Hjalmar Ekdal

Early career

Ekdal was born in Stockholm and started to play football with IF Brommapojkarna as a youngster. In 2017, he left to club to study in the United States and play college soccer for UNC Wilmington Seahawks. While in the US, he played in 20 games and scored two goals as the Seahawks reached the final of the 2017 CAA Men's Soccer Tournament before losing 4–2 to William & Mary Tribe.

IK Frej

In May 2018, Ekdal returned to his native country and signed a two-year deal with IK Frej in Superettan, Sweden's second tier. He played 15 league games throughout the year, scoring once, as the club finished 9th in the table. Ekdal also made one appearance out on loan with Assyriska FF in Division 1, the third tier. In 2019, Ekdal had a major breakthrough and established himself in the starting eleven at IK Frej. He played all 30 league games in Superettan during the season, scoring twice, but was unable to save the club from relegation.

Hammarby IF

On 19 July 2019, Ekdal transferred to Hammarby IF in Allsvenskan, signing a two-year deal. It was also announced that he would remain eligible for affiliated club IK Frej for the rest of the season. On 3 March 2020, Ekdal was sent on loan to fellow Allsvenskan club IK Sirius for the remainder of the season.

Djurgårdens IF

On 4 January 2021, Ekdal joined Djurgårdens IF on a four-year contract. He was named the Allsvenskan player of the month for the month of September 2021.

Burnley

On 21…

Youth

Ekdal was called up to the Sweden under-19 national team in October 2018, and featured in two friendlies against Denmark (3–1 win) and Russia (1–1 draw) the same month. He was called up to the Sweden U21 team for the first time on 26 August 2020.

Senior

Ekdal was called up to the Sweden national team for the first time on 1 December 2021, for two friendlies against Finland in January 2022. However, the friendlies were cancelled two weeks later because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ekdal was once again called up to the national team on 18 May 2022, for Sweden's 2022–23 UEFA Nations League games against Slovenia, Norway, and Serbia in June 2022. He made his full international debut for Sweden on 9 June 2022 in the UEFA Nations League game against Serbia, playing the full 90 minutes at centre back in a 1–0 loss. On 12 May 2026, Ekdal was named in the Sweden squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Club

As of match played 8 September 2026

International

As of match played 4 June 2026

He is the son of television host Lennart Ekdal and the younger brother of retired footballer Albin Ekdal, who previously played in the Allsvenskan, Serie A and Bundesliga, as well as representing the Sweden national team at senior level from 2011 to 2023.