Martin Olsson nearly joined West Bromwich Albion on a short-term deal in January after training with the first-team, but the move fell through and he ended up signing for Helsingborg IF.
The 31-year-old was a free agent after being released from Swansea City last summer and West Brom offered him a trial when the winter transfer window opened. Slaven Bilic was looking at Olsson due to Kieran Gibbs’ injury problems and Nathan Ferguson’s uncertain future, but a paperwork issue stopped a deal happening.
Olsson told Fotboll Skane via Sport Witness: “The apartment was ready, everything was ready, but there was a bit of a mess there with some player, and the sports manager couldn’t get that part done.
“It kind of ruined my business there. But it was a little minor, and didn’t have to do with my old injury. But it was very close, everything was clear. Only the signature was missing.
The 31-year-old spent 14 years in England, first joining Blackburn Rovers from Hogaborg in 2006 and going on to make 142 appearances before moving to Norwich City in 2013. Olsson made 129 appearances for the Canaries before joining Swansea in 2017, but he lasted only two years at the Liberty Stadium, making 75 appearances.
He admitted being disappointed that his West Brom move fell through, adding: “It was obviously a little sour. They were one in the Championship and were on their way up. I know most of the players in the team as well, because I have met them for so long. That’s the kind of thing that can happen.”
Olsson ended up joining Helsingborg, but his long-term future is uncertain as the new Allsvenskan season has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
