Jan Olsson (footballer, born 1944)

Jan Viktor Olsson (18 March 1944 – 18 May 2023) was a Swedish professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He represented GAIS, VfB Stuttgart, and Örgryte IS during a club career that spanned between 1965 and 1977. A full international between 1967 and 1973, he won 22 caps and scored one goal for the Sweden national team and played at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He was awarded Guldbollen as Sweden's best footballer of the year in 1970.

Club career
Olsson played for Gais before he became a professional with VfB Stuttgart in 1969. In 1971, he returned to Gais. He is remembered as a rough midfielder and defender.

International career
In the 1970 FIFA World Cup Olsson played the first two matches against Italy, where he marked the Italian forward Gigi Riva with tenacity and vigor, and Israel. However he did not play the last match against Uruguay. In total he was capped 22 times for the Sweden national team.

Post-playing career
Olsson was the manager of Eintracht Braunschweig from July 1994 until September 1995.

Death
Olsson died on 18 May 2023, at the age of 79.

Honours
Individual


 * Stor Grabb: 1969
 * Guldbollen: 1970