Quick Facts
Biography
Per Nilsson (born 15 September 1982) is a Swedish former footballer. He last played as a central defender for the Danish club Copenhagen.
Career
Sweden
Nilsson was born in Härnösand and started his career in Stigsjö IK youth team in 1988, staying with the club until 1991 when he made a move to IFK Timrå, mainly being part of the club's youth team he then made his debut for the club in 1998, this attracted attention from GIF Sundsvall, who signed the player prior to the 1999 season. During his time in GIF Sundsvall he helped the club up to Allsvenskan in 1999. Nilsson's playing in Sundsvall had again attracted attention, this time from Allsvenska AIK, who made a deal with GIF Sundsvall that Per Nilsson would move to the club prior to the 2002 season in 2001, however due to a series of different circumstances, as several key players left AIK, made AIK change the deal so that he could join the club already in the autumn of 2001. Following his debut against IFK Norrköping he quickly established himself as a regular central defender, however a series of manager changes and other events made Per feel that he could not perform at top level.
Europe
Following AIK's poor performance during the 2004 season saw the club relegated from Allsvenskan and Per Nilsson leave the club for Norwegian club Odd Grenland for approximately 3 million Norwegian kroner. Odd Grenland rejected a £1 million offer from English side Sunderland AFC in August 2006. It was widely expected that he would leave for a bigger club, however no bids came until 13 July 2007 when it was announced that Nilsson signed a contract with 2. Bundesliga team 1899 Hoffenheim. On 14 July 2010, Hoffenheim confirmed that they had sold Nilsson to Bundesliga rival 1. FC Nürnberg.
On 23 March 2014, the Danish club FC Copenhagen announced that they had signed Nilsson on a three-year contract. On December 15, 2016, Nilsson officially announced his retirement as a player.
Honours
Club
- Danish Superliga: 2015–16
- Danish Cup: 2014–15, 2015–16
Individual
- Kniksen award: Defender of the Year in 2006
- Verdens Gang Norwegian Premier League Player of the Year: 2006