Hjalmar Ekdal

Swedish centre-back who won the Allsvenskan Defender of the Year award in 2021 at Djurgårdens IF before moving to Burnley, where he earned two Player of the Season awards.

Ekdal began his career at IK Frej in 2018 and progressed through several Swedish clubs before breaking out at Djurgårdens IF (2021–2023), winning the Allsvenskan Defender of the Year award in 2021. Burnley signed him in January 2023 and he scored on his debut.

He made his Sweden senior debut in June 2022 and has earned 13 caps. He was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.