Hans Eskilsson

Early years and Portugal

Eskilsson was born in Östersund, Jämtland County. After starting in the lower leagues with local IFK Östersund, he moved in 1985 to the top division with IFK Norrköping, then competed in the 1988 season with fellow league side Hammarby IF. Eskilsson moved to Portugal at the age of 22, joining Sporting CP as an electoral asset of future president Jorge Gonçalves: during the better part of the following three seasons in the country – with a brief spell in his country with AIK Fotboll in between– he only scored three goals for as many teams, also representing S.C. Braga and G.D. Estoril Praia.

Hammarby IF and Hearts

In 1992 Eskilsson returned to former club Hammarby, netting 40 goals in his first two campaigns combined and promoting to the top level in the second. In early November 1995, after a short stint at Solna-based Vasalunds IF, he moved to Scotland to play for Heart of Midlothian in the Premier Division, being sparingly played during the season and being released as his contract was not renewed. Aged 30, Eskilsson joined Hammarby for a third spell in 1996, finding the side in the second tier and again helping it achieve promotion. He also began featuring regularly as a central defender, forming an efficient partnership with Pétur Marteinsson; late into his final stint, however, he suffered a severe leg injury after a two-footed challenge by Daniel Hoch in a derby game against AIK, having to retire from professional football.

Eskilsson gained eight caps for Sweden during two years, his debut coming in 1988. Also in that year, he played Olympic football in Seoul, appearing in two matches for the eventual quarter-finalists.

International

International goals

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first.