Anders Limpar

Anders Erik Limpar (born 24 September 1965 in Solna) is a Swedish former professional footballer and assistant coach of Sollentuna Fotbollsklubb. Limpar, who played as a winger, featured for clubs in Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, England, and the United States, appearing for IF Brommapojkarna, Young Boys, Cremonese, Arsenal, Everton, Birmingham City, AIK, Colorado Rapids and Djurgårdens IF. He was capped 58 times by Sweden, scoring 6 goals.

Early career

He started playing football in Brommapojkarna, famous for its production of footballing talent. He then played for Örgryte, joining in the wake of its sensational Swedish championship title in 1985. Although the team was not that successful, Limpar quickly became one of the hottest properties in Swedish football, which meant he was offered the chance to moved abroad to Switzerland with the Young Boys club of Bern. This was followed by a one-season spell in Italy with Cremonese during the 1989–90 season.

Arsenal

His club career peaked when he signed for Arsenal in the summer of 1990 from Cremonese for 1 million pounds. Limpar for the gunners went on to win the league title in the 1990–91 season, but sat on the sidelines injured for Arsenal's later 1993 wins in both the League and the FA Cups. He played a particularly notable part in the 1990–91 season, scoring some important goals, and impressing in his first season with exciting wing play and crowd-pleasing displays. These included a hat-trick against Coventry City a 6–1 win on the final day of the league season, by which time Arsenal were already champions. He managed a total of 13 goals that season, with 11 of them coming in the league. His footballing efforts won him the Golden Ball, Sweden's Guldbollen which is that nation's Player of the Year award in 1991. Limpar in all scored 20 goals and was capped 116 times for Arsenal at and away from Highbury where he was popular with the fans. He and manager Graham eventually fell out and with his contract due to come to an end in May of 1994, Limpar who was seeking a new deal at the club, wasn't offered a newer one by Graham.

Everton

On transfer deadline day in March 1994, Limpar transferred to Everton for £1.6 million, and while there he won the FA Cup a second time with Everton in 1995. Indeed, he played a vital role, his run from inside his own half leading to the winning goal by Paul Rideout. He also hit a memorable 50-yard reverse-pass which led to an Everton break-away that BBC commentator Barry Davies described as the 'pass of the match'.

However, Limpar fell out of favour at Goodison Park after 1995–96, making only two appearances for the club during the 1996–97 season.

Birmingham City

On 20 January 1997, Limpar was signed by Birmingham City for a fee of £100,000. He made his league debut on 1 February 1997, in a 1–2 away defeat against Bolton Wanderers. The move proved unsuccessful, as he made only four appearances, before the club later cancelled his contract in April 1997.

Later career

Moving back to Sweden on a free transfer to AIK in the summer of 1997, he won the Swedish championship (Allsvenskan) in 1998. After two years in Stockholm, he signed for Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids in February 1999. He stayed until November 2000. He returned to Sweden, signing for Djurgårdens IF. He failed to make an appearance for them, however, as he retired from the game in March 2001 at the age of 35, due to his declining physical condition.

In total, Limpar won 58 caps for Sweden, scoring 6 goals. He was a member of one of the most successful Sweden squads ever, the team that finished third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. However, he did not have a large role during the tournament, making just one substitute appearance, in the 3rd-place match.

Limpar began coaching the youth team at Djurgårdens IF. He was later appointed assistant manager for the Swedish second division team Sollentuna United. In October 2008, aged 43, he played a one-off game for Sollentuna United's reserve side in the position of left back.

After retiring from football in 2001, Limpar opened a bar, The Limp Bar, in central Stockholm, although it has since closed. In 2012 Limpar, together with colleague Mikael Crona, founded Swedish company Super Lock which produces plastic boxes. He currently is the CEO of betting site BestBetToday.com.

Limpar in 2011

Club

• First Division (1): 1991
• FA Charity Shield (1): 1991

• FA Cup (1): 1995
• FA Charity Shield (1): 1995

• Allsvenskan (1): 1998
• Svenska Cupen (1): 1999

• Superettan (1): 2000

International

• Maspalomas (1): 1988
• West Berlin Tournament (1): 1988
• Joe Robbie Cup (1): 1994
• Nordic Cup (1): 1994
• Carlsberg Cup (1): 1997
• King's Cup (1): 1996
• FIFA World Cup (1): 1994 Third place

Individual

• Guldbollen (1): 1991