You may not know a lot about Everton's latest aquisition
from Scandinavia and before I started this research neither did I.
Birthplace: Hässleholm, Sweden
Date of birth: 21 April 1979
Height: 174cm
Weight: 72kg
For those who are yet to see Tobias play, he is a very constructive midfielder who was said to be ready for the national team at an early age. He has a very good technique and superb vision.
This was the main factor for why Swedish side Elfsborg were a success in Allsvenskan (Swedish League) during 1997. Alongside his manager Anders Linderoth, they became a symbol of Elfsborgs entertaining style of play.
Anders Linderoth, Tobias' father and current Hammarby manager has pretty much shaped his career. It's almost the same situation as Paul and Kenny Dalglish except Tobias Linderoth is a technically a lot better than Paul Dalglish. His father won the Swedish player of the year award in 1977 so as you can tell he is very popular in his own country. Also it might be worth pointing out that a certain Anders Limpar won it in 1991 and former Everton target Magnus Hedman of Coventry won it in 2000.
The following year he didn't get the same confidence from the new manager Kalle Björklund and so he felt it was time to leave Elfsborg. Tobias rejoined his father in the Norwegian Premier League with Staedbk where Tobi was an instant hit! So much so that he was v oted the only player in the Norwegian league who could improve Norwegian giants Rosenborg's squads. In other words the Rosenborg fans thought Tobias Linderoth was the best player in the league outside of their own squad.
After two successful years with Stabaek, there was intense speculation that Tobias was on his way out of the club and the country.
The then 22-year-old midfielder, who played for Norwegian first division team Stabaek, said the team had shown interest in selling him before his contract expires.
"Stabaek) want to make money off me and don't want to lose me as a Bosman-case,'' he told the Norwegian press.
"It would be a nice way to leave the club, so they get paid.''
Linderoth's contract with Stabaek was due to finish at the end of the Norwegian season, which is the middle of January.
"Its important that I try to play my own game. In Stabaek I've become more and more defensive on the pitch and I have the same role in the national team, a role that I really like. I've become a lot more stronger in Norway and have also gained some experience. But there's a lot of aspects that I can imporove up on. The physical part for example, and of course the routine of playing regularly and the experience that comes from this."
Anders Linderoth resigned from Stabaek when they were 3rd placed in the league because of personal problems possibly homesickness, he took a small break from football management, now back in Swedish football and Hammarby.
On the international scene Tobias was not very well regarded by the Swedish fans. Many felt that he was not good enough and was only in the team because of whom his father is. Tommy Soderberg's faith in Tobias soon paid off after several solid performances by Tobias changed the Swedish fans minds about Tobias and he is fast becoming a fans favourite back in his native country. He made his debut for Sweden against Slovakia on the 1st June 2001.
Swedish coach Lars Lagerback makes comparisons between Tobias and Stefan Schwarz of Sunderland.
“Both of them have very good vision and passing skill. Stefan is better at defending, especially man-to-man, has more experience and a great left foot. Tobias is much quicker though and can come out of tight situations easier. Tobias is in his early stages of his career and we have found a really good replacement to Schwartz. At 22 years old. Tobias Linderoth sure is a player for the future. He is the youngest player in the nat. team”
At Bellefield on his arrival he found a certain Mr. Gasciogne had took a bit of a shine to him and promptly stole his training kit,, ran out onto the training field with the kit and needless to say Tobias never saw their kit again.
Thanks to Martin Persson for Swedish translation.