Marcus Nilsson (footballer)
Marcus Åke Jens-Erik Nilsson is a Swedish football manager and former player who played as a centre-back.
Club career
Helsingborgs
Born in Rydebäck, Sweden, Nilsson played for his hometown club, Rydebäcks IF, before joining Helsingborgs in 2003 at thirteen. After progressing through the ranks at Helsingborgs, Nilsson was called up to the first team and was involved in the first team pre-season matches. It wasn't until on 1 May 2007 when Nilsson was given a first team chance by then Manager Stuart Baxter, where he made his first start and played 70 minutes despite losing 1–0 against Elfsborg. With two appearance in the 2007 season, Nilsson signed a contract with the club in September 2007.The 2008 season saw Nilsson struggling to make a breakthrough in the first team, with the likes of Joel Ekstrand, Andreas Granqvist and Samir Beloufa established himself in the central defense position. Following the departure of Granqvist and the arrival of Hannu Patronen, Nilsson then made his first appearance of the season on 7 July 2008, where he made his first start in a year, in a 1–1 draw against Göteborg. From July to October, Nilsson had a handful of first team appearances and formed a central defense partnership with youngsters, Ekstrand. Despite a good performance against Kalmar FF on 24 September 2008, Nilsson, however, was demoted to the substitute bench for the rest of the season.
In 2009 season, Nilsson established himself in the first team, along with Ekstrand, in the defense and made a good start in the opening game of the season when he helped the club win against Göteborg 1–0, as well as, clean sheet. This was followed up by two wins against GAIS and Hammarby. His performance resulted him and Ekstrand signing a contract extension, keeping him until 2012. Nilsson was an ever starting player in the first team this season until he was absent on two occasions in July. Despite this, Nilsson returned to the first team and continued to be a first team regular until he suffered an injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, Nilson finished the season, making twenty-eight appearances in all competitions.
In the 2010 season, Nilsson continued to be in the first team and started the season when he kept three clean sheets to the first three matches against IF Brommapojkarna, Djurgården and Göteborg, which he scored his first goal for the club. It wasn't until on 20 April 2010 when he scored again, with a 2–1 win over Malmö. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, Nilsson was suspended on two occasions: one, he received a red card after a second bookable, in a 3–1 win over Gefle on 10 May 2010 and another was on 26 July 2010 when he was suspended for picking up five yellow cards this season. Despite this, Nilsson remained in the first team throughout the season at the club and made thirty-three appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
In the 2011 season, Nilsson started the season well when he scored the opener in a 2–1 win over Malmö to win the Svenska Supercupen. Nilsson once again became a first team regular and started the season with a good start, with four straight wins, including three clean sheets against Mjällby, Elfsborg and Syrianska. After being suspended for two matches for picking up three yellow cards this season., Nilsson scored on his return from suspension in the last-16 of the Swedish Cup, in a 2–1 win over Trelleborgs FF. His performance attracted interests from clubs around Europe, including Danish side Copenhagen, who were interested in signing him and at one point, involved Peter Larsson as part of the exchange. Amid to the transfer speculation, Helsingborgs' supporters reacted positive towards Nilsson's transfer and welcomed his return in the near future when he played against Djurgårdens on 11 July 2011. His last appearance for the club in a wake of his transfer move came on 18 July 2011 against Kalmar, in a 2–1 win, which Nilsson was in tears as a result.
Utrecht
Eventually, Nilsson opted to move abroad when he signed for Utrecht, signing a four-year contract on 12 July 2011. The transfer fee was reportedly between 10 and 15 million Krone.Nilsson made his Utrecht debut in the opening game of the season, where he made his first start and played a whole game, in a 0–0 draw against VVV-Venlo, keeping a clean sheet. However, in a 2–1 loss against Vitesse on 20 August 2011, Nilsson received a straight red card in the 86th minutes. As a result, Nilsson served a two match suspension. Despite making a return against Heracles Almelo on 18 September 2011, Nilsson was sent-off for the second time this season on 15 October 2011, in a 1–0 loss against PSV Eindhoven. In a match against Feyenoord on 11 December 2011, Nilsson suffered a knee injury during the match and was substituted early in the match. It wasn't until February when he had a surgery and it was successful, but was out of action for the rest of the season. Despite making sixteen appearances in all competitions, Nilsson, however, was named as the league's worst signing of the season by Voetbal International.
The 2012–13 season saw Nilsson recovered from a knee injury in the pre-season and made his first appearance of the season on 18 August 2012, making his first start and played 90 minutes, in a 3–1 win over VVV-Venlo. Nilsson made two more appearance this season before being demoted to the substitute bench, played in the reserve and his own injury concerns that kept him out throughout the season. The whole 2013 saw Nilsson continued to rehabilitate his back injury.
Kalmar FF
On 31 January 2014, Nilsson returned to Sweden where he joined Kalmar on loan until 31 July 2014. The move was later confirmed the next day. Nilsson acknowledged his move to Kalmar, where he cited first team opportunities as a factor to the move.Nilsson made his Kalmar FF debut, in the opening game of the season, where he made his first start and played the whole game, in a 2–1 win over Brommapojkarna. This was followed up in the next match against Åtvidabergs when he set up one of the goals, in a 2–2 draw. In the summer transfer window, Nilsson joined the club on a permanent basis, where he signed a contract until the end of the season. Nilsson then scored his first goal for the club, as well as, setting up one of the goal, in a 2–0 win over Mjällby on 27 October 2014. Nilsson finished his first season at the club, making twenty-six appearance and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2015 season, Nilsson signed a contract extension with the club, ending the transfer rumours that he could leave the club. Nilsson then established himself in the first team at Kalmar as a centre-back position. In a match against his former club Helsingborgs IF on 31 July 2015, Nilsson was involved in an incident with the opposition's supporters, resulting an apology from the player. Despite suffering setbacks of suspension and injuries, Nilsson finished the season, making twenty-three appearances in all competitions.
At the end of the season, Nilsson was linked with a move away from Kalmar. Nilsson later revealed to the club's management that he would be leaving the club, just before Christmas.
Fleetwood Town
On 3 February 2016, Nilsson signed for Fleetwood Town on a deal until the end of the 2015–16 season.Nilsson made his Fleetwood Town debut four days later after signing for the club on 7 February 2016, where he came on as a substitute in the second half, in a 0–0 draw against Shrewsbury Town. Since making his debut, Nilsson became a first team regular at the club, making a handful of first team appearances. On 5 March 2016, Nilsson scored his first Fleetwood Town goal, in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield United. Although he lost his first team place later in the season, due to fallen out of favour under the management of Steven Pressley.
At the end of the season, the club opted to take up their option of a contract extension, keeping Nilsson under contract until summer 2017. However, less than a month later, Nilsson was expected to leave the club, with Scandinavian clubs keen on signing him.
Stabæk
On 20 July 2016, Nilsson joined Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabæk. The move was reported to be an undisclosed fee by the club's website.Nilsson then made his Stabæk debut on 24 July 2016, where he made his first start and played the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against Tromsø. Since making his debut, Nilsson established himself in the first team at Stabæk throughout the whole season. Despite missing out one game, due to injury, Nilsson went on to make thirteen appearance for the club. The club narrowly escaped relegation.
At the end of the season, Nilsson left the club on 1 January 2017.
Pohang Steelers
Only weeks after leaving Stabæk, Nilsson joined K League Classic side Pohang Steelers on 25 January 2017, with the contract length were not disclosed.On 2 June 2017, Nilsson's contract was officially terminated by mutual consent.
International career
After featuring for the Sweden U17 and Sweden U19, Nilsson was called up by Sweden U21 in March 2009. Nilsson made his Sweden U21 debut on 31 March 2009, in a 2–1 win over Belgium U21, having previously been on the bench in the previous game. Then, Nilsson scored his first goal on 12 August 2009, he scored his first goal for Sweden U21, in a 4–2 win over Denmark U21.In December 2010, Nilsson was called up by Sweden for the first time. The following month, on 22 January 2011, Nilsson made his debut for the national side, coming in a 1–1 draw with South Africa.