Saints' Swedish defender Michael Svensson brought down the curtain on his playing career this week by announcing his decision to finally hang up his boots…

The 33-year old FA Cup finalist has struggled heroically with a range of injuries over the past few seasons but, despite his near-miraculous comeback at the start of the last campaign, he has finally decided he will now focus on a future in coaching.

Thursday's announcement comes exactly seven years to the day after the Swede was first unveiled at St. Mary's as Gordon Strachan's only summer signing of 2002 and severs the last remaining link on the playing side with the 2003 FA Cup final, in which Svensson played the full 90 minutes.

Few people sum up the determination to keep fighting for the cause more than the Michael Svensson does, but after five operations and many years of rehab he knew that the moment had come to finally call time.

"It's been in my mind for a while but it's hard to give it up," he admitted. "I've tried everything possible to give me a chance to play again, but it hasn't quite happened.

"I was on the beach last month in Cyprus and I felt great and thought about giving it another go, but then you have to be realistic and accept that all good things must eventually come to an end.

"I was delighted when Southampton signed me," he continued. "I said 'Yes' straight away and I haven't looked back. I've got some fantastic memories but now I have to look at the long term picture and look further ahead.

"I don't really know what the future holds, but I would like to carry on as a coach and it would be fantastic to be able to do that with Southampton."

Svensson in coaching mode on the touchline

Svensson's arrival at St. Mary's came on the back of his inclusion in Sweden's 2002 World Cup squad and coincided with Southampton's most successful season in recent times.

A solitary goal from Robert Pirès may have handed the silverware to Arsenal in the 2003 FA Cup final, but for Saints fans it was nevertheless a triumphant end to an astonishing campaign with 8th position in the Premier League secured and a place in Europe still to come.

A key part of that success was Svensson's rock solid centre-back partnership with Claus Lundekvam, and the Swede was the natural choice to succeed him as captain when an ankle injury forced the Norwegian's own retirement in March 2008.

"I was very honoured to be given the captain's armband last season," Svensson added.
"Leading the team out against Cardiff on the opening day was a very special moment for me. It was like a dream come true."

"It was fantastic to follow in the footsteps of a great player like Claus and be part of the history of the club as captain.

"I'm very proud of that and I have a lot of nice memories from those first few games when the fans who had supported me through my injury came out and gave me such a great reception.

"The welcome I got at St. Mary's when I got back this season in the home game against Birmingham is something that I will remember for ever.

"When I came back for pre-season last year after such a long rehab period it was a fantastic feeling for me. I couldn't wait to get started and I was glad that I was able to come back and show a few people that I could do it. I'm very grateful for that opportunity."

While an Achilles injury this season largely put paid to his involvement on the pitch, Svensson was still able to pass on his experience to the younger members of the squad as part of Mark Wotte's coaching team.

"It's been a good opportunity for me and when Mark Wotte asked if I wanted to be first team coach and I decided right away that I wanted to give it a go.

"Even when I wasn't fit I hope that I had a role in helping the younger players develop. It's given me a taste for it and hopefully I can now look forward to a long and successful career as a coach.

Professionalism, grit and determination have been the hallmarks of Svensson's Saints career and his bravery and defensive skills have been sorely missed in the years he has been fighting so hard to regain his first team place.

Svensson's eventual retirement will come as little surprise to the St. Mary's faithful, but it will be a long while yet before his 'Killer' contribution to the cause will be forgotten.

FANS' VIEW: Send us YOUR tributes to Michael Svensson. What are your finest 'Killer' moments...? Email your messages to programme@saintsfc.co.uk and we'll publish as many of them as we can! Please include your full name & location.