From the German 3 Liga to the Swedish national team in two seasons: Gustaf Nilsson returns to international consideration | OneFootball

When Gustaf Nilsson left the Allsvenskan to join Wehen Wiesbaden in 2020, not many would have predicted that just a few seasons later he would back in the Swedish national team set up and scoring goals in Europe. However, with 12 goals and six assists this season, Nilsson has been rewarded with a call up to the Swedish national team for the upcoming international break.

The tall forward has earned two caps, but these came in friendlies against Estonia and Denmark in 2018. He did manage his only international goal against Denmark, but since then has not been in consideration for international football. In Germany, the striker did take a bit of time to get going. In his first season he managed six goals in 17 games, with two assists. Yet his second season showed he had adapted to the league and the German style of football. He managed 14 goals and five assists in 30 games, earning a move to Union St Gilloise.

Union had already had success in signing strikers from the German third tier. Denis Undaz has made his way to Belgium from the same league, although Nilsson did not have such an instant impact as Undaz. He announced himself as a fans favourite after two late goals against Braga in the Europa League, which were two of his 10 goals he scored during the 2022/2023.

With Victor Boniface having departed in the summer, there was an opening for Nilsson to take a starting spot in the side. He has taken his chance with both hands, working well with Mohamed Amoura to help the side to sit top of the Pro League. As a result of his output, the strikers overall value has leapt from €500k to €2.50m. Nilsson is just the latest in a long line of players that Union have signed relatively cheaply and gotten maximum returns out of on the pitch.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson