Brentford captain Pontus Jansson will leave at the end of the season and appears to have already played his last match for the club after suffering a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old Swedish defender, who limped off early on against Newcastle United last weekend, is not expected to play again this campaign and has announced that he will join his boyhood club Malmo - whom he joined at the age of 15 - when his contract expires this summer.
Thank you for everything, Pontus ❤🤍
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 14, 2023
After four hugely successful years as captain, @Pjansson5 will join Malmo FF this summer
“It is tough to put these last four years into words,” Jansson told the club's official website. “I am so thankful for my time here and the journey that the club and I have been on.
“When I joined, we were a middle-of-the-Championship club and now I’m leaving a club that’s hopefully about to finish top 10 in the Premier League. I’ve been on a massive personal journey as well. I matured into a captain, and a leader, because of this club.
“The Brentford fans took me into their hearts from day one and the love has only grown between us. I wanted to play every game between now and the end of the season to finish on a high, but injury means that is not possible.
“As sad as it is to think that I’ve played my final game in red and white, I have so much pride looking back on my time here. I know I am leaving the club in good hands to continue on this wonderful journey.”
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened 🐝 pic.twitter.com/HXQz4eSg0j
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 14, 2023
Jansson has made 115 appearances for Brentford, and played in 37 of their 38 matches during last season’s debut Premier League campaign.
Head coach Thomas Frank said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Pontus over the last four years.
“He came in and was a big part of the reason why we could, straight away, compete for Premier League promotion; he helped us become one of the best defences in the Championship that year.
“I know it was a big dream for Pontus to play in the Premier League and he probably played his best season that first year in the Premier League.
“He’s given so much to the club and the team. I wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
