Sweden striker Henrik Larsson decided to leave Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer. The former Celtic frontman has signed an 18-month contract with Helsingborg, his home town club-side, Swedish television said on Thursday.

34-year-old Larsson said: "I am a Helsingborg man from the beginning. For me there was no other alternative," Larsson was quoted on Swedish television channel SVT.

It was said that Larsson confirmed last month that he would leave the Spanish Primera Liga champions at the end of this season.

Larsson moved to Barcelona from Celtic in 2004, was side-lined for most of last season with a serious knee injury, and has been starting most games on the bench for the Catalan side, with Samuel Eto'o the first-choice striker.

Helsingborg have called a news conference for 1600 GMT to announce the move.

Larsson came out of international retirement to help Sweden qualify for this year's World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group B in the finals, and will face England, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati