Sebastian Larsson is one of a number of notable Swedes to have carved out a successful career in the Barclays Premier League.
The 26-year-old, who is notorious for his accurate set-pieces and deadly crossing ability, was born in Eskilstuna and began his playing days as a youngster with his home town club.
Arsene Wenger's famous scouting network soon identified his talent and took the young Larsson to Arsenal, where he would complete an apprenticeship as one of the club's up-and-coming stars.
He made his debut for the North London club in a 2-1 Carling Cup win over Manchester City at Eastlands in October 2004, playing the full 90 minutes.
He would play two further Carling Cup games in 2004-05, as per Wenger's policy of using the competition to blood promising youngsters.
Larsson made further progress during the following season, featuring against Ajax in the Champions' League and playing three Premier League games alongside appearances in both the Carling and FA Cups.
The winger made his league debut as a half-time substitute for Sol Campbell during a 3-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United at Highbury in February 2006.
But it was Larsson's move to Birmingham which would truly ignite his career.
Originally signed on loan in August 2006 by then-Blues boss Steve Bruce, Larsson proved to be a runaway success at St Andrew's and was signed permanently on transfer deadline day in January 2007.
Larsson enjoyed a heavy workload during his first season in the Midlands, making a total of 50 appearances for the Championship club and netting nine goals to help Blues win promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.
With new manager Alex McLeish installed at Birmingham, Larsson made 37 appearances and scored six goals in 2007-08 but couldn't save the club from relegation.
The Swedish under-21 international won his first senior international cap in June 2008, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Johan Elmander in a 2-1 defeat to Spain in Innsbruck, Austria.
In 2008-09, Larsson would play a leading role in Sweden's bid for qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, playing in six qualifying games. At club level, he helped Birmingham to promotion once again.
And Blues kept their top-flight place this time, with Larsson chipping in with four goals as the Midlands club finished ninth in the Barclays Premier League in 2009-10, although the winger missed out on the World Cup as Sweden failed to qualify.
Last season yielded a tally of 41 club appearances for Larsson, who has been capped by his country 31 times overall at senior level.
He was a constant thorn in Sunderland's side, laying on both of Birmingham's goals on the opening day of the campaign at the Stadium of Light and scoring in City's 2-0 win over the Black Cats at St Andrew's later in the season.
The Swede, who has been capped 31 times overall at senior level by his country, also scored his first international goal, netting in the 2-1 win over Moldova back in March.
Out of contract in the Midlands, Larsson opted to join up with former boss Bruce and will don the red and white of Sunderland in 2011-12 after penning a three-year contract.
