Rasmus Lindgren facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rasmus Lindgren

Lindgren training for Red Bull Salzburg match in July 2011
Personal information
Date of birth	(1984-11-29) 29 November 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Landskrona, Sweden
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Centre back, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	BK Häcken (assistant)
Youth career
2002–2003	Landskrona BoIS
2003–2005	Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005	Ajax	4	(0)
2005–2008	FC Groningen	82	(4)
2008–2011	Ajax	54	(6)
2011–2012	Red Bull Salzburg	20	(1)
2013–2016	FC Groningen	86	(6)
2016–2021	BK Häcken	107	(1)
International career
2002–2002	Sweden U19	9	(0)
2004–2006	Sweden U21	9	(0)
2008–2009	Sweden	2	(0)
Managerial career
2022–2023	BK Häcken (U19)
2024–	BK Häcken (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 August 2020

Rasmus Lindgren (born November 29, 1984) is a Swedish former professional footballer. He played as a defender and midfielder. Rasmus started his football journey at Landskrona BoIS. He spent most of his career in the Netherlands with AFC Ajax and FC Groningen. He also played for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Rasmus retired from playing in 2021 at BK Häcken in Sweden. He also played two games for the Swedish national team between 2008 and 2009.

Rasmus Lindgren's Football Journey

Starting at Landskrona

Rasmus Lindgren was born in Landskrona, Sweden. He began his football career in the youth academy of Landskrona BoIS. He trained alongside other players who would also become professional footballers. Rasmus progressed through the club's youth system. He was even a substitute in a top-league game in 2003. However, he never played a full senior match for Landskrona BoIS.

Joining Ajax

On January 6, 2003, the Dutch club AFC Ajax was impressed by Rasmus. They offered him a professional contract after he had a trial with them. On January 17, 2003, it was announced that he signed a one-year contract with Ajax.

After joining Ajax, Rasmus played for the club's second team, called Jong Ajax, for two years. In March 2004, he signed an extension to his contract. For the 2004–05 season, Rasmus was moved up to the first team squad. He made his debut for Ajax on February 13, 2005, in a 2–1 win against NAC Breda. He was very happy to play his first game.

A few days later, on February 16, 2005, Rasmus played his first European match. He came on as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Auxerre in the UEFA Cup. Ajax offered him a new contract, but he didn't get many chances to play in the starting team. He played four matches at the end of the 2004–05 season.

Playing for FC Groningen

Lindgren training with Groningen in 2006

On August 9, 2005, Rasmus joined FC Groningen on a one-year loan. He made his debut for Groningen in the first game of the season, a 1–0 win against RBC Roosendaal. In the next match, he scored his first goal for the club. This was in a 2–1 loss against RKC Waalwijk.

His second goal came in January 2006, helping Groningen win 3–2 against NAC Breda. Fans even named him "Man of the Match." In March 2006, he signed a four-year deal to stay with FC Groningen permanently. He scored again in April 2006, in a 2–1 win against FC Utrecht.

Rasmus helped Groningen reach the play-offs for the UEFA Champions League. They beat AZ Alkmaar but then lost to his former club, Ajax. He became a key player for Groningen, playing 40 games and scoring three goals in his first season.

For the 2006–07 season, Rasmus continued to be a regular player in midfield. He scored his first goal of the season in a cup match in September 2006. In October 2006, he was sent off in a game but the suspension was later removed. He also made three assists that season. Despite some injuries, he played 34 games and scored once.

In the 2007–08 season, Rasmus remained an important midfielder. In December 2007, he helped Groningen by setting up three goals and scoring one himself. During his two-and-a-half years at FC Groningen, he played 82 league matches and scored 4 goals. He was a very important part of the team.

Returning to Ajax

Lindgren during his second time at Ajax in 2008

On January 28, 2008, Rasmus moved back to AFC Ajax, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his return debut for Ajax on February 3, 2008, in a 3–0 win against Feyenoord. He even helped set up a goal in that game. Two weeks later, he scored his first goal for Ajax and assisted two others in a big 6–2 win.

He suffered a hamstring injury but returned to play in the final league matches. He scored his second goal against his old club, FC Groningen, in April 2008. Ajax played in the play-offs for the UEFA Champions League but did not qualify. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Rasmus played 11 games and scored two goals. He was even named in the "Team of the Season" by a football magazine.

For the 2008–09 season, Rasmus continued to be a regular midfielder. He scored his first goal of the season in November 2008. In December, he was even captain for a match and scored again. However, he had another hamstring injury and was out for a month. He later suffered a concussion during a European match and was sidelined again. He returned in April 2009. He played 32 games and scored two goals that season.

Before the 2009–10 season, Rasmus had foot surgery. He found it harder to get playing time under the new coach. He wanted to stay and fight for his spot. He didn't play for the first team for three months but returned in January 2010. He scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw. However, he suffered a knee injury in February 2010 and missed the rest of the season. While he was injured, Ajax won the KNVB Cup. He played 8 games and scored once that season.

For the 2010–11 season, Rasmus wanted to stay at Ajax despite new competition. He scored an important goal in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match, helping Ajax reach the group stage. He then had a muscle injury and another knee injury. He returned in September 2010 and made his UEFA Champions League debut against A.C. Milan. He scored his first goal of the season in October 2010. He was later sent off in a match and missed two games. Despite injuries and less playing time, Rasmus helped Ajax win the league title that season. He played 26 games and scored two goals.

After this, Rasmus announced he was leaving Ajax for new challenges.

Time at Red Bull Salzburg

Rasmus Lindgren in his first league match for Red Bull Salzburg

On June 20, 2011, Rasmus Lindgren joined Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on a two-year deal. He made his debut for the club in a European match in July 2011. Three days later, he played his first league game, a 2–0 win. He missed a game due to a groin injury.

Lindgren watching a foul during a match between Rapid Wien and Red Bull Salzburg.

In July 2011, he was sent off in a league match but his team still won. He helped Red Bull Salzburg reach the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Rasmus played as a defensive midfielder and centre-back. He scored his first goal for the club in a cup match in September 2011. He scored again in March 2012. In May 2012, he helped Red Bull Salzburg win the league title. He also helped them win the Austrian Cup. In his first season, Rasmus played 34 games and scored two goals.

Lindgren about to mark a SV Ried player during a match between SV Ried and Red Bull Salzburg

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Rasmus played two games. However, he left Red Bull Salzburg in September 2012. He later explained that new coaches wanted to focus on younger players. He took legal action, and the club bought out his contract.

Back to Groningen

In November 2012, it was announced that Rasmus would return to FC Groningen on a three-year deal. He was very happy to be back. He started training with his new teammates.

On January 20, 2013, he played his first game back for Groningen. He played 83 minutes in a 2–0 loss. Rasmus quickly became a regular player again, playing in defensive midfield. Groningen finished seventh in the league. They played in the play-offs for a European spot but lost. Rasmus played 16 games that season.

Before the 2013–14 season, Rasmus was named the new captain of FC Groningen. He captained the first six league matches. He then had a hip injury and missed a game. He returned in September 2013. By March, he was back to being a regular starter and captain. He helped the club qualify for the UEFA Europa League. He played 25 games that season.

At the start of the 2014–15 season, Rasmus played in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, but Groningen lost. He played in the first five league matches before being sent off in September 2014. After his suspension, he returned and helped Groningen win a cup match. He then played mostly as a substitute for four months. In February 2015, he returned to the starting lineup as captain. He started playing as a centre-back.

He scored his first goal of the season in April 2015. A few days later, he helped Groningen reach the KNVB Cup final. Rasmus helped the team win the 2014–15 KNVB Cup, which was their first major trophy. This also qualified them for the UEFA Europa League. He played 30 games and scored once that season.

Before the 2015–16 season, Rasmus continued as captain. He played in the Johan Cruyff Shield. He then suffered an ankle injury and missed three games. He returned in September 2015. However, he injured his ankle again and was out for the rest of the year. He returned in January 2016 and continued as captain and centre-back. He scored his first goal of the season in April 2016. He scored again in the next game. In May 2016, he scored twice in the last league game. He scored again in the play-offs, which was his last game for Groningen. He missed the next game due to injury, and Groningen missed out on a European spot. He played 24 games and scored five goals that season.

In March 2016, it was announced that Rasmus would leave FC Groningen at the end of the season. He wanted to return to Sweden.

Playing for BK Häcken

2016 Season with BK Häcken

In May 2016, Rasmus Lindgren signed with the Swedish club BK Häcken. This was his first professional club in Sweden in 14 years. He made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw in a league game. He quickly became a key player as a centre-back. In September 2016, he suffered a concussion during a match and was out for several weeks. He returned in October 2016. At the end of the 2016 season, Rasmus played 14 games.

2017 Season with BK Häcken

Before the 2017 season, Rasmus was named the new captain of BK Häcken. He broke his nose in a friendly match in February 2017 but recovered. He captained his first match in a cup game. In March 2017, he scored his first goal for the club in a cup quarter-final. He helped BK Häcken keep two clean sheets in their first two league matches. In May 2017, he received a red card and was suspended for two games. He returned and scored his second goal for the club. Rasmus continued to play as a centre-back and helped BK Häcken finish fourth in the league. He scored his third goal of the season in a cup match. He also helped the team keep several more clean sheets. He played 31 games and scored three goals that season.

2018 Season with BK Häcken

At the start of the 2018 season, Rasmus continued as a regular centre-back and captain. He helped the club keep many clean sheets between February and May. In May 2018, he suffered a knee injury and was out for a month. He returned in July 2018 and helped set up a goal. He played five more games before missing one due to suspension. He returned in August 2018 and helped BK Häcken keep more clean sheets. He played 29 games that season.

2019 Season with BK Häcken

For the 2019 season, Rasmus continued as a regular centre-back and captain. In May 2019, he helped set up the only goal in a 1–0 win and was named "Team of the Week." He missed three games due to illness. He returned in May 2019. On May 30, 2019, Rasmus won his first trophy with BK Häcken. He played the full game as they won the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup) final 3–1. In September 2019, he signed a new contract with the club until 2021. He had wanted to stay with the club. He played 35 games that season.

2020 Season with BK Häcken

At the start of the 2020 season, Rasmus played in two cup matches, helping BK Häcken keep two clean sheets. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league season was delayed. Rasmus spoke about the club's decision to temporarily lay off players, saying everyone understood the situation and wanted to help the club. When the league restarted, Rasmus continued as a regular centre-back and captain. In June 2020, he set up two goals in a 2–2 draw. He then helped BK Häcken keep three clean sheets in a row. He also played in defensive midfield for two matches. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win in October 2020. Rasmus helped BK Häcken finish third in the league. Despite missing three games, he played 29 games and scored once that season.

Playing for Sweden

Youth Teams

In March 2002, Rasmus was first called up to the Sweden U18 team. He made his debut in April 2002. He played in the Slovakia Cup, which the U18 team won. In August 2002, he was called up to the Sweden U19 team. He played a total of nine games for the U18 and U19 teams.

In April 2004, Rasmus was called up to the Sweden U21 squad. He made his debut in a 2–0 loss. In June 2004, he played three times in the Toulon Tournament, where the U21 team reached the final. He played more games for the U21 team in 2006. Rasmus played a total of nine games for the U21 national team.

Senior National Team

On January 29, 2008, Rasmus was called up to the Swedish senior national team for the first time. However, he had to withdraw due to a thigh injury. Three months later, he was on the standby list for the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament.

He received another call-up in August 2008 but did not play. Rasmus made his debut for Sweden on November 19, 2008, in a 3–1 loss to the Netherlands. He made his second international appearance in a 2–0 loss to Serbia. Even though he only played two games, Rasmus said that playing for the national team was not his main focus, but he still enjoyed the experience.

About Rasmus Lindgren

Rasmus Lindgren has two siblings. His father, Bernt Göran Lindgren, used to be a professional ice hockey player. Rasmus has said that he considers the Netherlands his second home because he spent so much of his career there. When he was growing up, he was friends with fellow footballer Alexander Farnerud.

Rasmus is married and has two children. He has also shared that he planned to become a coach after he finished his playing career.

Career statistics

Club

International

Trophies and Awards

Ajax

• Eredivisie: 2010–11
• KNVB Cup: 2009–10

Red Bull Salzburg

• Austrian Bundesliga: 2011–12
• Austrian Cup: 2011–12

Groningen

• KNVB Cup: 2014–15

BK Häcken

• Svenska Cupen: 2018–19

See also

In Spanish: Rasmus Lindgren para niños