Jesper Karlsson


Karl Jesper Karlsson is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for club Utrecht, on loan from club Bologna.

Club career

Early career

Karlsson started playing in IF Böljan from the age of four. At the age of 14, he received his first-team debut for the club in Division 4. Before the 2015 season, he moved to Falkenbergs FF, and he was offered a first-team contract in the autumn. In November 2015, Karlsson signed a first team contract that extends over the season 2018 with Falkenberg FF. Before he signed the contract, he had also served and trained with English Brighton & Hove Albion.

Falkenbergs FF

The premiere of the headlines in 2016 were about Karlsson making his Allsvenskan debut. In the 79th minute he was replaced in instead of Akseli Pelvas, in the match Falkenbergs FF lost 2–0 to IFK Göteborg. On 17 July 2016, Karlsson scored his first two Allsvenskan goals in a 3–3 win against Hammarby IF. In total, he scored seven goals and made two assists during the 2016 season.

IF Elfsborg

Karlsson transferred from Falkenbergs FF to Swedish top flight IF Elfsborg on 2 December 2016 for a fee of €450,000.

AZ

On 11 September 2020, Karlsson signed a five-year contract with Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar. However, the teams agreed that he stayed at Elfsborg until 28 September. After arriving in Alkmaar, he made his debut on 4 October 2020 in a 4–4 draw against Sparta Rotterdam, in which he provided two assists.

Bologna

On 23 August 2023, it was announced that Karlsson had joined Serie A club Bologna. On 4 January 2025, Karlsson moved on loan to Lecce for the remainder of the season.

Aberdeen (loan)

On 1st September 2025, Karlsson joined Aberdeen on a season long loan, reuniting with Jimmy Thelin, who was his manager at Elfsborg. Karlsson was re-called by Bologna on 22nd January 2026.

Utrecht (loan)

On 23 January 2026, Karlsson was loaned to Dutch club Utrecht until the end of the season.

International career

In September 2015, Karlsson made his debut in the Sweden national under-19. He has also represented the Sweden U21 team.
He made his full international debut for Sweden on 9 January 2020 in a friendly game against Moldova.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
127 March 2023Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden4–05–0UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
216 June 2023Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden1–14–1Friendly
316 June 2023Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden3–14–1Friendly
412 October 2023Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden1–03–1Friendly
512 October 2023Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden3–13–1Friendly

Honours

Individual