Stefan Schwarz

Hans-Jürgen Stefan Schwarz (born 18 April 1969) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Between 1985 and 1987, he spent two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen's youth team.

He made his debut as a professional footballer with his hometown club Malmö FF.

Schwarz started off his career with Malmö FF in 1987 before moving on to represent Benfica, Arsenal, Fiorentina and Valencia until he retired at Sunderland in 2003.

Schwarz won 69 caps for the Sweden national team, scoring 6 goals.

He represented his country at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1992 and most notably the 1994 FIFA World Cup where Sweden finished third.

Born to a German father (who played football in lower leagues in Germany) and a Swedish mother in the city of Malmö, Schwarz started his playing career as a midfielder with Kulladals FF's academy.

He then moved to Benfica for the 1990–91 season to play under manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.

After having represented the Sweden U17, U19, and U21 teams, Schwarz made his full international debut for Sweden on 14 February 1990 as a substitute in a friendly game against the United Arab Emirates where he replaced Pontus Kåmark in the 80th minute before also scoring his first international goal in a 1–1 draw.

A few months later he appeared in his first major tournament for Sweden as he played in all three games at left back as Sweden was eliminated from the 1990 FIFA World Cup after the group stage.

Schwarz became a regular starter for Benfica, winning the Primeira Liga twice, and playing in the side that knocked Arsenal out of the European Cup in 1991.

In 1992, Schwarz appeared in three games as Sweden progressed to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1992 before being eliminated by West Germany.

He subsequently moved to London to play for Arsenal in the summer of 1994 for £1.8 million but grew frustrated with George Graham's defensive tactics.

In 1994, he played in centre midfield alongside Jonas Thern as Sweden finished third at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

The defeat to Real Zaragoza in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final was Schwarz's last game for Arsenal.

He left Highbury after just one season at the club.

Schwarz then completed a £2.5 million transfer to Fiorentina.

He spent three seasons in Italy, lifting the Coppa Italia and Super Cup.

In the summer 1998 he reunited with Claudio Ranieri, moving to Spain to join Valencia.

After one season he joined English side Sunderland on 29 July 1999 for a then-club record fee of £3.75 million.

Because of Schwarz's publicly-expressed desire to become a space tourist, the club inserted a "Space Clause" into his contract, stating that if he were to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere his contract would become wholly invalid.

He was bestowed with the Guldbollen in November 1999, Sweden's award for footballer of the year.

An injury to his Achilles tendon kept him out of the squad for UEFA Euro 2000.

He declared his international retirement in August 2001 to focus on his club team after a series of injuries while with the national team.

His last international appearance came in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Moldova on 28 March 2001.

Schwarz won a total of 69 caps during his career, scoring six goals.

Individual

Schwarz eventually fell out with manager Peter Reid and was transfer listed in summer 2002.

He made his last appearance for the club coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes of the League Cup tie at Sheffield United 3 December 2002.

Schwarz retired from playing in March 2003.