Former Swedish national team footballer to step into the boxing ring after coma.

Kristoffer Olsson transitions to boxing

According to The Sun: Former Arsenal midfielder Kristoffer Olsson has decided to take up boxing, just a year after health issues halted his football career.

Olsson, 30, once had the chance to shine on the football field - he scored in a penalty shootout in the League Cup against West Brom in 2013.

Olsson left the club in 2014, moving to Danish club Midtjylland, and later played for teams in Sweden, Russia, and Belgium.

In 2022, he returned to Midtjylland, but in February 2024 he lost consciousness at home. Doctors found several clots and inflammation in his brain.

Olsson lost the ability to control motor functions and speech, which led to him being placed in a medically induced coma and spending several months in the hospital.

Now, the athlete has sufficiently recovered to return to his youth club IK Sleipner in Norrköping.

However, the 30-year-old player made a bold decision - to try his hand at boxing.

He will compete against his teammate from Sleipner, Maik Semas, 36, in an exhibition match in Klokaretorp, near Norrköping, on Saturday.

Maik Semas is the brother of former Watford midfielder Ken Semas, aged 31.

Olsson insisted: 'I didn't think about head punches. It's the same as in football, where you can head the ball.'

“I'm not scared. I think we'll be friendly towards each other.'

“We joked about who would take a big hit. Maybe I'll get knocked out, but I don't think I'll die from it.'

“It's more fun. Maik and I are teammates, and I don't think we'll be trying to seriously hurt each other.'

Olsson has the title of Swedish champion in Allsvenskan, obtained in 2018 with AIK. He also helped Midtjylland become champions of Denmark in 2015 and 2024.

The transition to boxing may become a new chapter in Olsson's career, demonstrating his courage and desire not to be deterred by difficulties. This exhibition match promises to be an exciting event for fans of both athletes, as both players have their paths in sport and are ready to impress their supporters with new achievements.