Swedish footballer Olsson leaves FC Midtjylland over brain illness

Swedish footballer Kristoffer Olsson, who suffered a serious brain illness, was given an emotional send-off by FC Midtjylland on Sunday after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with the Danish club.

The 29-year-old intends to move closer to his family in his hometown of Norrköping in Sweden.

Over a year ago, Olsson was diagnosed with an extremely rare inflammation of the cerebral blood vessels, which had caused multiple small blood clots in his brain.

In the half-time interval during Sunday 2-0 defeat against Brøndby, Midtjylland fans serenaded Olsson one last time.

The visibly emotional player greeted the crowd and even received a gift basket from supporters.

Olsson says that despite everything he has gone through, he is still looking forward to being a footballer.

"I continue to dream of being a footballer, to be able to train fully and feel that I can contribute to the team," said the 47-time Sweden international, who now plans to work on a potential comeback at his youth club, IFK Norrköping.

"I feel progress every week, and I am hungrier and more motivated than ever."

In February 2024, Olsson collapsed in his home and was rushed to the Aarhus University Hospital and put on a ventilator.

His club, Midtjylland, put out a statement, in which they stated that the illness was related to the brain.

They also added that the condition was not related to self-harm or external factors.

Olsson featured for English Premier League Club Arsenal between 2011 and 2014 before transferring back home to Denmark in 2015.