Ivo Pękalski

Early career

Born and raised in Lund, Pękalski began his career with Linero IF and has also played for Lunds BK. After few years with the club, he was bought by Landskrona BoIS in December 2005. While progressing through his career at Landskrona BoIS, Pękalski was linked with a move to Premier League side Liverpool and was offered to join the club. However, he rejected a move to Liverpool, preferring to stay at Landskrona BoIS. Soon after, Pękalski was promoted to Landskrona BoIS’ first team ahead of the 2007 season. Shortly after, he then signed a three–year contract with the club. Pękalski made his debut for Landskrona BoIS on 23 April 2007 against IF Sylvia, starting a match and played 75 minutes before being substituted, in a 0–0 draw. In follow–up match, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Gefle. His second goal for Landskrona BoIS came on 8 July 2007, in a 4–2 win against Åtvidaberg. Following this, Pękalski quickly established himself in the first team for the club, playing in the midfield position. At the end of the 2007 season, he went on to make twenty–nine appearances and scoring times in all competitions. The first two months to the 2008 season saw Pękalski continue to feature in and out of the starting line–up for Landskrona BoIS. It wasn't until on 25 August 2008 when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Jönköpings Södra. However, Pękalski suffered an injury that saw him sidelined for the rest of the 2008…

Pękalski is eligible to play for Poland or Sweden. At one point, Poland tried to convince him to play for the national team and even tried to call him up in August, but he refused to respond to questions about his choice of nationality by the Swedish media. In December 2011, Pękalski ended up making a decision by choosing to represent Sweden.

Youth career

In August 2005, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U15 squad for the first time and he went on to make three appearances for the U15 side. In February 2006, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U16 squad for the first time and he went on to make two appearances for the U16 side. In August 2006, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U17 for the first time and went on to make six appearances for the U17 side. In February 2008, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U18 squad for the first time and he went on to make two appearances for the U18 side. In February 2009, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U19 squad for the first time and he went on to make five appearances for the U19 side. On two occasions, Pękalski was called up to the Sweden U21. It wasn't until on 11 August 2010 when he made his U21 debut, starting a match and played 68 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–1 draw against Scotland U21. Pękalski went on to make five appearances for Sweden U21.

Senior career

Pękalski was selected for the annual training camp for the Sweden national team in January 2011, but withdrew due to minor injury…

Club

As of match played 10 November 2018

International

Pękalski's parents are from Rzeszów, Poland. His father, Roman Pękalski, coached him until he was 14. He has a brother, Phillip, 12 years younger. Because of his parents’ nationality, Pękalski has a Polish passport, making him a dual citizen for Poland and Sweden. During his time at Malmö FF, Pękalski earned a nickname called "King Ivo", due to his always calm and controlled – preferably also reasonably angry. In February 2017, he spoke about mental health, dealing with his struggles as a footballer.