'I was British record transfer and nearly won Ballon d'Or - now I sell vacuum cleaners'

When Tomas Brolin ended up fourth in the 1994 Ballon d'Or, hardly anyone could have predicted that just four years later he would be marketing vacuum cleaner accessories. Yet, true to his nature, the Swede stayed as unpredictable off the field as he had been on it. Once seemingly destined to be one of Scandinavia's greatest footballers, Brolin hung up his boots at just 28 after years of struggling with injuries, weight fluctuations, and declining motivation.

Despite a record-breaking transfer to Leeds United in 1995 - which made him the most expensive foreign player in British football at the time at £4.5million - his career faded far earlier than anticipated. However, it was his entrepreneurial instincts, rather than his footballing ability, that defined his life after leaving the pitch. He collaborated with Swedish inventor Goran Edlund to create a new vacuum cleaner nozzle - one that was lighter, more efficient and easier to maintain than existing models. Since then, the now 55-year-old has diversified into footwear manufacturing, property ventures, and even professional poker.

While many ex-footballers struggle to adjust to ordinary life after retirement, Brolin embraced it. "I was really tired of training every day and had other projects on my mind," he told La Gazetta dello Sport. "I've always been very curious. I needed something more. My mind was looking for new experiences, and being an entrepreneur helped me.

"I had a new idea for a new type of vacuum cleaner. I was literally drawn in and founded a company. It was that drive that made me never want to go back.

"Back then, everyone told me that 28 was too early to retire, but I replied, 'It depends on what you've done in those 28 years.' I had already achieved a lot. I came fourth in the Ballon d'Or. Life is too short to do boring things. I don't do things I don't enjoy."

At his peak, Brolin was one of the most electrifying playmakers in the world. A creative enigma with an eye for goal, he impressed team-mates and opponents alike with his dribbling, passing vision, and thunderous shot.

Many England supporters remember him for the decisive goal that eliminated Graham Taylor's side from Euro 1992. Brolin started his career in Sweden before a pivotal transfer to Parma in 1990. There, he played alongside Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and a rising generation of Italian stars including Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro and Filippo Inzaghi.

Over five years in Italy, he helped Parma secure the UEFA Cup, the European Super Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup and the Coppa Italia. On the international front, he played a key role in Sweden achieving third place at the 1994 World Cup. Later that year, he finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or, tied on points with Gheorghe Hagi and behind only Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, and winner Hristo Stoichkov, who would later become his team-mate at Parma.

In 1995, Brolin's move to Leeds was hailed as a huge signing for the Yorkshire club. Yet he failed to live up to expectations. Previous injuries resurfaced, and a tense relationship with manager Howard Wilkinson - who deployed him out of position on the wing - made his time at Elland Road difficult.

Matters worsened in 1996 after an April Fools' joke backfired. Brolin jokingly told Swedish TV he was returning to IFK Norrköping, but when the claim was taken seriously by multiple international media outlets, Wilkinson was furious. Soon after, Brolin went on loan to FC Zürich.

Later that year, he returned to Parma on loan under Carlo Ancelotti, joining emerging stars like Alessandro Nesta, Hernan Crespo, and Lilian Thuram, before moving permanently to Crystal Palace in 1997.

His spell at Selhurst Park was disastrous. Plagued by recurring injuries and persistent weight issues, Brolin left after just one season without scoring a goal. A few months later, at only 28, he retired from professional football permanently.

Despite the turbulent end to his career, Brolin has no regrets about leaving the game. "I discovered a new world, learned a trade, and challenged myself again," he said.

"Now, when I think about it, I come to the conclusion that I've always wanted to improve myself in every aspect. I did it with football, I did it with business. It [football] was fun when I was a child and a job when I got a little older... Life is too short not to have fun."