Ljungberg named Swedish skipper

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been named the new Sweden captain by coach Lars Lagerback.

Ljungberg has been handed the captain’s armband after Aston Villa skipper Olof Mellberg chose to stand down.

However, with Ljungberg currently out injured, new vice-captain Tobias Linderoth will lead Sweden in their upcoming friendly with Germany, for which Lagerback has named a 19-man squad.

“Mellberg informed me a few days ago that he would like to step down as captain and it is a decision I have to accept,” said Lagerback.

“When vice-captain Henrik Larsson has quit as a player for Sweden, the choice of Ljungberg was easy to make.”