Position: Midfielder
Born: 28.06.68
Club: Panathinaikos

Mikael Nilsson began his career in the Swedish lower leagues before Halmstads gave him the chance to see if he could cut it in the Allsvenskan in 2000.

He acquitted himself well and the right-winger broke into the Sweden squad in time for Euro 2004, scoring twice on his debut against the Czech Republic.

Nilsson played every match in Portugal, putting in some excellent performances and Southampton subsequently took him to England.

A change of manager in his first season did him no favours and he found himself watching Southampton get relegated from the bench.

Panathinaikos then paid 600,000 euros for him in 2005 and he has since played regularly for them in the Champions League.

A skilful, energetic box-to-box player Nilsson is a good passer of the ball and is equally adept at attacking and defending. He lost his place during qualifying to Christian Wilhelmsson, but will be hopeful of some playing time in Germany.