Linus Hallenius

Linus Hallenius (born 1 April 1989) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for GIF Sundsvall. Born in Sundsvall, Hallenius started his professional career with GIF Sundsvall, and is widely regarded as one of their greatest players of all time. During the transfer period on the summer of 2009 there were rumors that Hallenius was close to sign for Örgryte IS and several news papers went out with the news that Örgryte IS had signed him, which was denied by the club. Although the fact was that the club had made an agreement with GIF Sundsvall, but Hallenius hesitated about the transfer. On 7 July 2009, Hallenius signed a 3.5-year contract with Hammarby IF in the Allsvenskan. During the autumn of 2009, Hallenius made 8 appearances of which he played 4 as a starter, but did not score a goal. Hammarby IF were relegated to Superettan. During the 2010 season, Hallenius scored 18 goals in 23 matches, including a goal away against Syrianska FC on 20 June 2010 which was described as "wonderful" and "fantastic" and which was compared to a famous Marco van Basten goal. It was voted second in the FIFA Puskás Award. On 1 September 2010, Hallenius signed for Genoa who immediately loaned him back to Hammarby for the rest of the 2010 season. He joined up with his new teammates on 4 January 2011.