Albin Ekdal



D.O.B: 28/07/89 in Bromma, Sweden
Position: Attacking midfielder
Squad number:
Nationality: Swedish
Height: 1.86m (6'2")
Weight: 75kg
Nickname(s):

Serie A debut -

2006/07 Brommapojkarna B 15 -
2007/08 Brommapojkarna A 5 -
2008-09 Juventus A 3 -
2009-10 Siena A 26 1
2010-11 Bologna A 22 1
2011-12 Cagliari A

Honours -

Swedish attacking midfielder Albin Ekdal was born on July 28 1989 and has already played 4 seasons at Brommapojkarna in the Swedish League – 2 in the youth teams and 2 in the first team – and is a first-team regular in the Swedish Under 19 national team, where he has collected 5 caps and one goal up until now.

On May 23 2008 he signed an official 4-year contract with Juventus, joining the club for €0.6m. It is expected he will play mainly with the Primavera side but will also train with the first team squad and be at the dispensation of coach Ranieri.

New kid on the block

Albin Ekdal could be the real surprise for Juventus this season.

The Swede, who only turns 19 on July 28th made his debut in Europe this week in the friendly against Bronby and instantly caught the eye with his passing ability and neat touch.

The midfielder received some well deserved compliments after the game but was quick to play down his performance.

He said: "I played well? I am not satisfied, I still must improve a lot."

Chelsea had shown an interest in signing the Stockholm-born man some two years ago but they were turned down by the player himself because he wanted to continue his studies.

He added: "Personally I have never regretted my choice, for me it is fundamental to know that I can do something else in my life.

"Playing and living in Italy is fantastic, that is also why I refused to move to England at the time."

Ekdal was plucked from Swedish team Brommapojkarna last December for a fee of 600,000 euro and now the elegant player could well cause coach Claudio Ranieri a selection headache.

The 56-year-old had some encouraging words for the teenager: "It is a pleasure to train him, the youngster is demonstrating a lot of personality and I am very happy with him."

It remains to be seen now whether the former Parma and Chelsea boss will keep him in the first team alongside the likes of Alex Del Piero and Pavel Nedved where he will certainly learn and improve but also runs the risk of not playing very often or whether he will be sent out on loan to notch up more playing time.

http://www.seriea.tv/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2448

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He will probably be back in the pecking order, but he has done very well so far and has good size for an attacking midfielder, very good at passing.

Any chance of seeing him get called into the first team. Trez will be out until the new year so we are one striker down. Even if its just for Coppa Italia games it will be nice to see what this kid can do.

Well he is an attacking midfielder so probably not He will play Coppa I think, he impressed in pre season tbh and in training.

2008-09 Serie A stats

Games / Minutes: 3 / 90
Goals: 0
Shots / off target / saved: 0 / 9 / 0
Assists / Completed: 1 / 0
Crosses / Successful: 0 / 0
Passes / Successful: 43 / 38
Interceptions / Successful: 0 / 0
Tackles / Won: 1 / 0
Balls stolen: 4
Challenges / Won: 3 / 1
Offsides: 0
Fouls: 6
Fouls suffered: 1
Cautions: 1
Expulsions: 0

He has joined Siena on loan. He is far right on their official presentation, Michele Paolucci who is co-owned from Juve is third right.

Good luck next year Albin! I think he has a good chance to play as Siena have sold Kharja and Galloppa.

He scored against Inter yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvVNpvKeTE



Shame they weren't allowed to win the game but there you go. He was also impressive in his all round game, he is a strong runner with the ball and has a good pass on him and shot.

He was also impressive when Siena played Juve, and has done well this season. We can defenitely use him next year, I think the lad has what it takes to do well for himself

Pieces of an Ekdal interview with Aftonbladet, made after the Inter game:

- I'm surprised over how damn poor Inter were.

- The result is very difficult to swallow. And completely unfair.

- We were better than Inter. They didn't have a single chance in the second half. Sneijder's FK was wrongly awarded too... though I don't want to blame the referee.

What surprised you the most?

- They were really poor and their defence gave away every second pass.

- It's damn fun to have scored my first goal, but I'd rather have won the game.

Was it hard seeing Mourinho celebrate after the game?

- He should be disappointed, they were outplayed by the last-placed team.

Next week, Siena and Ekdal return to San Siro to play Milan.

- I feel I will start in that game. But right now, I'm just really pissed off.

Thanks to Sadomin.

Going to Bologna at the end of July, co-ownership. About €3m for the half, good deal.

liking him more hope he can do well and come back to rock the midfield!

He's been sold to Bologna for €4.8m, with Juve immediately buying half back for €2.4m, with Bologna registering him for the forthcoming season.

I like this lad, he just needs to improve his defensive awareness but could be good with another season behind him.

A season at Bologna would be good experience for him, is it just me, or are Bologna being fairly ambitious in the transfer market this year?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBZ7EYD_TU4

Scored today for Bologna.

He's gone to Cagliari now, co-ownership, fee undisclosed so far.