Swedish Midfielder Chased By Clubs Across Europe

For the better part of the 21st century, Swedish football was known to the world through Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The striker, who is still playing for AC Milan at 41 years old, was the only superstar in the national team. However, in recent years, the national team is starting to see several new youngsters emerge. There is the electric winger Roony Bardghji who is dazzling defences in the Danish League. Another is Celta de Vigo’s attacking midfielder Williot Swedberg. And now the latest name to join the list is Hugo Larsson, the central midfielder whose stock is rising fast in the Swedish league.

The 18-year-old has already been earmarked for a brilliant career going forward. Larsson’s rise comes at a time when the Swedish national team is looking to rise among the football ranks. And while he is still far from a finished product, the early signs are pretty promising.

But who is Hugo Larsson, and how good is he?

Playing career so far 

Hugo Emanuel Larsson was born in Svarte, a locality situated in Ystad Municipality, Skane County, in southern Sweden. Larsson’s footballing career started at the young age of five when he joined local club SoGK Charlo in 2009. For the next seven years, Larssson played for the club, quickly progressing through the youth ranks and establishing himself as one of the top young prospects across Sweden.

All that brilliant performances in the youth ranks brought the interest of top Swedish clubs from across the country. In the end, though, Larsson decided to sign for Malmo, the most successful club in the country. What also worked for Larsson was that the club was only 60 kilometres from Svarte, meaning it was easy for the then 12 years to join the team.

Joining the club in 2016, Hugo Larsson continued his development playing for the under-16s, followed by a successful under-18s spell. There, he caught the eyes of the top coaching hierarchy of the club. 

He was selected for the UEFA Youth League campaign for Malmo, where he played every match in the group stages. Despite Malmo losing five of the six games, Larsson’s performance was brilliant, which earned him a call-up to the senior team.

His debut for the senior team finally came on February 20, 2022, when he played the final 15 minutes of the game against GAIS. Over the next 23 days, he would play three more matches helping Malmo reach the final. Larsson also played in the final, where Malmo won their 15th cup title.

This brought him his senior team debut in the league…