Christoffer Nyman scored 3 goals against us, who is he and should we buy him?

Yesterday the Sounders played 2 pre-season games, 1 of which was against Norrköping and Swedish striker and club captain Christoffer Nyman . He truly was a leader against us as well leading his side to a draw against the RAVE green with a hat-trick again, which gave him a impressive 9.8 match rating. A impressive performance to be sure but that opens a couple of questions. Is this kind of performance a regular thing for him and if yes, does that mean we should buy him? Let's find out

Nyman actually began his career with IFK Norrkoping in their youth ranks and they made it feel as much of a home away from home as possible. Starting as a ball boy plus selling candy at the age of 5. He even eventually even joined the signing section of the crowd during the games. Being as much a fan as he was a player from a very early age. Using the passion he grew for the club and the game through all the great experiences and opportunities the club and the game have him. He worked hard and harder with it finally paying off with him making his debut with his boyhood club in 2010.

In 3 appearances in the Superettan, the 2nd division of the Swedish division and he did a really great job. Not only scoring 3 goals in his 3 appearances but scored in each appearance with his final goal being a monumental moment for the club. His third and final goal for the season helped secure the club's promotion to Allsvenskan the Swedish 1st division. After the season for his impressive job and heroic effort in the little time he got, he was given the clubs "Youth Player of the Year" award.

He 1st time in the Allsvenskan proved to be a struggle though. He made 11 appearances in the Allsvenskan he didn't score a single goal. In the middle of the season he was even loaned to IF Sylvia
in the Swedish 3rd division which is confusingly called Division 1 for some reason. Where in 4 appearances he only got the 1 goal. He could've let this weigh him down and lose all his confidence or lose his passion for the game, He stayed strong however and continued to try and get better to try and earn a place so he can do amazing work in the club he's been a part of most of his life. He began to rebound in 2012. In 29 appearances he scored 8 goals a definite improvement over his form last year.

He hit another snag however only having 8 goals and 5 total assists in 58 games over both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He again didn't give up when he easily could've but instead continued to work hard and figured out a new way to be effective as a striker. Hence why in 2015 he had his best year of his whole career yet. Having a career best 10 goals and 4 assists in 29 appearances in the 2015 season. His improvement even caught the attention of those outside the Swedish borders and all the way into the German border.

In August 2016, Nyman transferred to German 2. Bundesliga club Eintracht Braunschweig. A club 1st off with a damn awesome badge. They're a former Bundesliga championship winning club who plays in the German town of Braunschweig. His time in the German 2nd division started out awesome with 11 goals and 2 assists in 31 appearances. His time in Germany was marred by injuries tragically. Suffering 4 injuries in 2 seasons in Germany. This led to a season in 2017/18 where he only scored 5 goals in 18 appearances. After such a struggle he thought it'd be best for him if he returned home. So for 2019 he returned to Sweden and IFK Norrköping.

He began where he left off having another 29 appearances and 10 goal season in 2019, the best was yet to come however. In 2020 season for the Allsvenskan was delayed for what was supposed to be start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the season having to start in June with the Swedish travel restrictions being lifted allowing the league to begin play. Nobody not even Nyman knew that these circumstances would allow the Swede to shine. For the 1st time in his career he was the Allsvenskan top scorer for 2020. Scoring 18 goals in 28 appearances along with 2 assists being the 1st Swedish striker to be the top scorer of the Allsvenskan in 2 seasons and beating fellow Swedish striker Astrit Selmani by 3 goals. Leading IFK Norrköping to a 6th place finish in the league for 2020.

He hasn't been able to recreate this form in the years since however, with his highest tally in a whole season being 11 goals in both 2022 and 2024. So after recapping his whole career do I think the Sounders should snag him to be on the bench? To be 100% honest with you, no. He's certainly effective in the Allsvenskan and I'm sure he's super happy in IFK Norrköping where he's now earned team captaincy. His resume simply isn't enough to make thing he's a MLS level striker. Regardless hope the rest of his career in Sweden or elsewhere is fruitful and super fulfilling, giving him all sorts of wonderful experiences thanks a bunch for reading!