Its been a difficult time. The potential strike that is happening in US soccer has made every player worry about their career’s and where they will be playing next season…. It’s been a big surprise how long the negotiations have been going on and no agreement has been reached.

All that the players are asking for is FIFA RIGHTS!! Every football player in the world that I know of plays under those rules, big or small leagues. So when I thought an agreement would be signed in a second…How wrong was I…..

A lot of very good clubs in Europe has shown an interest in me this winter and that is always a nice feeling and very flattering. I also want to say that I have handled this situation with the respect and dignity that the Seattle fans deserve. I don’t believe that players should look to manufacture moves to other clubs by involving the media, as this is disrespectful to their club and fans. I hope you understand that this situation was out of my control but I can say that I am truly happy that it has been resolved and I will be returning to Seattle.

Personally I’ve never been close to be in this situation in my life. Very confusing. Reality is that I’m 32 years old.. I cant on a personal note sit out a year and not play, I love the game and want to play my last years of my career, especially when so many great clubs have shown an interest and I’m grateful to them.

I can say that the reason I missed training this week was because of a communication error due to the business discussions. I had by this point already committed to playing with the Sounders next year, which I am very excited about.

I’m very grateful to all the clubs who have shown a great interest in my services but as I’ve always said I want to go back to America and play for Seattle. Based on the latest news I’ve heard from both sides,  there wont be a lock out or strike on Feb 1. So from Feb 1 I will be with my team in Seattle trying to help them become the best team in America.

I CAN HAPPILY SAY THAT IT FEELS VERY NICE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MY WORD. SORRY THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH SPECULATION

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my great fans for their support during this time both in letters and here on the internet.

//F

Just reading in Seattle Times that SSFC coaches doesnt know about my arrival, which surprises me.

Yesterday morning, before the Sounders FCs training we agreed with GM Adrian Hanauer about my future.

Just wanted to give u guys an update, more info to you will follow shortly.

Thanks // F

This winter I am spending a lot of time in the Swedish mountains and Åre as the resort is called, and which is the perfect place for me.

I’m having a great time and at the same time doing my personal pre-season training before joining the team. Doing some boarding in the mornings, then lots of running, sprinting and going to Gym followed by another 3 hours boarding in the afternoon. As you understand I absolutely love snowboarding, check out the picture a friend of mine took the other day.

I have excellent support up here with local physio therapists that looks after my body. I have actually the hard way found out how important it is to have professionals to look after you while training hard, especially during pre-season and this gets more and more important for every year.

During the winter there has been some reports in media about teams in Europe asking for my service, and as a Player it is always an honour when top teams are interested and evidently this shows that MLS these days is a very reputable League.

I have not made any final decision about the spring as a lot depends on the outcome of the new CBA and lockout threat in MLS.

Stay tuned.

//Freddie.

I know Hasse Backe very well. He has great knowledge about the game. He was one of the 3 people I wanted to become swedish coach, when the job was up for grabs this year. If he can adapt to transfer and budget differences then he will be a great success. He is a top draw manager.

I purposely haven’t written much lately since I have been travelling and not been carrying my Macbook, I also wanted to forget about the world for a little bit… I will get back to you guys soon. To give you a clue, I have been just 3 feet away from a male lion…

// F

Photo: mlsnet.com

Check out below text and link from the MLS site !
//Claes, agent
CAA Sports

————————————
NEW YORK — MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the 2009 Best XI during his annual State of the League address. The Best XI recognizes the League’s top 11 players at each position on the field – one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards. Six members of the 2009 Best XI are prior recipients of the honor, while five have been named to the squad for the first time. The Best XI members received the most votes from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

MIDFIELDER – FREDDIE LJUNGBERG (Seattle Sounders FC)
DOB – April 16, 1977
Citizenship – Sweden

The Swedish superstar made a remarkable recovery from off-season hip surgery while making a smooth transition from the English Premier League to Major League Soccer. Ljungberg, who became Seattle’s first Designated Player prior to the 2009 season, led a dynamic offense with a team high nine assists. His vision and creativity helped spark the Sounders run to the playoffs – only the third expansion team in MLS history to qualify. Ljungberg was named an MLS All-Star in his first season, was MLS Player of the Month for October and was a finalist for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.

Photo: theoffside.com

I want to follow up on my last blog post and a few of the comments (I try to read them all – thanks) associated to this branding me as a bit of a “sore looser” in reference to the Dynamo game.

Whatever I have said, or will say, about the quality of the stadium in Houston I want to be very clear and say that it had nothing to do with the outcome of the game. Both Seattle and Houston played on the same pitch and had exactly the same circumstances, and even if it was a handball it does not matter at all as the referee has ruled which we all accept as professionals. Therefore I say it again, it was a fair win for Dynamo.

The point I am trying to make is to raise questions in reference to what is good or bad for MLS  (also adressed in my second column on ESPN´s US soccer site, released friday) as all of us involved are interested in seeing the League grow and benefit all teams in the future. I will therefore use my experience and continue to highlight issues I think need to be changed or improved in order to support the development of our League.

The League and Players Union are in discussion in reference to a new collective bargaining agreement as the current one expires this winter and one thing I know is that all the Players want to get FIFA rules. Except for the U.S. every country and player in the world of soccer has accepted these rules, to my knowledge even really small Leagues with minimum salaries. So what I am trying to highlight is that all we want as Players is to show the high quality of soccer that is being played in the US. If we are not getting the chance to do that I will be telling you why, as I see it, as I have done recently in reference to the quality of the pitch in Houston. A bit of inside information for you is that after the last game several of the Dynamo players apologized for the state of their pitch, which I think was a very nice gesture and underlines my point.

There are so many talented young U.S. players and foreign players in the league who deserve better conditions in order to be able to show their quality. Even if the MLS is a very young League compared to a lot of others around the world it is doing well, but as a player you need to feel sure that you can pass the ball without it flying everywhere and having proper soccer lines in the correct colours which is something much smaller Leagues internationally are adamant about. I sincerely feel that for MLS to be able to elevate its recognition Internationally this is a very important factor!!

People come to watch soccer games live for entertainment, but if the pitches are not good enough so that Players can’t  perform to their best ability they will say that the MLS standard is not good enough. I have personally, numerous times tried to promote the MLS in Europe, but when they see for themselves on TV that NFL lines are remaining during our games they laugh and say that it is not professional.

With all that said I have great belief in the future of soccer in the US and am ready to work hard together with the MLS and all the Players!

Off for a short holiday … where do you think I am? (will choose a winner who receives a signed cap)

//F