FORMER Rovers defender Nils-Eric Johansson has been forced to retire from football because of what his club AIK says is a ‘deterioration of a previously documented deviation in the heart’.

The 38-year-old admits the decision ‘will take some time to handle’ but a statement by his club said the continuation of his career would have brought ‘significant risk for Nils-Eric Johansson's health’.

A congenital deviation in the heart is said to be something that Johansson, best known as Nisse, has had to manage throughout his career.

His last professional outing came back in November where he played his 371st and final match for AIK before agreeing a one year contract extension until December 2018.

Johansson spent time in Germany with Bayern Munich and Nurnberg before making the move to Ewood Park for a fee in the region of £2.7million in October 2001.

His Rovers debut came in a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at Ewood Park and he would net the first of his two Rovers goal the following month in a Worthington Cup win over Manchester City.

He was to play the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win over Tottenham in the final at the Millennium Stadium, one of 28 appearances in his debut season.

In total he would play 110 times for Rovers in all competitions before being released by Mark Hughes in the summer of 2005.

Johansson would stay in England, spending two seasons with Leicester City before returning to his native Sweden. 

On his retirement, he said: “Following the clear recommendation from the cardiologist who analysed the scan and then in conversation with family and leader in AIK, I would like to inform you that I finish my career immediately.

“The last few days have been very dazzling with mixed feelings, both sadness and joy. From preparing for this year's first match to questions about my future and health.

“This will take some time to handle, but with the help of my family, AIK and friends, I am sure something will be positive.”

Speaking of Rovers' Worthington Cup win previously to the Lancashire Telegraph, he said: “This is the highlight of my career without a doubt. It's amazing. Winning cups and playing in unbelievable stadiums like Cardiff is all part of football.

“I also thought the fans were amazing. They helped us a lot.”