Kjell Olofsson

Dundee United

1996–97 season

Olofsson joined Scottish club Dundee United during the 1996–97 season. Brought in by then manager Tommy McLean, he made his debut as a trialist in the 1–0 victory over Hearts at Tannadice on 26 October 1996, along with fellow Scandinavian Erik Pedersen. Kjell scored his first goal seven days later in a 3–1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park and he instantly became a fan-favourite. In his first season, he finished top goal scorer with a total of 13 goals in 28 games. He played his part in impressive wins over both Rangers and Celtic and United only lost four matches in which he appeared and finished in third place in the Premier Division, having been promoted from the First Division the previous season.

1997–98 season

In his second season, he again finished top goalscorer with 23 goals. The season started promisingly for United, with an early 17–0 aggregate UEFA cup win over Andorran side CE Principat which saw Olofsson score his first, and only, European goal for the club. However, despite Kjell's goals United failed to live up to the glory of the previous season and only finished 7th in the Premier Division. He scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over Hibernian, which condemned the Edinburgh side to relegation to the First Division. The season did provide Kjell a medal, sadly for him and United fans it was only a runners up medal in the Scottish League Cup (they lost a distinctly one-sided final 3–0 to Celtic).

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