Andreas Granqvist is a Swedish former professional footballer known for his role as a centre-back.
He was awarded the prestigious Guldbollen, recognizing him as one of Sweden's top footballers.
Granqvist made his professional debut with Helsingborgs IF in 2004, marking the start of his successful career.
Biography
Early Life
Andreas Granqvist was born in 1985 in Påarp, Sweden. He began his football journey at a young age with his local club, Påarps GIF, before moving to Helsingborgs IF, where he made his professional debut in Allsvenskan in 2004. Granqvist quickly established himself as a key player, and in 2006, he captained Helsingborgs IF to victory in the Swedish Cup, marking a significant milestone in his early career.
Club Career
Granqvist's career took him across several clubs and leagues. In 2007, he had a brief stint with Wigan Athletic in the Premier League, where he signed a two-year deal after a successful loan. He returned to Helsingborg on loan in 2008 before moving to FC Groningen in the Netherlands, where he gained recognition for his impressive performances, including a remarkable 65-meter solo goal. In 2011, he transferred to Genoa CFC in Italy, and later to FC Krasnodar in Russia, where he played until 2018. Granqvist returned to Helsingborgs IF for a second spell, where he continued to contribute to the team until his retirement in 2021.
International Career
Granqvist's international career with the Swedish national team began in 2006, and he became a prominent figure after being appointed captain in 2016, succeeding Zlatan Ibrahimović. He led Sweden in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he scored two crucial penalties, helping the team reach the quarter-finals. His leadership and defensive skills were pivotal in Sweden's successful campaign, earning him the Player of the Match award in their opening game against South Korea.
Personal Life
Known affectionately as "Granen," which translates to "the spruce" in Swedish, Granqvist's nickname reflects his last name's meaning. He became a father for the second time in July 2018, while representing Sweden at the World Cup, showcasing his commitment to both family and football. Granqvist's journey from a local club to international stardom is a testament to his dedication and talent in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Born in Påarp, Sweden, Granqvist started his career with his local club, Påarps GIF. He later transferred to Helsingborgs IF and he made his debut in Allsvenskan, 2004. Two years later as team captain, the club won its third Swedish Cup title, defeating Gefle IF, 2–0. Others on the victorious Helsingborg side were Swedish internationals Henrik Larsson and Andreas Jakobsson as well as former Hibernian goalkeeper Daniel Andersson. In January 2007, he completed a loan move to Wigan Athletic with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. On 19 June 2007, he signed a two-year deal with Wigan, for a fee reported to be around £750,000. On 12 March 2008, he returned to Helsingborg on a loan deal until the end of the English season in June. On 9 July 2008, Granqvist signed a four-year contract with Dutch club, Groningen, with Wigan receiving a fee of around £600,000. On 13 September 2008, he scored after a 65-metre solo run, a remarkable feat, which he again managed to accomplish in the last match of the regular season on 10 May 2009. On 15 June 2011, Groningen sold Granqvist to Genoa for €2 million. The Swedish international has signed a four-year contract with the Italian club.
On 16 August 2013, Granqvist moved from Genoa to Russian Premier League side Krasnodar. On 28 January 2018, Helsingborgs IF announced that Granqvist would return following the World Cup. He would join the club on a 3.5-year player contract that would be followed by a three-year term as the director of…
Granqvist played for the Swedish national team, and, in May 2008, he was included in Sweden's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He was an unused substitute in all three of Sweden's games. In 2011, he played in the finals of the Cyprus International Football Tournament, but Sweden lost to Ukraine. On 6 July 2016 Granqvist was appointed captain of Sweden by the new manager Janne Andersson. Granqvist succeeded Zlatan Ibrahimović after the latter's retirement from the national team following UEFA Euro 2016. In May 2018, he was named in the 23-man Sweden squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He captained the team for their opening World Cup fixture against South Korea on 18 June 2018. Over the course of the match he provided several long balls over the top which posed a threat to the South Korean defenders. In the 65th minute he scored the only goal of the game, calmly slotting home from the penalty spot. He was given the Player of the Match award. Nine days later, he scored another penalty, the second goal in a 3–0 win over Mexico which meant Sweden qualified for the next round and topped the group. Overall, Granqvist played a full 90 minutes in all games as Sweden were eliminated by England in the quarter final. In May 2021, Granqvist was somewhat controversially included in Sweden's 26-man squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020, since he had not made an appearance for the national team for nearly two years due to ongoing injury problems. He didn't appear in any of their…
Club
International
Sweden's score is listed first, and the score column indicates the score after each Granqvist goal.
- Club
- Genoa CFC (2011–2013)
- Club
- FC Groningen (2008–2011)
- Club
- Helsingborgs IF (2004–2007)
- Club
- Wigan Athletic F.C. (2007–2007)
- Club
- Wigan Athletic F.C. (2007–2008)
- Club
- Helsingborgs IF (2008–2008)
- Club
- FC Krasnodar (2013–2018)
- Club
- Sweden national under-21 football team (2004–2006)
- Club
- Sweden men's national football team (2006–2021)
- Club
- Helsingborgs IF (2018–2021)
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- Sweden
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Guldbollen
Personal
Granqvist goes by the nickname "Granen" (Swedish for 'the spruce'; IPA: [ˈɡrɑ̌ːnɛn]), originating from his last name which means "spruce twig". Granqvist became a father for a second time after his wife Sofie gave birth in Helsingborg on 6 July 2018, while he was with the Sweden team at the World Cup in Russia.
Clubs
- Helsingborgs IF2004–2007
- Sweden national under-21 football team2004–2006
- Sweden men's national football team2006–2021
- Wigan Athletic F.C.2007–2007
- Wigan Athletic F.C.2007–2008
- FC Groningen2008–2011
- Helsingborgs IF2008–2008
- Genoa CFC2011–2013
- FC Krasnodar2013–2018
- Helsingborgs IF2018–2021
Played together with
Aarón MartínGenoa CFC · 2023–2026Abdoulay KonkoGenoa CFC · 2007–2008
Abdoulay KonkoGenoa CFC · 2011–2011
Abdul KhaliliHelsingborgs IF · 2009–2011
Abdul KhaliliHelsingborgs IF · 2014–2014
Adam ForshawWigan Athletic F.C. · 2014–2015
Adam Le FondreWigan Athletic F.C.
Adama TambouraHelsingborgs IF · 2006–2010
Adaílton Martins BolzanGenoa CFC · 2006–2007
Adel TaarabtGenoa CFC · 2017–2018
Adolphe TeikeuFC Krasnodar · 2013–2013
Adri van TiggelenFC Groningen · 1983–1986
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Andreas Granqvist is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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