Tomas Brolin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tomas Brolin

Brolin at the Swedish Sports Awards in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Per Tomas Brolin
Date of birth	(1969-11-29) 29 November 1969 (age 55)
Place of birth	Hudiksvall, Sweden
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder, forward
Youth career
1976–1983	Näsvikens IK
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1984–1986	Näsvikens IK	36	(10)
1987–1989	GIF Sundsvall	55	(13)
1990	IFK Norrköping	9	(7)
1990–1995	Parma	133	(20)
1995–1997	Leeds United	19	(4)
1996	→ FC Zürich (loan)	3	(0)
1997	→ Parma (loan)	11	(0)
1998	Crystal Palace	13	(0)
1998	Hudiksvalls ABK	1	(0)
Total		280	(54)
International career‡
1986–1987	Sweden U18	9	(3)
1988–1992	Sweden U21/Olympic	16	(6)
1990–1995	Sweden	47	(27)
Medal record  Sweden FIFA World Cup Bronze 1994
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 May 2007 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 May 2007

Per Tomas Brolin (born 29 November 1969) is a Swedish former professional footballer. He played as a forward and midfielder.

Tomas Brolin had a very successful time playing for Parma in Italy during the early 1990s. With Parma, he helped his team win several important trophies. These included the Italian Cup in 1992, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1993, the UEFA Super Cup in 1993, and the UEFA Cup in 1995. He also played for other clubs like Näsvikens IK, GIF Sundsvall, IFK Norrköping, Leeds United, FC Zürich, Crystal Palace, and Hudiksvall ABK. His career as a player lasted from 1984 to 1998.

Brolin also played for the Swedish national team from 1990 to 1995. He played in 47 games and scored 27 goals. He was a key player when Sweden finished third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also played for Sweden in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1992, and the 1992 Summer Olympics. Tomas Brolin was named Sweden's best footballer, winning the Guldbollen award in both 1990 and 1994.

In November 1994, just before his 25th birthday, Brolin broke a bone in his foot. This injury kept him out of the game for five months. After he returned, he found it hard to play as well as he did before. He struggled with his form, injuries, and weight. Because of these challenges, he decided to retire from football at the age of 28.

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Tomas Brolin played his first league match as an adult for Näsvikens IK in 1984. He was only 14 years old at the time. He played 36 games for this club, which was in the fourth division of Swedish football.

Later, GIF Sundsvall noticed Brolin's talent. They offered him a contract that allowed him to continue his education while also improving his football skills. In 1986, Brolin joined a football academy in Sundsvall. He then signed with GIF Sundsvall and played his first game for their main team in 1987.

After three seasons with Sundsvall, Brolin moved to IFK Norrköping. In the spring season of 1990, he scored 7 goals in just 9 games.

Playing for Parma in Italy

In 1990, Tomas Brolin signed with the Italian club Parma. This was right after Parma had been promoted back to Serie A, which is Italy's top football league. He quickly became a strong player for Parma, working well with his teammate Alessandro Melli. Together, they scored 20 goals in their first season. Parma finished fifth in the league, which was a great achievement. It was the first time the team had ever qualified for European competitions.

In the 1991–92 season, Brolin played in all 34 of Parma's Serie A matches, scoring four goals. Parma finished sixth in the league. They also won the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup). Brolin scored two important goals in this cup run. Parma beat Juventus 2–1 over two games in the final to win their first-ever trophy.

In the 1992–93 season, Parma won the European Cup Winners' Cup. After this success, the club bought two new foreign players. This meant that Brolin's spot in the team was not guaranteed. Clubs could only play three foreign players in a match. Brolin helped the team win the European Cup Winners' Cup by beating Royal Antwerp 3–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

The next season, Parma signed more new players. Coach Nevio Scala decided to play Brolin in a deeper midfield position. He played alongside other midfielders, with two forwards leading the attack. Parma reached the final of the 1993–94 European Cup Winners' Cup again. They played against English team Arsenal but lost 1–0.

Foot Injury and Recovery

On 16 November 1994, Brolin broke his foot during a game for Sweden. At that time, Parma was at the top of the league. When he returned to play on 23 April 1995, Parma was behind the league leaders. Brolin struggled to find his best form and fitness after the injury. He was even sent off for the first time in his career in the last game of the season.

Leaving Parma

During the break, Parma signed a new forward, Hristo Stoichkov. Brolin tried to get back to full fitness for the new season. He scored in some friendly games, but his coach felt he was not fit enough to play in central midfield.

Brolin made a few appearances at the start of the 1995–96 season. However, it was clear he would not play regularly because he was not in top form. After five years with the club, Brolin decided to leave Parma to find more playing time.

Time at Leeds United

Tomas Brolin joined Leeds United in England on 7 November 1995. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. The manager, Howard Wilkinson, thought Brolin would be a great partner for the team's top scorer, Tony Yeboah.

Brolin made his Premier League debut a day after signing. He came on as a substitute against Newcastle United. Four days later, he started his first game for Leeds in a League Cup win. Fans quickly gave Brolin the nickname "Baby-Faced Assassin."

Brolin scored his first goal for Leeds on 16 December. He scored two more goals in January, helping Leeds win 2–0. However, after a big loss to Liverpool, Brolin and the manager had a disagreement. The manager felt Brolin was not helping enough with defense. Brolin later said he played poorly on purpose because he was being played in the wrong position. He felt he was being made to run on the wing "like an idiot" instead of playing in the middle.

Brolin's future at Leeds became uncertain. In May, it was announced he needed surgery on his ankle.

Loan to FC Zürich

In the middle of 1996, Brolin looked for a new club. Leeds announced they were willing to sell him for much less than they paid. The Leeds manager fined Brolin for not showing up for pre-season training.

Brolin joined the Swiss club FC Zürich on loan in August 1996. He played three league games and one cup match for Zürich. Brolin wanted to stay longer, but Leeds' new coach, George Graham, wanted him back. Leeds even stopped paying Brolin's wages when he refused to return.

Loan Back to Parma

A possible loan move to another Italian club, Sampdoria, did not happen because of a medical issue with his foot.

On 24 December, Brolin paid some of his own money to go back to Parma on loan until the end of the season. He trained with the club and started playing again in February 1997. He made several substitute appearances and one start. Parma finished second in the league, their best position ever. By the end of the season, Parma decided not to keep Brolin permanently. They had only taken him on loan to help him get fit again.

Leaving Leeds United for Good

Brolin's loan with Parma ended in June 1997. He was supposed to return to Leeds, but coach George Graham did not want him on the team's pre-season tour. Brolin was told to find another club on loan or play for the reserve team.

After two failed loan deals, Brolin continued to train with the reserves. In October, he was fined for missing a match and for criticizing the coach in the media. On 28 October 1997, Brolin's contract with Leeds was ended.

Even though his ankle injury healed, Brolin never played as well as he did before. He played 19 league games for Leeds United and scored four goals. Some Leeds fans remember him as one of the club's most disappointing players.

Playing for Crystal Palace

On 16 November 1997, Steve Coppell, the manager of Crystal Palace, offered Brolin a two-week trial. Brolin was training with another club in Sweden at the time.

The trial started on 5 January 1998. Because Crystal Palace had few players, Brolin was asked to play in a league match. He played against Everton on 10 January. He scored a goal, but it was ruled offside. Crystal Palace lost the game, but Brolin was given a contract until the end of the season.

In his third game, Brolin played against his old club, Leeds United. Brolin was still overweight but started the game. After five minutes, he had to leave the field after a collision that left him needing stitches. He returned to the field later, but Palace could not beat Leeds.

Brolin played 12 more games for Palace, mostly as a striker. Crystal Palace was later taken over by a new owner, Mark Goldberg. The manager, Steve Coppell, stepped down, and player Attilio Lombardo became the player-manager. Brolin was widely reported to be his assistant coach, but the chairman said Brolin was only Lombardo's interpreter.

Brolin's last game was on 27 April 1998. Crystal Palace was relegated from the Premier League. On 14 May 1998, he was released from the club and went back to Sweden to think about his future.

Retirement from Football

On 12 August 1998, Tomas Brolin announced he was retiring from football. He played his very last game on 29 August 1998 for Hudiksvalls A.B.K. He played the last 15 minutes of the game as a goalkeeper!

International Career for Sweden

Early Days and the 1990 World Cup

When Tomas Brolin was 20, he moved to IFK Norrköping. In his first league game for the club, he scored three goals. This amazing start caught the attention of Sweden's national coach, Olle Nordin. Sweden had just qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1978.

Just 18 days later, on 25 April, Brolin played for Sweden against Wales. He scored two goals in six minutes, helping Sweden win 4–2. He scored two more goals in the next match against Finland. Because of his great performances, Brolin was chosen to lead the Swedish attack in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Sweden did not win any games in that tournament, but Brolin scored against Brazil. Soon after, Parma signed him, and he won his first Guldbollen award as Sweden's best footballer of the year.

Euro 1992 Success

At UEFA Euro 1992, Brolin was one of the top goal scorers, with three goals. His goal against England especially helped him become more famous.

The 1994 World Cup

Brolin went to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States in the best shape of his career. He was 24 years old. Sweden was not expected to go very far in the tournament. They tied their first game against Cameroon. Things improved in their next game against Russia, which Sweden won 3–1.

In their final group match, Sweden tied 1–1 with Brazil, who were favorites to win the tournament. Brolin set up Sweden's goal. This result helped Sweden reach the second round.

Brolin scored three goals for Sweden in the 1994 World Cup. Sweden finished third in the competition, which was a fantastic achievement. Brolin's great performances earned him a spot in the World Cup All-Star Team. In the quarter-final against Romania, he scored one of his most famous goals. Everyone expected a different player to shoot from a free-kick, but Brolin scored with a clever pass. He received his second Guldbollen award in 1994.

Euro 1996 Qualifiers and Retirement from National Team

On 16 November 1994, Brolin broke his foot during a game to qualify for UEFA Euro 1996. On 7 May 1995, a week after returning from his injury, Brolin played for Sweden against Iceland. He scored a penalty, but his team did not win the game.

In April 1996, Brolin was not chosen for a friendly game. He said he needed to recover to be able to help the national team. Sweden did not qualify for Euro 1996. Brolin never played for his country again. In total, he played 47 games for Sweden and scored 27 goals.

How Tomas Brolin Played

Tomas Brolin was a very skilled and energetic footballer. In his best years, he was known for his excellent dribbling skills. He also had great passing ability and could shoot powerfully. He was a versatile player, meaning he could play in many different positions. He often played as an attacking midfielder because he was good at setting up goals for his teammates. He also played as a striker, winger, central midfielder, and a deep-lying forward. This was because he worked hard and understood tactics well. Sadly, his career was affected by several injuries, which made him retire early.

Life After Football

After retiring from football, Tomas Brolin became a businessman. He returned to Sweden and for a while owned an Italian-Swedish restaurant called Undici. "Undici" means "11" in Italian, which was the number he wore when he played for Parma. Brolin also put money into real estate and a company that sold a new type of vacuum cleaner part. He even appeared in a music video by Dr. Alban with other famous Swedish sports stars.

In 2001, Brolin had his first child, a boy named Sebastian. He later married Annika Duckmark, a former Miss Sweden and TV presenter. They were married until 2006.

Since 2006, Brolin has been an active World Series of Poker player. He has played in several big poker tournaments around the world.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Brolin goal.

List of international goals scored by Tomas Brolin

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	25 April 1990	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Wales	1–0	4–2	Friendly
2				2–0
3	27 May 1990	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Finland	3–0	6–0	Friendly
4				4–0
5	10 June 1990	Stadio delle Alpi, Turin, Italy	Brazil	1–2	1–2	1990 FIFA World Cup
6	5 June 1991	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Colombia	1–0	2–2	Friendly
7	5 June 1991	Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden	Soviet Union	1–0	2–3	Scania 100 Tournament
8				2–2
9	15 June 1991	Idrottsparken, Norrköping, Sweden	Denmark	4–0	4–0	Scania 100 Tournament
10	8 August 1991	Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway	Norway	1–1	2–1	Friendly
11	14 June 1992	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Denmark	1–0	1–0	UEFA Euro 1992
12	17 June 1992	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	England	2–1	2–1	UEFA Euro 1992
13	21 June 1992	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Germany	1–2	2–3	UEFA Euro 1992
14	2 June 1993	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Israel	1–0	5–0	1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
15				2–0
16				4–0
17	20 April 1994	Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales	Wales	2–0	2–0	Friendly
18	5 June 1994	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Norway	1–0	2–0	Friendly
19				2–0
20	24 June 1994	Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, United States	Russia	1–1	3–1	1994 FIFA World Cup
21	10 July 1994	Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, United States	Romania	1–0	2–2	1994 FIFA World Cup
22	16 July 1994	Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States	Bulgaria	1–0	4–0	1994 FIFA World Cup
23	17 August 1994	Eyravallen, Örebro, Sweden	Lithuania	1–0	4–2	Friendly
24				2–0
25	16 November 1994	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Hungary	1–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
26	1 June 1995	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Iceland	1–1	1–1	UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
27	16 August 1995	Idrottsparken, Norrköping, Sweden	United States	1–0	1–0	Friendly

Awards and Achievements

Parma

• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1992–93
• UEFA Cup: 1994–95
• UEFA Super Cup: 1993
• Coppa Italia: 1991–92

Leeds United

• Football League Cup runner-up: 1995–96

Sweden National Team

• FIFA World Cup third place: 1994

Individual Awards

• Guldbollen (Sweden's best footballer): 1990, 1994
• UEFA Euro Golden Boot (top scorer): 1992
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1994
• Ballon d'Or fourth place: 1994

See also

In Spanish: Tomas Brolin para niños