Blackburn Rovers had hoped they had uncovered a shot-stopping gem and some new competition for Aynsley Pears in the form of Swedish prospect Wahlstedt.
He came in for a fee of around €1m in the summer of 2023, signing from Norwegian club Odd. The 25-year-old had already been involved in the Sweden national team’s squad and looked primed and ready for a shot in the Championship.
However, after starting out behind Pears in the pecking order, Wahlstedt struggled to impress when he came in. 25 appearances yielded only four clean sheets and on the whole, performances were unconvincing. As such. Pears reclaimed his starting spot swiftly when back from injury.
And, earlier this summer, it quickly became clear that Blackburn Rovers were willing to part ways with Wahlstedt. He made an early move back to Scandinavia with Danish side Aarhus GF, who paid around €1m to ensure the Championship club recouped the money from their failed buy.
Back closer to home, it had been hoped Wahlstedt could find form and regular starts again, but that has not proven to be the case.
Early struggles
Wahlstedt is still waiting on his senior debut for Aarhus with seven games of the Superliga season played.
The former Blackburn Rovers ‘keeper has remained an unused substitute in every match thus far. He is currently behind 39-year-old veteran Jesper Hansen in the pecking order with the Danish club.
Wahlstedt’s only outing has come in the Future Cup with the Aarhus reserves. He played all 90 minutes as his side were beaten 3-2 by Viborg FF’s second string side.
The Stockholm native is on a five-year deal with the club and as the current number two, he’ll be hopeful of claiming that starting spot further down the line. It will be hoped that date isn’t too far away with current incumbent Jensen and out of contract next summer.
Rovers’ new man
Blackburn Rovers were in need of a new ‘keeper to cover for and compete with Pears in the wake of Wahlstedt’s sale and after numerous links, they got their man late on.
Hungarian shot-stopper Balazs Toth is now on the books at Ewood Park. He impressed in his native with Fehervar and will be hoping to usurp Pears as John Eustace’s go-to man in between the sticks.
Also on the books are Joe Hilton and Jack Barrett, who are likely to remain third and fourth choice.
Barrett came in on a free transfer earlier in the summer following the end of his contract with Everton. Hilton has made his way through the youth ranks but has found most of his senior opportunities in short-term non-league loans.
