John Erik Gunnar Friberg (born 10 February 1986) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Beginning his career with Västra Frölunda IF in 2005, he went on to represent Seattle Sounders FC, Malmö FF, Bologna, and Esbjerg fB before retiring at BK Häcken in 2022. He won two caps for the Sweden national team in 2012.
Club career
Early career Friberg began his career with Västra Frölunda IF before moving to BK Häcken in January 2007. He made his UEFA Europa League debut on 2 August 2007 against KR Reykjavíkur. The game ended 0–1 for Häcken.UEFA.com Erik Friberg He played 20 minutes in two games against Spartak Moscow during the first round of the UEFA Cup.
Seattle Sounders FC On 16 December 2010, it was announced that Friberg had signed a deal with Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer.Signing of midfielder Erik Friberg finally made official He made his debut for the Sounders in their opening game of the 2011 MLS season against Los Angeles Galaxy.
Malmö FF On 12 December 2011, Seattle Sounders confirmed that Friberg would move to Malmö FF for the 2012 season. Malmö FF announced the day after that Friberg had signed a contract until the end of the 2014 season. He joined Malmö FF when the transfer window opened on 1 January 2012. Friberg was applauded by media for his play during the 2012 pre-season. Friberg later played 24 out of 30 matches during his first season at the club.
For the club's league title winning 2013 season Friberg played 27 matches and scored 6 goals. He also played all six matches of the club's participation in the qualifying stages for the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League. During the season Friberg earned the nickname Mr. 100% after scoring six goals in six shots on goal during the entire season. His most important goal of the season was when he scored the only goal of the game at home against Mjällby AIF in the 26th round of the league with just a couple of minutes to go of the game.
Bologna On 30 January 2014, Friberg signed with Italian Serie A club Bologna.
Return to Seattle Sounders Friberg returned to Seattle Sounders FC on 29 June 2015.
Return to BK Häcken Friberg return to BK Häcken in 2017, and helped the club win the 2022 Allsvenskan title for the first time in the club's history before retiring at the end of the season.
International career Friberg was selected for the annual training camp for the Sweden national team in January 2012 after Malmö teammates Mathias Ranégie and Ivo Pękalski had to withdraw from the squad. The squad selection for the camp traditionally feature the best Swedish players in domestic and other Scandinavian leagues. He made his debut for Sweden in the friendly against Bahrain on 18 January 2012, replacing Oscar Hiljemark in the 86th minute of a 2–0 win.
Personal life He is the cousin of CS:GO player Adam Friberg.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBK Häcken2007Superettan140—301702008Superettan252——2522009Allsvenskan28330—3132010Allsvenskan27020—290Total94550301025Seattle Sounders FC2011MLS2612040341Malmö FF2012Allsvenskan24000—2402013Allsvenskan2764060376Total5164060616Bologna2013–14Serie A7000—70Esbjerg fB2014–15Danish Superliga13130—161Seattle Sounders2015MLS16100311922016MLS3002020340Total4612051532BK Häcken2017Allsvenskan27150—3212018Allsvenskan26141403422019Allsvenskan24240203022020Allsvenskan28161–3422021Allsvenskan15030–1802022Allsvenskan18010–220Total1385232601707Career total3751937224144222
International Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoalsSweden201220Total20
Honours Malmö FF Allsvenskan: 2013 Svenska Supercupen: 2013
Seattle Sounders FC MLS Cup: 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2011
BK Häcken
Allsvenskan: 2022 Svenska Cupen: 2018–19
References
External links Malmö FF profile