Arvid Öhgren has been struggling with a series of injuries, which has significantly limited his training.
It was on December 14, 2023, that Arvid Öhgren was involved in a workplace accident at Northvolt. While building a wind shelter, a forklift frame fell over him and a colleague, causing extensive injuries.
His colleague tragically died, and Öhgren, then 22, lost his left arm.
When Norran met Öhgren shortly after the accident,he spoke of football and his Bureå IF teammates – how several players visited him on the very day of the accident, and his desire to return to the field as soon as possible.
Now, 573 days later, he has done just that, wearing number 18.
During the preseason, Öhgren played in two fridnlies, and when Bureå IF had their season opener at Tallbacka on Sunday, he came on as a sub in the second half.
– It’s fun to play, he says.
The score was 0–0 at halftime against Mariehem. However, a few disastrous minutes for Bureå, when Mariehem scored twice, changed everything, and Arvid got the opportunity to play in a competitive match for the first time since October 1, 2023.
How significant is the difference between playing with one arm and two?
– There’s pretty much no difference; it’s just a bit harder to hold people off. The main difference now is my lack of fitness.
He's been medically cleared to train for some time, but the issue isn't the duration of his training; it's the volume.
– I’ve had so many injuries, he explains.
What have you been dealing with?
– It’s been strained hamstrings, sprained ankles, broken collarbones, the lot.
Could it be because you tried to return too soon?
– Possibly, or maybe I’m just getting old.
When we met you weeks after the accident, you said you wanted to play again. What made you feel that way even then?
– Playing football is fun, that’s all.
Mariehem’s goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the season opener.
Arvid Öhgren has played two friendly matches ahead of the season, but Sunday’s appearance was his first competitive match since October 2023.
Arvid Öhgren reopened a previous wound and was forced to temporarily leave the field to have his leg bandaged.
On site in Bureå this Sunday afternoon, to write a report for Sportbladet about Arvid Öhgren , was former national team player Pontus Wernbloom.
– His zest for life is amazing to see. It’s incredible that a guy from Bureå can inspire others across the country, he says.