Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, and Middlesbrough are among several clubs vying for the signature of Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal.
According to a report from Swedish outlet Expressen, the Championship trio have all made contact with the Clarets regarding a potential move for the 26-year-old centre-back. The January transfer window represents the last opportunity for clubs to bolster their squads before the season’s conclusion. With the window closing on February 3rd, QPR, Stoke City, and Middlesbrough are looking to secure defensive reinforcements, and Ekdal has emerged as a prime target.
Interest from Across Europe
It’s not just English clubs chasing Ekdal’s signature. Scottish Premiership giants Rangers and several European teams, including Sampdoria, Empoli, Brescia, and Groningen, have also expressed interest. Burnley are reportedly open to letting Ekdal leave on loan, given his limited opportunities at Turf Moor, where he finds himself behind several others in the defensive pecking order.
Ekdal’s Profile and Recent Form
Ekdal, a Swedish international, has shown promise when fit, delivering solid performances in the Championship and proving himself as a dependable defender during his time in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. However, his recent game time has been hampered by injuries, with a hamstring problem sidelining him earlier this season.
The defender returned to fitness in December, making the bench for five league matches but has struggled to reclaim a regular spot in Burnley’s lineup. His most recent appearance came in the Clarets’ FA Cup win over Reading, where he came off the bench. Despite his struggles, Ekdal’s ability to provide stability at the back makes him an appealing option for clubs in need of defensive reinforcements.
Hjalmar Ekdal
Ekdal began his football career with IF Brommapojkarna. In 2017, he played college ‘soccer’ at UNC Wilmington Seahawks, making 20 appearances and scoring two goals. Returning to Sweden in 2018, he joined IK Frej, accumulating 45 caps and three goals over two seasons. Subsequent stints included loans to Assyriska FF and IK Sirius, followed by a move to Djurgårdens IF in 2021, where he made 50 appearances and scored seven goals. In January 2023, Ekdal signed with Burnley FC, debuting with a goal in a 3–0 victory over Norwich City.
Writer’s View
Hjalmar Ekdal’s potential loan move presents both opportunities and risks for interested clubs. His injury history raises questions about reliability, but his proven quality when fit could make him a valuable addition, especially for Stoke, QPR, or Middlesbrough, all seeking defensive stability. With competition from European sides, the Championship trio must act swiftly if they want to secure this promising but injury-prone defender.
