Peterborough United have confirmed the sale of striker Gustav Lindgren to Swedish top-flight side BK Häcken, bringing an end to the 24-year-old’s spell at London Road just over 12 months after his arrival.
Lindgren joined Posh from Degerfors last January and went on to make 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring six times. While he was rarely a guaranteed starter, his contribution was felt across the season, most notably as part of the squad that lifted the Vertu Trophy at Wembley last spring, when Peterborough defeated Birmingham City. Lindgren featured as a late substitute in that final and collected a winners’ medal in what proved to be a career highlight during his time in England.
Peterborough manager Luke Williams, a candidate for Manager of the Month alongside Michael Skubala, admitted the club were reluctant to lose the Swedish forward, but accepted that the opportunity presented to the player was too strong to ignore.
“I am sad to see Gustav go. I really enjoyed working with him,” Williams said. “Gustav has strong qualities and was more than capable of starting for us, but Harry’s form has been so good in a team that tends to play with one number nine, so minutes were limited.
“Gustav still gave everything to the group. He supported Harry at all times and made some big impacts himself off the substitutes’ bench. I’m sure part of Gustav’s thinking was being able to play more so he didn’t experience the dream he probably had when moving here, but he received an attractive offer and I’m delighted for him.”
Lindgren’s exit now leaves Peterborough with a significant decision to make during the January transfer window. The club must decide whether to place their trust in young striker Pemi Aderoju as back-up to leading scorer Harry Leonard, or move into the market for another attacking option.
Williams revealed he has already held detailed recruitment discussions with chairman Darragh MacAnthony and director of football Barry Fry, insisting that internal options are being treated with equal consideration.
“I was in a fantastic meeting with the chairman and Barry Fry yesterday,” Williams added. “Their record of recruitment at this club surely can’t be questioned. They showed a level of detail about players they have been looking at for a long time.
“We are targeting players outside the club, but there is no way those already here are being treated as second-class citizens. If Pemi was at a different club and I’d seen what I have seen here, I would be extremely interested in signing him.”
Williams also pointed to a strong pipeline of goals within the academy and recent loan spells, stressing that any decision will remain flexible as Peterborough reshape their attacking options following Lindgren’s departure.
For the Imps
I think this is really interesting, as it is two players from Scandinavia who have failed to settle at Posh.
This has me immediately thinking the move must be challenging, something Erik Ring is dealing with at City. I’m not expecting Ring to leave, not at all, but moving here isn’t just about adapting to the game. Ring has a girlfriend in Sweden, and a life which he upped and left.
That clearly takes some dealing with, as Peterborough’s two exited players have demonstrated.