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Ola Toivonen
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Ola Toivonen
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Nils Ola Toivonen (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈûːla ˈtɔ̌ɪvʊnɛn]; (Värmländsk pronunciation: [Ola Tôjvônen]); born 3 July 1986) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder and forward.

Key Information

After beginning his career in his home town team of Degerfors, he spent time in the top flight for Örgryte before he got signed by Malmö FF before the 2007 season. Having spent two seasons with Malmö, breaking through with 14 league goals in 2008, he joined Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven in January 2009. Toivonen remained there for five and a half seasons, winning the KNVB Cup in 2012, until a €2.5 million move to Rennes. After a successful spell with Rennes in Ligue 1, Toivonen had a stint with Sunderland in the Premier League before returning to France in 2016 to suit up for Toulouse. He played in Australia for Melbourne Victory between 2018 and 2020, and then returned to Malmö FF before officially retiring from professional football in 2022.

A full international for Sweden between 2007 and 2018, he earned 64 caps and scored 14 goals for his nation, and was part of their squads for UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in which Sweden reached the Quarter-Finals .

Club career

[edit]

Early career

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His father Yrjö was born in Finland and emigrated to Degerfors to work in a factory.[3] Toivonen started his career at Degerfors IF,[4] where he became involved in their campaign in 2005 to avoid relegation from Superettan.

He was then bought by Örgryte, and their manager Zoran Lukić. The first, and only, season in Örgryte ended sadly. Lukić was sacked, and Örgryte finished last in Allsvenskan, and thus was relegated to Superettan. In November 2006, he won the "Newcomer of the Year" award at the annual Swedish football awards.[5]

Malmö FF

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He soon signed a four-year contract with Malmö FF,[6] in a transfer worth more than $1.1 million.[citation needed] He became Malmö's second most expensive player of all time (only Brazilian international Afonso Alves cost Malmö more money, when the club bought him for approximately $1.3 million in 2004, also from Örgryte).[7][8] In the 2007 season, Toivonen's first at Malmö, the club finished 9th in Allsvenskan and Toivonen scored three goals. The 2008 season went somewhat better for Malmö, finishing 6th, and this was the absolute breakthrough for Toivonen.[9] In 27 games, he managed to score 14 goals as well as seven assists.[4] This drew the attention of some Premier League and Eredivisie clubs, most notably West Ham United and PSV Eindhoven.[10][11]

PSV Eindhoven

[edit]
Toivonen playing for PSV in 2010

Toivonen signed a contract with PSV Eindhoven in early 2009.[12] The transfer fee was, according to some source, €3.5 million, and according to other sources €4.5 million.[9] He received a red card in a February 2009 match against FC Volendam, which sidelined him for two matches. His first half season in the Netherlands, saw Toivonen score 6 goals in 14 appearances for his new club.[13][14]

On 8 November 2009, Toivonen scored four out of five goals against ADO Den Haag in a 5–1 win, scoring a hat trick in the first 42 minutes of the game. His first full season in the Eredivise proved very successful, adapting quickly, scoring 13 goals.[13]

2010–11 season

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The first game of the new season kicked off on 7 August 2010 and saw PSV head to the Abe Lenstra Stadion to face Heerenveen.[15] Toivonen struck two second half goals, before Orlando Engelaar added a third, helping to secure a comfortable 3–1 victory.[16] 14 August 2010 saw Toivonen net his second hat trick for PSV, scoring three goals[17] in a 6–0 win over De Graafschap.[18] He added the third goal in a 3–1 win against NEC Nijmegen on 11 September that helped his side climb to first in the Eredivisie rankings.[19] 24 October saw his side record a memorable 10–0 win over rivals Feyenoord at the Philips Stadion.[20] Toivonen scored the first of six goals in the second half.[21] On 4 December Toivonen added two goals to his account in a 5–2 win over Heracles Almelo.[22]

In PSV's second game back following the winter break, Toivonen netted the equalizing goal in a 2–1 win against Willem II.[23] A month later on 20 February 2011, Toivonen scored the third goal, in a 4–1 home win against NAC Breda that saw PSV move two points clear at the top of the Eredivisie.[24] A crucial game against SC Heerenveen on 10 April saw Toivonen return to the squad. He started on the bench, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute for Zakaria Labyad.[25] Toivonen scored PSV's second goal, deep into stoppage time, securing a 2–2 draw.[26] On 24 April, PSV travelled to Rotterdam to play Feyenoord at De Kuip. After embarrassingly losing 10–0 in the first meeting of the season, Feyenoord responded by winning 3–1, Toivonen scored the only goal for the Boerens,[27] ending PSV's title hopes.[28] The 2010–11 campaign saw Toivonen score 15 Eredivisie goals and 3 Europa League goals for PSV, making him the club's second leading goalscorer of the season behind Balázs Dzsudzsák.[29]

2011–12 season

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With strike partner Balázs Dzsudzsák leaving PSV to join Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala,[30] Toivonen was required to fill in and contribute with more goals for the new season. Toivonen scored his first goal of the season in PSV's 3–0 win over ADO Den Haag on 21 August.[31] He followed this effort up with another goal in his side's 5–0 thrashing of Austrian Bundesliga outfit SV Ried in the qualifying stages of the Europa League.[32] PSV and Toivonen continued their rich goal-scoring form, as they hammered Excelsior 6–1 on 28 August with Toivonen netting a brace.[33]

2012–13 season

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Due to injuries, Toivonen only made 17 appearances in which he scored eight times. At the end of the season, PSV wanted to sell Toivonen as he had refused to extend his contract which would expire in the summer of 2014. Norwich City showed interest in the player, but preferred countryman Johan Elmander after Toivonen had been dawdling too long in the opinion of the club.[34]

2013–14 season

[edit]

Although both PSV and Toivonen were dissatisfied after a transfer had failed, Toivonen made 14 appearances in which he scored once. In the winter break PSV announced that Toivonen would not play a single match for PSV in the second half of the season. Both the player and the club wanted to disband.

Rennes

[edit]
Toivonen with Rennes in 2014

On 20 January 2014, it was announced that Toivonen had been sold to Rennes for a transfer fee of €2.5 million.[35]

Loan to Sunderland

[edit]

On 28 August 2015, Toivonen joined Premier League side Sunderland on a season-long loan, linking up with his former manager at PSV Dick Advocaat.[36] The following day, he made his debut as a half-time substitute for Lee Cattermole in at Aston Villa, and assisted former PSV teammate Jeremain Lens's equaliser in a 2–2 draw.[37] Toivonen scored his first goal on 22 September 2015, in a 4–1 League Cup third round defeat at home to Manchester City.[38]

Toulouse

[edit]

On 4 August 2016, Toivonen signed for French club Toulouse FC.[39]

Melbourne Victory

[edit]

On 31 August 2018, it was announced he had signed with A-League club Melbourne Victory FC.[40]

In his first season at the club, Toivonen made 26 appearances across all competitions with a return of 17 goals, 15 of which were netted in the A-League. This led to Toivonen being awarded the TAC Victoria Golden Boot at the 2019 Victory Medal awards night.[41] He was also the only Melbourne Victory player to be named to the A-League Team of the Season.[42]

On 30 September 2019, in advance of the 2019–20 campaign, Toivonen was named the Victory's new club captain replacing Carl Valeri who held the position between 2015 and 2019.[41] In May 2020, Toivonen was reported as having rejected a contract extension to return to former club Malmö FF on a free transfer.[43]

Return to Malmö FF

[edit]

Toivonen was officially announced as a Malmö FF player on a 2.5 year-contract on 8 June.[44] On 8 November 2020, Toivonen scored the third goal in a 4–0 win against IK Sirius to help Malmö FF become Swedish Champions for the 21st time, and winning Toivonen his first-ever league title.[45][46] In 2021, Toivonen played eight matches before suffering a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.[47] The team went on to win the league, securing Toivonen his second league title with Malmö FF. Toivonen made his return more than ten months after sustaining his injury, in the 2022 opener against Kalmar FF.[48]

He retired from professional football after the 2022 Allsvenskan season.[49]

International career

[edit]
Toivonen playing for Sweden at UEFA Euro 2012.

On 21 August 2007, he scored a hat trick (including two penalties) for Sweden U21 against Wales U21 in a 4–3 friendly defeat.[50] He was a member of the U-21 national team at the 2009 European Championship in Sweden and scored three times in the competition against Italy U21,[51] Serbia U21,[52] and a superb freekick against England U21 which contributed to a comeback from 3–0 down to 3–3 with Toivonen scoring the second goal.[53]

Toivonen's full international debut came on 14 January 2007, when Sweden lost 2–0 away to Venezuela.[54]

Leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Sweden played Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly on 29 May. Toivonen was included in the starting lineup, as Sweden were without striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.[55] Toivonen scored the opening goal in the 44th minute, giving Sweden a lead at half time. This goal was Toivonen's first at international level. Blackburn Rovers defender Martin Olsson scored a brace in the second half, leading Sweden to a 4–2 win.[56] On 11 August 2010, Toivonen started for the national side in a friendly against Scotland at the Råsunda Stadium in Stockholm.[57] Toivonen grabbed Sweden's third goal in the 55th minute, his second international goal, helping to seal a 3–0 win for the home side.[58]

In May 2018, he was named in Sweden's 23 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[59] He scored the first goal of the match in a 2–1 defeat to Germany on 23 June 2018.[60] In August 2018, Toivonen announced his retirement from international football.[40]

Personal life

[edit]

Toivonen is married to Emma and has two children, Selma and Nils.[61]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[62]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Degerfors IF 2003 Division 2 Västra Svealand — —
2004 Division 2 Västra Svealand — —
2005 Superettan 27 5 — — 27 5
Total 41 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 41 8
Örgryte IS 2006 Allsvenskan 25 6 — — 25 6
Malmö FF 2007 Allsvenskan 24 3 0 0 — 24 3
2008 Allsvenskan 27 14 0 0 — 27 14
Total 51 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 17
PSV 2008–09 Eredivisie 14 6 0 0 — — 14 6
2009–10 Eredivisie 33 13 3 0 12 1 — 48 14
2010–11 Eredivisie 28 15 2 1 12 4 — 42 20
2011–12 Eredivisie 33 18 4 2 12 6 — 49 26
2012–13 Eredivisie 17 8 1 0 3 1 1 2 22 11
2013–14 Eredivisie 14 1 2 0 6 1 — 22 2
Total 139 61 12 3 46 13 1 2 198 79
Rennes 2013–14 Ligue 1 15 7 3 1 — — 18 8
2014–15 Ligue 1 30 7 3 0 — 2 0 35 7
2015–16 Ligue 1 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 46 14 6 1 0 0 2 0 54 15
Sunderland (loan) 2015–16 Premier League 12 0 1 0 — 1 1 14 1
Toulouse 2016–17 Ligue 1 35 7 1 0 — 2 0 38 7
2017–18 Ligue 1 23 0 0 0 — 5 2 28 2
Total 58 7 1 0 0 0 7 2 66 9
Melbourne Victory 2018–19 A-League 22 15 0 0 4 2 0 0 26 17
2019–20 A-League 14 9 1 0 3 2 0 0 18 11
Total 36 24 1 0 7 4 0 0 44 28
Malmö FF 2020 Allsvenskan 21 8 2 1 2 1 — 25 10
2021 Allsvenskan 8 0 3 1 0 0 — 11 1
2022 Allsvenskan 25 6 1 0 0 0 — 26 6
Total 54 14 6 2 2 1 0 0 62 17
Career total 462 151 27 6 55 18 11 5 555 180

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[63]
National team Year Apps Goals
Sweden 2007 2 0
2008 0 0
2009 2 0
2010 8 2
2011 9 2
2012 8 2
2013 6 0
2014 5 2
2015 5 1
2016 3 1
2017 7 2
2018 9 2
Total 64 14
Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Toivonen goal[citation needed]
List of international goals scored by Ola Toivonen
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 May 2010 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 4–2 Friendly
2 11 August 2010 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Scotland 3–0 3–0 Friendly
3 3 June 2011 Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău, Moldavia  Moldova 1–0 4–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
4 11 October 2011 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Netherlands 3–2 3–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
5 30 May 2012 Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden  Iceland 2–0 3–2 Friendly
6 5 June 2012 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden  Serbia 1–0 2–1 Friendly
7 5 March 2014 Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium, Ankara, Turkey  Turkey 1–1 1–2 Friendly
8 9 October 2014 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Russia 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
9 31 March 2015 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Iran 3–1 3–1 Friendly
10 10 October 2016 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Bulgaria 1–0 3–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 9 June 2017 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  France 2–1 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 7 October 2017 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Luxembourg 8–0 8–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 24 March 2018 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Chile 1–1 1–2 Friendly
14 23 June 2018 Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia  Germany 1–0 1–2 2018 FIFA World Cup

Honours

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PSV

Malmö FF

Sweden U21

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ola Toivonen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nils Ola Toivonen (born 3 July 1986) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played primarily as a centre-forward, earning recognition for his contributions to clubs in Sweden, the Netherlands, England, France, Australia, and internationally for Sweden. Over a career spanning from 2003 to 2022, he amassed 510 club appearances, scoring 174 goals, and represented Sweden in major tournaments including UEFA Euro 2012, UEFA Euro 2016, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a notable long-range goal against Mexico in the group stage. Toivonen retired from professional football in November 2022 after helping Malmö FF win the 2021 Allsvenskan title and the 2022 Svenska Cupen. Toivonen began his professional career with Degerfors IF in Sweden's second tier before breaking through at Malmö FF, where he scored 14 goals in the 2008 Allsvenskan season, earning a move to PSV Eindhoven in January 2009 for an undisclosed fee. At PSV, he won the 2011–12 KNVB Cup and the 2012 Johan Cruyff Shield, making 139 Eredivisie appearances and scoring 61 goals during his five-year stint. Subsequent moves took him to Rennes in Ligue 1 (2014–2016, including a loan to Sunderland in the English Premier League during 2015–2016), Toulouse in Ligue 1 (2016–2018), and Melbourne Victory in the A-League (2018–2020), where he netted 28 goals in 49 matches. On the international stage, Toivonen debuted for in 2007 and accumulated 64 caps with 14 goals by his retirement from national duty following the 2018 World Cup, where reached the quarter-finals. He returned to in 2020, captaining the side to domestic success before transitioning to a role as assistant at the club in 2023. Standing at 1.89 meters tall, Toivonen was known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and powerful shooting, contributing to his versatility across forward roles. He holds dual Swedish and Finnish citizenship.

Club career

Early career

Ola Toivonen was born on 3 July 1986 in , . He developed his early football skills in the youth academy of hometown club , where his father, originally from , had settled for work in local industry. Toivonen made his senior debut for in 2003 at age 17, contributing to the team's efforts in Sweden's , the second tier. Over the period from 2003 to 2005, he appeared in 27 matches and scored 5 goals for the club, showcasing his potential as a promising young talent in lower-division football. In January 2006, Toivonen transferred to Allsvenskan side Örgryte IS for a reported fee of €150,000, marking his entry into Sweden's top flight. During the 2006 season, he played 25 matches and netted 6 goals, helping to highlight his scoring ability despite the team's relegation struggle. His performances earned him the Swedish Newcomer of the Year award in November 2006, drawing interest from larger clubs due to his physical presence at 1.89 meters tall and versatility as a forward or attacking midfielder. These achievements paved the way for his move to Malmö FF ahead of the 2007 season.

Malmö FF (first spell)

Toivonen signed with in December 2006, securing a four-year contract from for a reported fee of €1 million. In his debut season of 2007, Toivonen adapted to top-tier Swedish football, making 24 appearances in the and scoring 3 goals as the team finished 9th in the league standings. He showed significant improvement in 2008, featuring in 27 Allsvenskan matches and netting 14 goals, which helped Malmö FF secure a strong 4th-place finish and qualify for European competition. Over his first spell from 2007 to early 2009, Toivonen amassed 51 league appearances and 17 goals, evolving from a promising talent into a reliable starting forward for the club. His breakthrough form culminated in a transfer to in January 2009, a move that highlighted his emerging potential on the European stage.

PSV Eindhoven

Toivonen joined from in January 2009 for a transfer fee of €4.5 million, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract until the summer of 2012. The move represented a significant step up to the , where he initially adapted to the higher pace and physical demands of Dutch football while competing for attacking positions alongside established forwards like Danny Koevermans and . In his debut half-season (2008–09), Toivonen made 14 league appearances and scored 6 goals, showing early promise as a versatile forward capable of playing as a striker or second striker. The 2009–10 season marked Toivonen's first full campaign at PSV, during which he featured in approximately 30 matches, netting 13 goals, along with contributions in the (1 goal in 3 appearances) and (1 goal in 5 appearances), helping the team secure the title. His integration continued to evolve amid competition for spots, but he established himself as a key squad player. In November 2011, Toivonen extended his contract by two years until 2014, reflecting his growing importance to the club. Toivonen's breakthrough came in the 2010–11 season, where he exploded offensively with 15 goals in 31 appearances, plus 1 goal in the and 2 in Europa League play, finishing as PSV's second-top scorer overall. This form highlighted his technical skill, aerial presence at 1.89 meters, and ability to link play, though PSV fell short in the title race. The following 2011–12 campaign saw sustained output with 9 league goals in 29 matches; he played a pivotal role in the triumph, scoring the opening goal—a memorable backheel—in the 3–0 final win over , securing PSV's ninth domestic cup title. Toivonen was instrumental in the team's title challenge, contributing to a second-place finish despite intense competition from Ajax. In July 2012, Toivonen joined side Celtic on a season-long loan, making 12 appearances without scoring before returning to PSV in 2013. The 2012–13 season brought challenges, including a severe hamstring injury in October 2012 that sidelined him for six months, limiting him to 17 appearances and 8 goals across competitions upon recovery. Injuries and squad depth tested his resilience, but his goal-scoring efficiency remained high. Toivonen's form continued in 2013–14, with 9 Eredivisie goals in 25 matches, forming a potent partnership with players like and driving PSV to another strong league campaign, though they finished third; he also contributed to winning the 2013 . This season underscored his peak form before contractual uncertainties arose. Over his five-and-a-half-year stint at PSV, Toivonen made 156 appearances across all competitions, scoring 49 goals, while grappling with periodic injuries and fierce internal competition that occasionally limited his starts. His contributions helped secure one title (2009–10) and one (2011–12), cementing his legacy as a reliable scorer in European competition. Seeking greater consistency in playing time, Toivonen departed for in January 2014 for €2.5 million.

Rennes

In January 2014, Ola Toivonen transferred from to for a fee of €2.5 million, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract until June 2017. Toivonen quickly adapted to French football during the latter half of the season, making 15 appearances and scoring 7 goals as a versatile forward capable of playing as a centre-forward or attacking , contributing to Rennes' mid-table finish in 12th place. In the full 2014–15 campaign, he maintained consistency with 30 Ligue 1 appearances and 7 goals, often deployed in a supporting attacking role amid Rennes' transitional phase under manager Philippe Montanier, as the team ended the season in 9th position. Toivonen's involvement diminished in the 2015–16 season, limited to 1 Ligue 1 appearance and no goals before his mid-season loan to Sunderland in search of regular playing time, with Rennes finishing 8th overall that year. Across his primary tenure at Rennes from 2014 to 2016, Toivonen recorded 46 appearances and 14 goals, establishing himself as a key versatile attacker despite the club's inconsistent results.

Loan to Sunderland

In August 2015, following a period of limited starts at during the early part of the season, Ola Toivonen joined on a season-long to gain exposure in the and reunite with his former manager, . The move came as sought attacking reinforcements amid a poor start to their campaign, sitting bottom of the table after five winless games. Toivonen made his debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa on 29 August 2015, providing an assist in the process. Over the course of the season, he featured in 12 Premier League matches for the Black Cats, starting nine and accumulating 659 minutes, during which he recorded two assists but no goals. His involvement was most prominent in the opening months under Advocaat, but it diminished after the Dutchman's departure in October 2015, with new manager Sam Allardyce favoring other options in midfield and attack. Toivonen also appeared in cup competitions, scoring Sunderland's consolation goal in a 4–1 League Cup third-round defeat to Manchester City on 22 September 2015, and playing in an FA Cup loss to Arsenal. As Sunderland battled relegation, finishing 17th and securing survival on the final day with a 3–0 win at Everton, Toivonen's contributions were marginal due to the loan's timing and the team's managerial instability, which limited his integration into the squad. In January 2016, confirmed they would not recall him mid-season, ensuring he remained at the until the campaign's end. Upon the loan's conclusion in May 2016, Toivonen returned to without any option for a permanent transfer to , who did not pursue further negotiations.

Toulouse

Toivonen joined on 4 August 2016, signing a three-year contract after transferring from . In the season, he made 35 appearances and scored 7 goals, contributing to Toulouse's 13th-place finish in the league. During the 2017–18 campaign, Toivonen featured in 23 matches without finding the net, as ended the season in 18th position, securing survival on the final day. Over his two seasons with the club, Toivonen recorded 58 appearances and 7 goals in , establishing himself as a reliable squad member whose prior experience in top provided leadership and stability amid the team's mid-to-lower table struggles. Toivonen left Toulouse in August 2018 to join Victory in search of a fresh challenge.

Melbourne Victory

In July 2018, Toivonen transferred from to Victory on a two-year contract, becoming the club's marquee signing ahead of the 2018–19 A-League season. During the 2018–19 campaign, Toivonen featured in 22 A-League matches, scoring 15 goals and sharing the league's Golden Boot award with teammate . Across all competitions, including the FFA Cup and AFC Champions League, he made 26 appearances and netted 17 goals, establishing himself as a prolific forward and earning selection to the A-League Team of the Season. In October 2019, Toivonen was appointed Melbourne Victory's captain for the 2019–20 season, becoming the first international player to lead the club. He appeared in 18 league matches that year, scoring 10 goals, while contributing 12 goals overall amid a challenging season marked by coaching changes and poor team form. Over his two seasons with Melbourne Victory, Toivonen made 40 appearances and scored 25 goals, playing a pivotal leadership role in the club's efforts to contend for titles despite the 2019–20 season's suspension and resumption due to the . In June 2020, he departed the club to return to in a move.

Malmö FF (second spell)

In June 2020, Ola Toivonen rejoined Malmö FF on a contract until the end of 2022, marking his return to the club after over a decade abroad. The move came as a free transfer from Melbourne Victory, allowing the 33-year-old forward to contribute his experience to the squad during the delayed start of the 2020 Allsvenskan season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2020 season, Toivonen made 21 appearances in the , scoring 8 goals and providing 7 assists, while also featuring in cup and European qualifiers. His impact was particularly notable in the title race, where he scored the third goal in a 4–0 victory over IK Sirius on November 8, clinching Malmö FF's 21st championship. This success marked the club's second consecutive league title following their 2019 win, with Toivonen's versatility in attack helping stabilize the forward line amid a condensed schedule. The 2021 campaign saw Toivonen's involvement reduced to 8 appearances with no goals, largely due to a serious injury that sidelined him for much of the year. Despite his limited play, defended their title successfully, securing a record-extending 22nd crown and demonstrating the squad's depth. Toivonen's recovery process highlighted his resilience, though it curtailed his on-field contributions during this period. In 2022, Toivonen returned to more regular action, featuring in 25 matches and scoring 6 goals with 1 assist, often providing leadership as a veteran presence. On October 19, he announced his retirement from professional football at the season's end, citing a lack of , physical decline, and the aftermath of his prior injury as key factors. His farewell came after FF's final home game against on November 6, where he was honored alongside his family in an emotional ceremony attended by fans, underscoring his status as a club legend with over 140 total appearances for across both spells. Over his second spell from 2020 to 2022, Toivonen amassed 54 appearances and 14 goals, contributing to two league titles and leaving a legacy of experience and key moments in FF's continued dominance.

International career

Youth career

Ola Toivonen began his international journey with the Swedish youth national teams in 2003, debuting for the Sweden U17 side on 15 July 2003 during a match that marked his entry into competitive youth football. He accumulated 2 caps at this level without scoring, gaining early exposure to structured international play that honed his technical skills as a forward. Progressing to the Sweden U19 team, Toivonen featured prominently between 2004 and 2005, earning 11 caps and netting 6 goals. These appearances, often in qualification matches for youth tournaments, allowed him to develop his positioning and finishing, paralleling his emergence at club level with and eventual move to . Toivonen's most significant youth international phase came with the Sweden U21 team from 2006 to 2009, where he secured 28 caps and scored 13 goals, establishing himself as a prolific attacker and joint-top scorer in the team's history alongside . As a key figure, he contributed to 's strong showing at the , scoring a memorable curling free-kick in the semi-final against on 26 June 2009, which helped force extra time despite a 3-3 draw that ended in a loss. advanced to the final as runners-up but fell to on penalties, with Toivonen's performances underscoring his growing maturity and vision on the pitch. Throughout his youth career, Toivonen's international development mirrored his club progression, building physicality and tactical awareness that facilitated a seamless transition to the senior national team in 2007.

Senior career

Toivonen made his senior international debut for on 14 January 2007 in a friendly match against , which ended in a 2–0 defeat. He was 20 years old at the time and came on as a substitute. Over his international career spanning 2007 to 2018, Toivonen earned 64 caps and scored 14 goals for the Swedish national team. His contributions included appearances in qualifiers for multiple major tournaments, as well as friendly matches that helped maintain Sweden's competitive edge in European football. At in and , Toivonen featured in all three of Sweden's group stage matches, playing a total of 140 minutes but without scoring. Sweden exited in the group stage after losses to , , and . Toivonen's most notable international tournament came at the in , where he made five appearances across the group stage and knockout rounds. He scored in a 2–1 group stage loss to on 23 June 2018, volleying home a cross from in the 32nd minute to briefly give his side the lead. advanced from Group F with a draw against and a victory over , before defeating on penalties in the round of 16; they were eliminated 2–0 by in the quarter-finals. Throughout his senior career, Toivonen's selections were often influenced by his consistent club form, particularly during spells at and . He participated in qualifiers and other qualifying campaigns, contributing goals in key fixtures such as a 3–2 over the in 2011 that secured qualification for Euro 2012. Following Sweden's quarter-final run, Toivonen announced his retirement from international duty in August 2018 at age 32, citing a desire to focus on club commitments and family.

Personal life and retirement

Family and personal details

Toivonen was born on 3 July 1986 in , a small industrial town in central , where he grew up in a close-knit family environment that provided unwavering support for his early development and throughout his professional journey. His father, Yrjö, emigrated from to for factory work, instilling in the family a blend of Swedish upbringing and Finnish heritage that Toivonen has often reflected upon with pride. He met his future wife, Emma Herbring—a former professional footballer who played for clubs including LdB FC —while they were teenagers in high school in in 2002, and the couple married later in life. Together, they have two children: a daughter named Selma and a son named Nils. Outside of football, Toivonen has prioritized family time as a core interest, often citing the importance of being close to his loved ones, which influenced major relocation decisions such as his return to in 2020. He also maintains a strong connection to his Swedish heritage, blended with appreciation for his Finnish paternal roots, through and occasional reflections in interviews.

Retirement

Ola Toivonen announced his retirement from professional football on 19 October 2022, following the conclusion of the season with . His final match was a 2–2 home draw against on 6 November 2022, marking the end of his competitive playing career. In his last season, Toivonen contributed 6 goals in 25 appearances for , helping the team secure the league title. At the age of 36, Toivonen cited physical demands and his body's inability to maintain performance levels as key factors, despite retaining strong motivation to play. He also emphasized priorities, including time with his wife and parents, and expressed a desire to conclude his career at his boyhood club, , where he had returned in 2020 after stints abroad. Following his retirement, Toivonen joined as assistant in February 2023. Reflecting on his legacy, Toivonen amassed 503 club appearances and 171 goals across his career, spanning clubs in , the , , , and , with notable achievements including two titles and a win.

Career statistics

Club

Ola Toivonen's club career encompassed nine different teams across , the , , , and , where he accumulated 510 appearances and scored 172 goals in all competitions, along with 66 assists (where recorded). His contributions varied by club, with peak productivity during spells at and Melbourne Victory, where he excelled as a forward and attacking . Note that assists data is incomplete for early career matches prior to 2010. The following table summarizes his appearances, goals, and assists by club, including all competitions (league, domestic cups, and continental tournaments):
ClubYearsAppearancesGoalsAssists
2003–2005418-
2006256-
Malmö FF (first spell)2007–200851178
2009–20141987932
Stade Rennais2014–201654155
2015–20161410
2016–20186694
Melbourne Victory2018–202044285
Malmö FF (second spell)2020–2022621720
Total2003–202255518074
A breakdown by competition type highlights Toivonen's involvement in domestic leagues (462 appearances, 152 goals), domestic cups (approximately 60 appearances, 15 goals), and continental competitions (approximately 33 appearances, 13 goals). League play formed the bulk of his career, particularly in the Eredivisie with PSV and the A-League with Melbourne Victory, while cup and European matches provided key moments, such as his goals in UEFA Europa League qualifiers. For clarity, the table below provides a season-by-season summary of his league appearances and goals (excluding cups and , as they were sporadic), focusing on major spells for brevity:
SeasonClubLeague AppsLeague Goals
2003132
200482
2005204
2006256
2007243
20082714
2008–09146
2009–103313
2010–112815
2011–123318
2012–13178
2013–14141
2013–14Stade Rennais157
2014–15Stade Rennais307
2015–16Stade Rennais10
2015–16120
2016–17357
2017–18230
2018–19Melbourne Victory2013
2019–20Melbourne Victory1810
2020218
202180
2022256
This distribution underscores his most prolific periods at PSV, where he averaged over 15 goals per season in peak years, and at Melbourne Victory, contributing significantly to their attack.

International

Ola Toivonen represented at various youth international levels, beginning with the under-17 team in 2003, where he made 2 appearances without scoring. He progressed to the under-19 side in and , earning 11 caps and netting 6 goals during qualification campaigns and friendlies. Toivonen's most prolific youth stint came with the under-21 team from 2006 to 2009, where he accumulated 28 caps and scored 13 goals, including notable contributions in qualifiers, helping reach the 2009 finals in . Toivonen debuted for the senior national team on 14 January 2007, in a 2–0 friendly win against , and went on to earn 64 caps and score 14 goals between 2007 and 2018. His goals were distributed across friendlies (7), qualifiers (3), qualifiers (3), and the (1), with no goals in his 3 appearances at Euro 2012. Key highlights include his first international goal on 29 May 2010, in a 4–2 friendly victory over , and a dramatic 95th-minute equalizer via a long-range volley against on 23 June 2018, in a 2–1 group stage win that secured 's advancement. Another standout was his injury-time winner from inside his own half against on 9 June 2017, in a 2–1 qualifier, clinching a crucial victory.
Youth LevelCapsGoals
U1720
U19116
U212813
Total4119
Senior CompetitionCapsGoals
Friendlies297
World Cup Qualifiers153
Euro Qualifiers133
30
FIFA World Cup 201851
Total6414
Toivonen's senior goal timeline reflects his development as a versatile forward: his debut goal came in after three years of building experience, with a burst of five goals in 2011–2012 across qualifiers and friendlies, including strikes against (3 June 2011, World Cup qualifier, 4–1 win) and (7 October 2011, Euro qualifier, 1–0 win). Production tapered in later years, but he remained a squad regular for major tournaments, starting in two of Sweden's three Euro 2012 group matches (against and ) before a last-16 exit, and featuring in all five World Cup 2018 games en route to the quarter-finals. His final international appearance was on 7 July 2018, in a 2–0 quarter-final loss to , after which he retired from national duty.

Honours

Club honours

Toivonen contributed to PSV Eindhoven's victory in the during the 2011–12 season, where the team defeated 3–0 in the final on April 8, 2012. As club captain for the match, he led the celebrations after PSV's triumph, marking his first major trophy in the after joining the club in 2009. He also won the 2013 with PSV. His overall performance that season included 27 goals across all competitions, helping PSV secure the domestic cup despite a third-place finish in the . With , Toivonen played a key role in winning the title in 2020, scoring the third goal in a decisive 4–0 victory over IK Sirius on November 8, which clinched the championship and marked the club's 21st league triumph. He appeared in 21 league matches that season, contributing 8 goals and 7 assists to Malmö's dominant campaign. The following year, in 2021, despite limited appearances (8 matches, no goals), Toivonen was part of the squad that defended the title. In 2022, he helped Malmö win the before retiring. At Melbourne Victory, Toivonen earned the individual A-League Golden Boot for the 2018–19 season, sharing the award with teammate after scoring 15 league goals in 25 appearances. His prolific form, including a club-record 10 goals in his first 13 A-League matches, transformed Victory's forward line and earned him the PFA Player of the Month for 2018. Toivonen's technical ability and set-piece prowess, such as free-kick goals against , were instrumental in his individual accolade, though the team fell short in the grand final.

International honours

Toivonen represented Sweden at the youth international level, contributing to the under-21 team's semi-final appearance (ranked third) at the held in . During the tournament, he scored three goals, including in the group stage against and in the semi-final against , with Sweden losing on penalties. His performances underscored his emerging role as a key forward in the squad. At the senior level, Toivonen earned 64 caps for between 2007 and 2018, scoring 14 goals, and was selected for major tournaments without securing any titles but achieving notable milestones. He featured in the squad, starting in the group stage matches, including the 2–0 win against , though Sweden exited in the group phase. In the , Toivonen played a pivotal role in Sweden's run to the quarter-finals, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 group stage victory over with a volley in the 32nd minute, which propelled Sweden out of the group before their elimination by in the last eight.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/profil/spieler/36500
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/31/sweden-world-cup-striker-ola-toivonen-set-for-melbourne-victory
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/erfolge/spieler/36500
  4. https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=24961
  5. https://www.mff.se/en/team/men/staff/ola-toivonen/
  6. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/who-ola-toivonen-inside-track-15063659
  7. https://www.fotmob.com/players/39139/ola-toivonen
  8. https://www.hitc.com/five-facts-about-newcastle-and-norwich-target-ola-toivonen/
  9. https://fbref.com/en/players/de4fe7a2/Ola-Toivonen
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/transfers/spieler/36500
  11. https://m.aiscore.com/player-malmo-ff/2ezk96i9w8cekn5
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/36500/wettbewerb/SE1
  13. https://soccer365.net/competitions/712/2007/
  14. https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/swe-allsvenskan-2008/
  15. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0254-0d7c86a2364c-448bea2a4e5d-1000--stevens-signs-talented-toivonen-for-psv/
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/36500
  17. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11914/7287633/toivonen-commits-to-psv
  18. https://ghanasoccernet.com/psv-take-the-lead-in-the-knvb-beker-final-ola-toivonen-backheel-v-heracles
  19. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11914/8160557/psv-eindhoven-forward-ola-toivonen-out-for-six-months
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/leistungsdaten/spieler/36500
  21. https://www.transfermarkt.us/psv-eindhoven/transfers/verein/383/saison_id/2013
  22. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37431285/ola-toivonen-joins-sunderland-loan-rennes
  23. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11811/9128240/ligue-1-ola-toivonen-agrees-rennes-switch-from-psv-eindhoven
  24. https://www.psv.nl/en/media/artikel/ola-toivonen-naar-stade-rennes
  25. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ligue-1/tabelle/wettbewerb/FR1/saison_id/2013
  26. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ligue-1/tabelle/wettbewerb/FR1/saison_id/2014
  27. https://rougememoire.com/player/ola-toivonen
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ligue-1/tabelle/wettbewerb/FR1/saison_id/2015
  29. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34084937
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/leistungsdaten/spieler/36500/saison/
  31. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/28/sunderland-ola-toivonen-season-long-loan-rennes-dick-advocaat
  32. https://fbref.com/en/players/de4fe7a2/matchlogs/2015-2016/summary/Ola-Toivonen-Match-Logs
  33. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37435100/man-city-cruise-sunderland-capital-one-cup
  34. https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/sunderland-stuck-with-loanee-ola-toivonen-after-french-club-rule-out-return-387043
  35. https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/toulouse-sign-swedish-striker-toivonen-20160804-CMS-181800.html
  36. https://fbref.com/en/players/de4fe7a2/matchlogs/2016-2017/summary/Ola-Toivonen-Match-Logs
  37. https://fbref.com/en/squads/3f8c4b5f/2016-2017/Toulouse-Stats
  38. https://fbref.com/en/players/de4fe7a2/matchlogs/2017-2018/summary/Ola-Toivonen-Match-Logs
  39. https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/swedish-star-ola-toivonen-joins-melbourne-victory/
  40. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/broxham-crowns-career-by-winning-victory-medal-20190525-p51r3c.html
  41. https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/toivonen-appointed-victory-captain/
  42. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/stats/_/league/AUS.1/season/2019
  43. https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/ola-toivonen-depart-melbourne-victory/
  44. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/04/a-league-loses-a-star-as-ola-toivonen-departs-melbourne-victory
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.us/malmo-ff-sign-toivonen-return-after-more-than-11-years/view/news/362310
  46. https://www.mff.se/nyheter/ola-toivonen-avslutar-fotbollskarriaren/
  47. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ola-toivonen/nationalmannschaft/spieler/36500
  48. https://www.svenskfotboll.se/nyheter/landslag/2018/8/herr-ola-t/
  49. https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0ded8f7e8bce-d35fa5263d9e-1000--u21-euro-top-scorers-and-most-capped-players/
  50. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/26/england-sweden-under21
  51. https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0de971413717-83b9452f30d2-1000--toivonen-stirred-by-swedish-spirit/
  52. https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0252-0cddd35c8c7e-c723237ae8b1-1000--2009-under-21-euro-germany-take-title-at-last/
  53. https://www.transfermarkt.us/venezuela_sweden/index/spielbericht/2517623
  54. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/498175/sweden-germany
  55. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7d01eb45fd-ec9ebd3964cd-1000--toivonen-unruffled-as-sweden-meet-finland/
  56. https://www.psv.nl/en/media/artikel/toivonen-speler-met-temperament
  57. https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/attacken-mot-mffs-damer/
  58. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-5918695/Meet-Swedish-WAGs-stands-Saturday.html
  59. https://www.thesun.co.uk/world-cup-2018/6694446/meet-the-swedish-wags/
  60. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/toivonen-heading-back-to-sweden-for-kids-and-to-be-close-to-family-20200407-p54hvi.html
  61. https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/RGGlOW/ola-toivonen-avslutar-karriaren
  62. https://www.svt.se/sport/fotboll/ola-toivonen-avslutar-karriaren-efter-sasongen
  63. https://www.transfermarkt.us/malmo-ff_degerfors-if/index/spielbericht/3731545
  64. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ola-toivonen/leistungsdaten/spieler/36500
  65. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ola-toivonen/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/36500
  66. https://kids.kiddle.co/Ola_Toivonen
  67. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/18479-ola-toivonen
  68. https://melbournevictory.com.au/club/history/honour-roll/
  69. https://pfa.net.au/news/latsko-and-toivonen-named-pfa-players-of-the-month-for-december/
  70. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/victory-record-breaker-toivonen-a-real-golden-boot-contender-20190127-p50txw.html
  71. https://www.uefa.com/under21/history/seasons/2009/
  72. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2003341--sweden-vs-france/lineups/
  73. https://inside.fifa.com/news/germany-sweden-kroos-late-win-2966728
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