Michael Svensson has called time on his career.

It will come as no surprise to Saints supporters but a big disapointment to learn that seven years to the day he arrived at St Mary's he has decided to retire from playing.

Svensson enjoyed the best part of two great seasons in the Saints defence including an appearance at Cardiff in the cup final, before at the tail end of the 03/04 season sustaining the injury that would effectively end his career.

After what many thought was an innocuous injury sustained in the warm up at Fratton Park in March 2004 Svensson didnt play again until the Autumn of 2005, by then Saints were in the Championship, but after a few games he once again went off for a series of ops and rehabilitation, Saints kept his contract running out of loyalty.

When he returned last season initially it was hoped he would make a full come back but after playing the opening four games, he was once again on the injury list, a month later he appeared at Rotherham in a Carling Cup tie, but that would be his final appearance in a Saints shirt.

What the fuure holds for the Swede is now unclear, he was on the coaching staff at the tail end of last season, however that role like that of Mark Wotte will be unclear until the new owners take charge, then Svensson will find out if his future is at St Mary's or away from it, certainly most Saints supporters will hope there is a role in the new set up for the man they called Killer.     

Photo: Action Images

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