With nearly 300 appearances in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, including a pair of titles, few players from Sweden have had as much of an impact in French football. On the 20-year-anniversary of his debut, we look back at some of the key moments of his time in France.
Despite being just 21 years old when he joined Stade Rennais in January of 2004, Kim Källstrom was already an experienced player. A Swedish international since 2001, and a part of a golden generation that also included the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anders Svensson and Andreas Isaksson, the midfielder had also helped his club side, Djurgårdens, to consecutive Allensvenskan titles. Used as a wide or attacking midfielder in Sweden, where he was a prolific goalscorer, in France he was often used in a box-to-box or defensive role, but that did stop him from providing some memorable moments for the Breton side, and his future club, Olympique Lyonnais.
🇸🇪👌🦁🔴⚫
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 8, 2019
After @staderennais 's big win over Arsenal, we take a moment to celebrate Kim Kallstrom, who also played for @OL_English , winning two titles and two @coupedefrance 🏆🏆#Ligue1Legends pic.twitter.com/RDTSjrBEdn
A regular goalscorer for Rennes, he helped them to what was then their-best ever top flight finish in 2004-5, his first full season with the club. While the team's performances slipped slightly the following season, as they would come seventh, narrowly missing out on Europe, Källström showed no signs of dropping off, netting what would be a career-high eight Ligue 1 goals. The following summer would see him make his move to Olympique Lyonnais, where he replaced Mahamadou Diarra in midfield.
Playing alongside club legend Juninho, he helped Lyon win league titles in each of his first two seasons, as well as the Coupe de France in 2008 and 2012. A key player alongside Jérémy Toulalan in the team's run to the Champions League semifinals in 2010, he also deputized at left back at times, showing his commitment to the team and versatility. Across all competitions, he would appear nearly 300 times for Les Gones, a vital part of their success in both domestic and European play.
After leaving Lyon, he continued his club career in Russia, England and Switzerland before returning to Djurgårdens in 2017. He retired having played nearly 700 club matches, and as his country's fourth-most capped player. Well done, Kim!
