Swedish legend Kurt Hamrin has died at the age of 89

Kurt Hamrin, Sweden’s World Cup finalist and Fiorentina’s all-time leading scorer, has died aged 89.

The late, nicknamed ‘Little Bird’ for his speed and skill, helped Sweden reach the 1958 World Cup final with four goals in the tournament and was the last player to survive the final, which the Sweden lost 5-2 to Pele’s Brazil.

“One of the biggest icons of Swedish football has left us. Rest in peace Kurt Hamrin“, said the Swedish federation. “He was a legend at both AIK and Fiorentina for his efforts at the clubs. Thank you Kurt for all the blue and yellow memories you have been a part of for so many, rest in peace».

Hamrin started his career at AIK in Sweden, but is best remembered for his time in Italy’s Serie A with Juventus, Padua, Fiorentina, Milan and Napoli, and is ninth in the league’s all-time goalscoring list with 190 goal.

He spent eight seasons at Fiorentina, helping them to the 1961 Cup Winners’ Cup, their only major European trophy, and is the club’s top scorer with 208 goals.

Although Hamrin later played for Milan, winning the Scudetto and a Champions Cup, and ended his career back in Sweden, he returned to Florence to live with his family, where he died at home in the city he adored.

En av svensk fotbolls storsta ikoner har lamnat oss. Vila i frid Kurt “Kurre” Hamrin. ???

“Kurre” Hamrin var en stor faktor till Sveriges VM-silver 1958. Han ar en legend i bade AIK och Fiorentina for sina satser i klubbarna.

Vara tankar gar till Kurts familj och vanner.
Thanks… pic.twitter.com/ql9qivlEjM

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) February 4, 2024