Simon Hedlund

Elfsborg

Born in Trollhättan, Västra Götaland County, Hedlund joined the youth system of IF Elfsborg when he was 16 years old, after having played for hometown clubs IFK Trollhättan and FC Trollhättan. There, he made his professional debut on 12 August 2012 in a 4–1 league win over Malmö FF, coming on as a late substitute for Niklas Hult. At the end of the season, Elfsborg won the Swedish league title. He was also a part of the Elfsborg team that won the Swedish Cup in 2014. On 31 July 2014, Hedlund made his first goal in European competition, scoring on a penalty kick in the 89th minute in a 4–1 win over Icelandic club FH in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. During his time in Elfsborg, Hedlund made 93 league appearances in which he scored 14 goals. He also scored nine goals in 20 appearances in the Swedish Cup and made 17 total appearances in the Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

Union Berlin

On 29 August 2016, Hedlund signed a four-year contract with 2. Bundesliga club, 1. FC Union Berlin. The transfer made him the most expensive purchase by the club at the time. Hedlund made his debut on 21 September, as a substitute in an away game against Würzburger Kickers which Union won 1–0. He finished the 2016–17 season with 29 appearances in which he scored three goals. Hedlund missed just three league matches during the 2017–18 season as Union finished eighth in the league. However, the following season he saw less playing time, as Union…

Hedlund has represented Sweden as an international at various youth levels. On 9 January 2020, Hedlund made his debut for the Sweden national team in a friendly against Moldova, a match that ended in a 1–0 win for Sweden. In his second match, a 1–0 win over Kosovo on 12 January, Hedlund scored his first international goal, which secured the win for Sweden.

Hedlund has been described as a player with an "aggressive and direct playing style", who can play in multiple offensive positions. Renowned for his pace with and without the ball at his feet, Hedlund has described himself as a "hard worker", and was praised for evolving into a true team-player during his time at Brøndby by head coach Niels Frederiksen.

Hedlund is of Finnish descent through his Finnish mother. In June 2020, Hedlund married longtime girlfriend, Sandra Isabel, in Sweden.