Anton Tinnerholm knows a little something about winning.
At the club level, he won the Swedish Allsvenskan with Malmö FF three times in the last four years, while earning the league's Defensive Player of the Year honor just prior to signing for City.
IN THE NEWS: Signings, Trades, and Offseason Rumors
He's got 24 UEFA Champions League matches and seven international caps with Sweden under his belt, and now he's ready to bring that pedigree across the Atlantic.
“I wanted a new challenge for me, and I’m looking forward to new adventures," said the fullback.
"It seems to me that New York City is a great opportunity for me to show myself and do what I can to help the club to write their place in the history books.”
GOAL OF THE DAY: Ballouchy vs. Seattle
The 26-year-old is a player who Patrick Vieira thinks can help New York City reach the next level. Of course, both men know what it takes to win titles, and it seems that their ambitions line up perfectly. So too, it seems, do their visions for just where Tinnerholm will fit in at the Club next season.
“When I heard they were interested, I really wanted to go to New York City," said Tinnerholm.
"I talked a bit with Patrick, and they have ambitions to go and win the title, and I’m a player who wants to compete on a top team."
"Of course, it’s tempting to get to work with Patrick," admitted the Swedish international about his new coach.
"I talked to him and he really wanted me, and I saw this was a big opportunity for me this year. I know what it will take to be one of the best players, and I heard very good things about him, also.
"I think I can develop a lot with him as a coach, so I’m really, really looking forward to next season."
WATCH: All of David Villa's Goals and Assists
As noted by Vieira, Tinnerholm is a player with a competitive streak who can get up and down the field and provide an extra level of flexibility to the back line. Anton himself still believes he's better at defending than attacking, though he admits adding more offensive capabilities to his game has helped him reached the next level as a player.
“I’m a right back who is very offensive," explained the new signing.
"My biggest strength is in defense, but last year I got a little more into the offensive part of the game. I run a lot during the game, and that’s one of my best assets.
"I love to win and I hate to lose.”
