A 1990s Ballon d'Or contender has undergone a dramatic career change and is now earning millions by selling vacuum cleaners.

The former midfielder quit football at just 28 in 1998 and after meeting Swedish inventor Gordan Edlund, he decided to invest in his vacuum cleaners.

He is now a 50 per cent partner in one of Sweden's most popular brands, Twinner, which brings in millions of pounds.

The ex-footballer in question is Sweden's Tomas Brolin, who is unrecognisable from his playing days.

Brolin sported a mullet for part of his career and was clean-shaven, but has since chopped off some of his locks and grown facial hair.

This former footballer (pictured) finished joint-fourth in the Ballon d'Or vote in 1994

He is unrecognisable from his playing days when he was once one of the best footballers on the planet

The player in question is Sweden's Tomas Brolin who is now making millions selling vacuum cleaners

Brolin, now 53, was recognised as one of the best players in the world in 1994 when he finished joint-fourth alongside Romanian icon Gheorghe Hagi in the Ballon d'Or.

That year's award was won by Bulgaria and Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov, with Italian duo Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini completing the podium.

He achieved the ranking after enjoying a stellar World Cup as he helped Sweden to third place, scoring three goals in the tournament.

Brolin is a name many English fans are likely to remember after he scored the goal that knocked Graham Taylor's men out of Euro 1992.

Brolin sported a mullet and was clean-shaven when he scored the goal to knock England out of Euro 1992

His best club days came at Parma, but he also played for Leeds and Crystal Palace

His best club days came at Parma, but he moved to England in 1995, playing for Leeds for two years before having a brief spell at Crystal Palace.

Brolin announced his retirement at just 28 - the prime age for most footballers - but declared that he had no regrets as he had 'done a lot'.

He has kept himself busy post-retirement, trying his hand as a professional poker player and playing in the World Series of Poker on multiple occasions.

Now he has turned to selling vacuums with his fellow countryman Edlund, and the venture is serving him well so far.  

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