Swedish footballer
Carl Johan Petter Hansson (IPA: [ˈpɛ̌tːɛr ˈhɑ̌ːnsɔn]; born 14 December 1976) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a defender. He most notably represented Halmstads BK, SC Heerenveen, Rennes, and Monaco during a career that spanned between 1994 and 2012. A full international between 2001 and 2009, he won 43 caps for the Sweden national team and represented his country at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European Championships as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
Early career
Hansson started his career at Söderhamns FF and was transferred to Halmstads BK in 1998. He made his Allsvenskan debut on 4 October 1998 against AIK. Petter Hansson became a popular player at Halmstads BK, mainly because his fighting spirit and a strong will to win a match. Hansson played as a defensive midfielder and as a central defender and became a key player for the club. This resulted in a growing popularity among fans and he became the team's captain. While at Halmstads BK he helped them win the fourth championship in their history in 2000.[citation needed]
SC Heerenveen
In 2002, he moved to the Netherlands to play at Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen. At Heerenveen he developed as a more consistent player and became a fan's favourite again. Heerenveen supporters voted him to be SC Heerenveen's best player of the season several times.[citation needed]
Rennes
On 1 May 2007, he signed a contract at Stade Rennais, playing in Ligue 1. On 15 May 2010, Hansson announced that he would be leaving the club when his contract expired at the end of the season.[1]
Monaco
On 4 June 2010, he signed a contract with the Ligue 1 club AS Monaco FC.[2] On 30 May 2012, Hansson officially announced, through his agent Fabrice Picot, his retirement as a player.[3]
International career
Hansson earned his first cap for the Sweden national team in 2001, in a match against Finland.[4] He was part of their squad during Euro 2004[5] and the 2006 World Cup. On 2 June 2007, in the rivalry match against Denmark, he scored his first goal for the national team. During qualification for Euro 2008, he was partnered with Olof Mellberg.[4] On 10 June 2008, at the Euro 2008, he scored his second goal for the national team in the opening match of their campaign, a 2–0 defeat of Greece.[6]
After losing away against Denmark on 10 October 2009, it was obvious that Sweden had failed to qualify 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa the following year. Due to this, Hansson along with several other players decided to end their international careers after the final qualifying match against Albania, which Sweden won 4–1. In October 2010, Hansson made a brief comeback to the national team due to defender Mellberg's suspension in Sweden's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier away against the Netherlands on 12 October.[7] Hansson was an un-used substitute. Sweden was defeated 4–1.
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