The Swedish defender talks cult hero status at Leeds United, promotion with Brentford and his Malmo homecoming
What motivated you to return to Malmo last summer?
A lot of things. Mainly to come home to where everything started. I always wanted to come back in good shape and at a good age, but also to leave England on a high. That was the most important thing. When I left Malmo ten years ago, I said quite early on that when I come home, I want to be able to perform at a good level. I learned my passion for football through this club. When I was young, I was in the stands with my brothers, my father and my mum. The club’s taking huge steps to compete with teams in Europe, but the heart of the people still working here is the same.
You’d achieved so much with Brentford. Was it tough to leave that behind?
Yeah, it was a big decision to take. It came a little bit from nowhere when I told them. Brentford knew that one day I wanted to go home to Malmo, but they were not really prepared for it. I had four fantastic years there and we’d just finished ninth in the Premier League, so it was good timing. I could leave them in good hands. I left something fantastic, but I was also going home to something fantastic.
Last season ended in dramatic circumstances, with Malmo beating Elfsborg 1-0 to pip them to the title on goal difference. What emotions did you go through during that game?
It was fantastic to play in what was like a final on the last day – at home in front of a full house, against the team you’re competing with – knowing that if you win the game, you’re going to win the title. That doesn’t happen often, so it was special. To win and to lift the trophy, it was one of the best days in my football career. It was a big decision to come home to Malmo, and there were big expectations because I was coming from the Premier League, so it was a big relief to finally be champions. Looking at the bigger picture, it gave me the tools to work in a better way in the coming years, instead of being stressed on the final day.
After starting out as a striker, how did you become a centre-back?
I almost forget that I played as a striker! It was one of my coaches here in my previous time at Malmo [Roland Nilsson]. When you’re young, sometimes you have to fill in different positions. I played centre-back in one internal game. I did well and they asked me if I could keep doing it. I started to play some B team games as a centre-back, then we had some injuries in the first team so suddenly I was thrown in there and did well. After that, no one asked me if I wanted to go back to being a striker and I’m still here today, so I think that was the best decision.
You joined Torino in 2014 but only made 25 appearances in two years there. How do you reflect on that period?
When I left Ma
