Oscar Wendt

Oscar Joakim Wendt (born 24 October 1985) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a left-back. He is currently the assistant coach of Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg.

A product of the IFK Skövde youth academy, he started his professional career with the club. Across his career, Wendt played for IFK Skövde, Copenhagen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and IFK Göteborg. A full international from 2007 to 2016, he won 28 caps for Sweden.

Club career IFK Göteborg After playing for IFK Skövde, he joined IFK Göteborg in 2003. He became an important first team player, earning 14 appearances on the Swedish U21 team and a call-up for the Sweden national team.

In his time at the club he played 91 matches, before moving to the Danish champions Copenhagen on a four-year contract for 6 million DKK. After his departure to Copenhagen, a huge gap arose in the defence, later filled by Argentine defender José Shaffer coming from Racing Club.

Copenhagen In his first two years at Copenhagen, he struggled to become a first team regular, first being a back-up for former Norwegian international André Bergdølmo and later Danish international Niclas Jensen. However, in 2008, he managed to become a first choice on the left back position for his team, earning him after 18 months a call-up to the Sweden national team. His strong performances also had him linked with both English club West Ham United and Italian club Genoa.

With an injured Bergdølmo in Copenhagen's 2006–07 UEFA Champions League campaign, Wendt played regularly as a left back, and in the team's 3–1 win against Celtic, he alongside fellow Copenhagen defender Michael Gravgaard was chosen for the Eurosport "Team of the Round".

Borussia Mönchengladbach Wendt joined Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach on a free transfer on 10 June 2011.

On 17 August 2015, Wendt signed a three-year contract extension with the club, running until the end of the 2017–18 season.

On 23 March 2021, Mönchengladbach announced that Wendt would be leaving the club when his contract expired at the end of the 2020–21 season. Over his time at the club, he made over 290 appearances for the club in ten years across all competitions.

Return to IFK Göteborg On the same day, it was announced that Wendt would return to Sweden and rejoin IFK Göteborg on a free transfer. He returned on 1 July 2021, signing a one and-a-half year contract. Wendt was named club captain after Marcus Berg announced his retirement after the 2023 season.

Retirement On 22 November 2024, Wendt announced his retirement from professional football, earning over 600 total appearances in 22 years.

International career

Having represented Sweden at U17, U19, and U21 levels, Wendt made his Sweden senior team debut in January 2007 in a friendly game against Venezuela. Wendt was overlooked for a spot in Sweden's UEFA Euro 2016 squad despite a strong season in Bundesliga.

Wendt retired from the national team in March 2017, having represented the national team a total of 28 times.

Personal life He is the son of former footballer Joakim Wendt, who played two seasons with IFK Göteborg.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Copenhagen Danish Superliga: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 Danish Cup: 2008–09