IFK Ystad is where Gottfridsson's career began, coming through the youth system before spending two seasons in the senior side at the second-tier club, before moving across town to one of the giants of the Handbollsligan, Ystads IF. Despite being still just 33 years old, the centre-back believes the time is right for a homecoming.
"I have received many great offers from top clubs in Sweden, Denmark and Germany. I am both proud and grateful for that. But when the opportunity to come home to IFK Ystad became a reality, the decision felt absolutely right," Gottfridsson told the club website.
"This is the club where everything began and this is where I want to write the next chapter in my career. To be able to wear the red shirt again means an incredible amount," he added.
As recently as Friday 17th July, it was reported that the Swede had resolved a dispute with Pick Szeged, who cancelled his contract in April, something Gottfridsson claimed the Hungarian side did without consulting him.
Regardless of the situation with Szeged, Gottfridsson has put that behind him by returning home. Yet, it is still an unusual step for the runner-up for the 2021 IHF World Player of the Year award, former European champion and EHF Champions League winner.
He appears to have lost none of the determination that took him to those titles: "I want to win matches, contribute with my experiences and help IFK Ystad return to where the club belongs."
Sweden selection still open
Playing in the handball Allsvenskan will not close Gottfridsson's route to being selected for the Sweden national team, judging by the words of Blagult head coach, Michael Apelgren.
"We don't want to paint ourselves into a corner where we say 'if you play in the Allsvenskan you can't play in the national team.' When we select a squad, we look at the overall picture, who you're competing with, what the performances have been like and what we as a team need."
Gottfridsson was most-recently selected for Sweden in May, when the issues with Szeged had already begun, and spoke of his desire to represent Sweden at the 2028 Olympics, something Apelgren is keeping in mind.
"He has always declared that he is always ready for Sweden if given the opportunity...Our task is to select the squad that we believe is best suited to winning medals," he stated.
