Andersson calls time on career

Malmö FF's former Swedish international defender Patrik Andersson has announced his retirement after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Serious injury
The 33-year-old, capped 96 times by Sweden, fell awkwardly and twisted his left knee in the 88th minute of Malmö's 1-0 home defeat by Swiss side FC Thun in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg. He underwent surgery the following day - which would have entailed a seven-month spell on the sidelines - but decided against returning to action.

Health priority
"An ending is never predictable, and it often doesn't happen the way you had imagined," said Andersson, who is to marry this week. "Now my body has said no. I can't do it anymore, which makes the ending more definite, but the decision easier. You have to listen to your body, because you'll have it with you your whole life."

Illustrious career
Andersson began his career in Sweden with Bjärreds IF before joining Malmö in 1988. He spent two seasons at Blackburn Rovers FC from 1992 and then moved to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he enjoyed six seasons and was entrusted with the captain's armband. FC Bayern München came calling in 1999, and he was part of the side that defeated Valencia CF to lift the UEFA Champions League in 2001.

Swedish homecoming
The centre-back joined FC Barcelona the following season but his three-year spell was plagued by injury and he re-joined Malmö ahead of the 2004 campaign. Andersson was also part of the Swedish squad which finished third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals.