Kennedy Bakırcıoğlu

Assyriska

Bakircioglu started his professional career with Assyriska, making his senior debut in 1996 at age 15. He would soon establish himself as a regular starter in Division 1, by then in the Swedish second tier, despite his young age. In 1998, Bakircioglu saw a major breakthrough in his senior career and scored nine goals whilst also providing eight assists, in 25 league games. He had a trial with Manchester United during the winter of that year, but did not impress enough to secure a contract with the English team.

Hammarby

Before the start of 1999, Bakircioglu transferred to Hammarby in Allsvenskan. He scored his first competitive goal for the Stockholm-based side on 1 July the same year, in a 3–0 home win against IFK Norrköping. He quickly became a fan favourite at his new club, and ended the season playing 25 league matches, scoring twice. On 4 July 1999, Bakircioglu made his continental debut in the second round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup, a 4–0 home victory over Gomel. In the away leg, he scored a brace to help to a 2–2 draw and subsequent qualification. At the end of the year, he was voted "Allsvenskan newcomer of the year". During the 2000 campaign, Bakircioglu was a key player in manager Sören Cratz's squad, playing as attacking midfielder behind the strikers. He made 26 league appearances and netted five times, but the side finished eighth. In 2001, Bakircioglu scored eight goals in 26 games to lead the team to their first-ever national…

Bakircioglu made over 40 appearances for Sweden at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, before making his full debut on 20 November 2003 in a friendly against the Czech Republic. He appeared in three UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying games in 2007, but did not make the squad for the final tournament. Bakircioglu played his 14th and last international match on 26 May 2008, in a friendly with Slovenia.

Club

International

Bakircioglu's family are ethnic Assyrians, followers of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The family arrived in Sweden in 1972 from Midyat, Turkey. Born in Södertälje, Bakircioglu was named after the former United States president John F. Kennedy. His father Benjamin was one of the first to play for newly founded Assyriska FF, a club established by the Assyrian diaspora, going on to become its record goal scorer.