Loss of Freddie Vestberg at Sheffield Steelers offset by capture of '˜younger' version Markus Nilsson

Skilled Swede Fredrik Vestberg won't be returning to Sheffield Steelers next season. Picture Dean Woolley.

Family commitments mean that Vestberg – who contributed 15 goals in a 47-point haul as Steelers landed a fifth Elite League title last season – will remain in Sweden, where he had spent his entire career save for his all-too-brief spell in South Yorkshire.

But in a bid to fill the gap left by Vestberg’s absence, Thompson has responded by bringing in another Swede in the shape of centre Markus Nilsson.

At 25, Thompson believes he has landed an equally skilful, yet younger version of Vestberg as well somebody he knows well, Nilsson having played under the Steelers’ boss when he was in charge at Troja Llungby in 2013-14.

Markus Nilsson will fill the gap left by Freddie Vestberg's departure, according to Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson.

“It is a blow for us that Freddie is staying in Sweden, because we wanted him back - he made a huge impact here,” said Thompson.

“But Jerry (Andersson - Steelers’ new assistant coach) and I spoke about what we needed, we talked about Markus and agreed he would be perfect for us.

“He has an incredible work ethic and is highly skilled. Markus is younger than Freddie and I feel this is a perfect fit for both club and player.”