Background
Ekdal turned down offers from other clubs including Chelsea and Inter when he was just 16 and 17 years old because his father, the journalist Lennart Ekdal, said he had to finish high school first.
Ekdal turned down offers from other clubs including Chelsea and Inter when he was just 16 and 17 years old because his father, the journalist Lennart Ekdal, said he had to finish high school first.
Brommapojkarna
Albin Ekdal started his professional playing career with Brommapojkarna at the beginning of the 2007 Allsvenskan season. He played mainly as a right winger but also as an attacking midfielder or right midfielder. Juventus
On May 23, 2008, he signed an official four-year contract with Juventus F.C.
Ekdal made his Serie A debut on October 18, 2008 in the 1–2 defeat against Napoli when he came on as a substitute in the 75th minute, replacing Christian Poulsen.
Siena
On July 15, 2009 A.C. (before Christ) Siena signed Ekdal on loan from Juventus F.C. for a season. In his lone season with the club, Ekdal was very impressive, making 27 appearances with 1 goal, although this was not enough to save the club from relegation.
He was called up to end season friendly tour in the United States from Juventus and call-up to pre-season camp on 1 July. Bologna
On June 28, 2010 Juventus F.C. sold 50% of their shares in Ekdal to Bologna.
Before each season the two clubs need to come to terms in what club he will play that season.
He quickly established himself as a starter for the club Cagliari
On 24 June, he returned to Juventus as they beat Bologna in the blind auction. But on August 21, 2011 he was sold in a co-ownership deal to fellow Serie A club Cagliari Calcio.
Hamburger SV
On 18 July 2015, German club Hamburg signed Ekdal from Cagliari on a 4-year deal for €4.5 Million which will earn him €600.000 per season.
He was given the number 20 shirt. Ekdal made his debut for Sweden on 10 August 2011 in a friendly game against Ukraine.
He is the son of Lennart Ekdal, an award-winning Swedish journalist, television personality and newscaster known for his work for the newspaper Dagens Nyheter and the financial magazine Veckans Affärer, as well as hosting television shows such as Kalla fakta, Halvtid för Reinfeldt, Kvällsöppet medical Ekdal & Hakelius and Hetluft. Ekdal is since his childhood a Djurgårdens IF supporter and could consider a move to the Stockholm-based club after his career abroad.