Robin Söder

Robin Söder     20     Striker     IFK Gothenburg

Stuart Fuller from theballisround.co.uk:

‘Two years ago I sat in the Swedbank Stadion in Malmo for the UEFA Under 21's semi-final.  The hosts, Sweden, had managed to draw level in a game of high excitement against England after being 3-0 down, thanks to the role played by 18 year old IFK striker Robin Söder.  The striker, the youngest player in the tournament, had been drafted into the squad after some eye catching performances for the Under 17's as well as his club. Along with Marcus Berg, many of the journalists felt that the Swedes could go on to win the tournament.  In extra time he twisted awkwardly, hurting his knee, but putting the cause of his country before his own fitness he carried on only to see the Swedes eventually lose on penalties.

A scan afterwards revealed the true damage of his injury and the young striker found himself out of the game for over a year.  With the Swedish season running from March to November he didn't start on the comeback trail until this season.  So far progress has been slow.  Twenty five games have resulted in just two goals as Robin has had to play second fiddle to Tobias Hysen and Hannes Stiller. 

He is still very young, and his chance will come, but it is only over time that we will see if he still has the turn of pace that set him apart from other youngsters before his knee injury’

“Since making his debut for Blåvitt in 2008, Robin Söder has often been tipped to be the next youngster to leave the Allsvenskan. Although he has struggled for form this year, that can be attributed to his return from a lengthy cruciate ligament injury. He can drop off the front line & link play through his intelligent movement and has shown in the past that when he feels confident he can be a deadly finisher” - Andy Hudson (blagulfotboll.co.uk)

E    A fresh start may represent the best possible option.