Svensson heads back to Sweden

Flew home from Paris
The 28-year-old Svensson played the full 90 minutes of his country's 1-1 friendly draw with France in Paris last night before flying back to Sweden to complete the transfer. His contract with Southampton was due to end in the summer and he has chosen to move now rather than wait until then.

Free role promised
Elfsborg will pay a fee in the region of €1.5m for Svensson, who arrived at Southampton in summer 2001. Stefan Andreasson, sporting director at Elfsborg, said of the challenge awaiting the player: "Anders feels that there is a lot of pressure on him but that he's definitely up for it, and that this can inspire him. He wants to do well and he knows that he'll have a free role in the heart of the midfield."

World Cup success
Svensson, who has been in and out of a Southampton side battling against relegation from the Premiership this season, made his Sweden debut in a friendly against South Africa in 1999 and has won 56 caps to date. He shone in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring a spectacular free-kick winner against Argentina.