that Olsson had been partially suspended from training and the team's match squad due to repeated late arrival for meetings and training sessions.[39]
On 3 March 2024, during the final game of theSwedish Cup group stage, Varberg forwardYusuf Abdulazeez was shown a second yellow and subsequently a red card after a tackle onDerek Cornelius. In the commotion that ensued, Olsson punchedRobin Tranberg in the jaw and was instantly shown a red card. A police report was filed against Olsson but Malmö Police dismissed it shortly after.[40] Following the incident, theSwedish Football Association punished Olsson with a five match suspension until April 22, 2024.[41]
.jpg)
Olsson has played several matches for Sweden's under 18 and under 21 national squads.[42][43]
He was selected to be part of the senior 23-man squad that would faceBosnia and Herzegovina on 29 May andBelarus on 2 June 2010.[44] Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Olsson put Sweden back in front from close range in the 68th minute, two minutes after coming on as a substitute, and added his second in the 82nd fromMarcus Berg's center.[45][46][47] On 6 September 2011, he made his first start for the national team, playing at left back, and scored Sweden's third goal in the 81st minute of the 5–0 victory overSan Marino after a clever reverse pass byZlatan Ibrahimović in a Group E Euro 2012 qualifying fixture. In May 2012, Olsson was named in the 23-man squad to compete for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2012 and was given the number 5 shirt.[citation needed]
In May 2018 he was named inSweden's 23 man squad for the2018 World Cup inRussia.[48]
Olsson was born inGävle, Sweden,[49] to a Swedish father and Kenyan mother.[50] He has a twin brother,Marcus, who also is a professional footballer. His brother-in-law is formerDallas Mavericks basketball playerDirk Nowitzki, who is married to Martin's sister Jessica Olsson.[51]
His agent used to be the formerSweden international playerStefan Schwarz. Controversial agentRune Hauge has also worked for Olsson, after being introduced to him by former Blackburn Rovers teammate Morten Gamst Pedersen.[52]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2007–08[54] | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2008–09[55] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 15 | 1 | ||
| 2009–10[56] | Premier League | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 27 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11[57] | Premier League | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 32 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12[10] | Premier League | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 31 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13[58] | Championship | 29 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 0 | ||
| Total | 117 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 142 | 5 | ||
| Norwich City | 2013–14[16] | Premier League | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 37 | 1 | |
| 2014–15[20] | Championship | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
| 2015–16[59] | Premier League | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17[60] | Championship | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 1 | ||
| Total | 119 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 129 | 4 | ||
| Swansea City | 2016–17[60] | Premier League | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 2 | |
| 2017–18[31] | Premier League | 36 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Championship | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| Total | 68 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 2 | ||
| Helsingborg | 2020 | Allsvenskan | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 0 | ||
| Häcken | 2021 | Allsvenskan | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 1 | 12 | 2 | |
| Malmö FF | 2021 | Allsvenskan | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 2022 | Allsvenskan | 16 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 9[e] | 1 | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2023 | Allsvenskan | 20 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2024 | Allsvenskan | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[f] | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Total | 64 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 92 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 391 | 9 | 33 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 28 | 2 | 482 | 15 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 56 | 5 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 May 2010 | Råsunda Stadium,Solna, Sweden | 1 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2–1 | 4–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 3–1 | ||||||
| 3 | 6 September 2011 | Stadio Olimpico,Serravalle, San Marino | 4 |  San Marino | 3–0 | 5–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 4 | 7 October 2011 | Helsinki Olympic Stadium,Helsinki, Finland | 5 |  Finland | 2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| 5 | 11 October 2013 | Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden | 19 |  Austria | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Norwich City
Malmö FF
Individual
Sweden squads | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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