[zudomiriku]

VICTOR LINDELOF

Birthdate : 17 Jul 1994
Birthplace : Vasteras, Sweden
Position : Centre-back / Right-back
Height: 6ft 2in
Joined United : 01 Jul 2017
Joined From : Benfica
International : Sweden

2010-2012 : Vasteras 41 games, 0 goals
2012-2016 : Benfica B 96 games, 4 goals
2013-2017 : Benfica 73 games, 2 goals
2016- : Sweden 12 games, 1 goal

Dealing with pressure is something that appears to come naturally to unflappable Swedish defender Victor Lindelof.

In June 2015, he was faced with an intensity that must have been new to him as he stepped forward to take a penalty in the European Under-21 Championship final shoot-out with Portugal, the country where he plied his trade with Benfica.

Abdul Khalili had missed Sweden's previous attempt at the Eden Arena in Prague and Joao Mario's conversion tied the scores at 3-3. Calmness personified, the defender beat Jose Sa and William Carvalho's failure from 12 yards ensured the Swedes could enjoy a notable first international triumph.

Lindelof had only been introduced to the squad as a late call-up but performed with distinction at right-back, earning a place in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. It helped provide added impetus to his club career as he forced his way into the senior Benfica side and enjoyed experience in the domestic top flight and Champions League.

Patience has been important for the Scandinavian, who burst into Vasteras' first team when only 16 years old. He helped his local side gain promotion but left when Benfica came calling in 2012. The Lisbon giants had seen his potential in Sweden's Under-16s and Under-17s and made their move.

Still only 17, Lindelof understandably had to wait for an opportunity and cut his teeth with the B team, going on to make 40 appearances in the Portuguese second tier and spending his first season there as a right-back. A move into a more central position confirmed his growing maturity as he was able to impress at centre-half and also in a holding midfield role.

A loan move to Middlesbrough was discussed last year but he instead became a valuable member of the Benfica defence and successfully fought for his place. Speaking with confidence, he had declared an intent to oust his older, more experienced colleagues and so it proved as he emerged as one of Europe's most promising young defenders.

International recognition with Sweden's senior team has naturally followed and, after starting all three games at Euro 2016, he scored his first goal at that level against Bulgaria in October 2016. Although his primary focus is defending, he also grabbed an important equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon in April with a wonderful free-kick past Rui Patricio.

Winning trophies has become something of a habit for the Swedish stopper as he has three Portuguese league titles to his name, in addition to two Portuguese Cups, one League Cup and one Super Cup. This is without mentioning that European Under-21 Championship medal, of course.

Lindelof, approaching his 23rd birthday, appears ready to take this next big step in his career. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had identified his fellow countryman as an emerging leader last Christmas, telling reporters: "He is growing and has a lot of responsibility with the national team now."

And there is plenty to admire about the Sweden team at present. The 2-1 victory over France, at the scene of United's Europa League success against Ajax in Stockholm, took Janne Andersson's side to the top of Group A in the World Cup qualifiers. As the Netherlands are back in third place, it is a measure of the progress being made by the Scandinavian country and the prospect of a real upset in terms of clinching an automatic spot in Russia next year cannot be dismissed.

For now, the composed centre-back will be focusing on adapting to life at United after signing a four-year deal with the option of a further year, to start on 1 July. In 2016, Jose Mourinho's first summer signing was also a defender with much promise in Eric Bailly. If Lindelof can enjoy a debut campaign as successful as the Ivory Coast international's first year in Manchester, everybody will be delighted.