Hjalmar Ekdal is a Swedish footballer born on 21 October 1998 in Stockholm. He plays as a centre-back for the English club Burnley and the Sweden national team. Ekdal developed through the youth ranks of IF Brommapojkarna before embarking on a professional career that has taken him from Swedish leagues to the English Championship and Premier League, as well as a loan spell in the Netherlands. He made his senior international debut for Sweden in 2022 and has since been a part of the national team. ## What happened? Hjalmar Ekdal has two older brothers, Joel and Albin, who both have a strong connection to football. Joel, the eldest, chose to play floorball instead of football and has been a supportive family member to his brothers' achievements. Albin, born on 28 July 1989, is a former professional footballer and Sweden international who had a long career primarily as a defensive midfielder. He developed through Brommapojkarna, moved early to Italy with Juventus, and later played for clubs including Siena, Bologna, Cagliari, Hamburg in the Bundesliga, Sampdoria, and Spezia, amassing over 300 Serie A appearances and earning around 70 caps for Sweden between 2011 and 2023, including appearances at major tournaments. ## Why is it important for IF Brommapojkarna? Hjalmar Ekdal's career has been a part of IF Brommapojkarna's history, and his successes are an example of how the club can develop talents. ## What happens now? Hjalmar Ekdal continues to play for Burnley in the Premier League and has already helped his team win the EFL Championship. He has also become a part of the Sweden national team and has made several international appearances. In their next match, Burnley will face Djurgårdens IF at home on 18 October 2026, and Hjalmar Ekdal will be one of the players who will help decide the match's outcome. IF Brommapojkarna are currently 10th in the Allsvenskan table with 21 points, 5 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses from 17 matches, and have a goal difference of -2. In the title race, they are 21 points behind the leaders Sirius. Their next match is at home against Djurgårdens IF on 18 October 2026.