TUKWILA, Wash. — How Gustav Svensson arrived in Seattle happened very quickly.
Svensson, 30, had another year remaining on his contract with Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League, but recent rule changes made by the Chinese Football Association reduced the number of foreign-born players on each team, essentially leaving Svensson and others in limbo.
Svensson is a 10-year professional who had stints in his native Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine prior to his time in China, and now that he is playing in the United States for the first time, he’s looking forward to the opportunity.
“I always wanted to play in MLS,” Svensson said. “I like the league. I like the country as well. When I got the opportunity, I was very thrilled.”
Svensson is friendly with countryman and former Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg, who won the 2016 MLS Cup with the club in December before signing with Sweden’s BK Hacken in the offseason. Friberg talked very highly about the league and his time in Seattle, and it convinced Svensson it would be a great place to ply his trade.
Svensson is a defensive midfielder and loves lying deep and keeping possession as well as doing the necessary dirty work in front of the back line. At 6-feet tall, he’s rather big for a traditional No. 6, but he’s looking forward to using that to his advantage.
“I’ve heard [MLS] was physical, and it is,” Svensson said. “More than the other leagues I’ve played in. But I like that because I’m a physical player.
“I like to hit some players,” Svensson added with a smile, “to tackle them.”
Svensson has played center back and right back as well in his career, and Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer likes what his new acquisition brings to the table on both sides of the ball. Svensson admitted that playing in China was a big cultural adjustment for him and he had a difficult time adapting to a wholly new environment, but living in Seattle already feels more natural.
“From Europe, [Seattle is not very different], especially Sweden,” Svensson said. “This is like going home.”
