Karl Jesper Karlsson (born 25 July 1998) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Swiss Super League club Servette, 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 side 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 Dutch Eredivisie club AZ. 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 Italian Serie A club Bologna. On 4 January 2025, Karlsson moved on loan to Lecce for the remainder of the season.
Loan to Aberdeen
On 1 September 2025, Karlsson joined Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen on a season long loan, reuniting with Jimmy Thelin, who was his manager at Elfsborg. Karlsson was re-called by his parent club Bologna on 22 January 2026.
Loan to Utrecht On 23 January 2026, Karlsson returned to the Eredivisie, joining Utrecht on loan until the end of the season.
Loan to Servette On 8 September 2026, Karlsson was loaned to Swiss Super League club Servette for the 2026–27 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
Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFalkenbergs FF2016Allsvenskan26730——297IF Elfsborg2017Allsvenskan14031——1712018Allsvenskan22041——2612019Allsvenskan25811——2692020Allsvenskan221141——2612Total8319124—009523AZ2020–21Eredivisie32111061–39122021–22Eredivisie341543914251212022–23Eredivisie2392282–33132023–24Eredivisie000010–10Total8935752444212446Bologna2023–24Serie A7010––802024–25Serie A710000–71Total141100000151Lecce (loan)2024–25Serie A13100––131Aberdeen (loan)2025–26Scottish Premiership185106010266Utrecht (loan)2025–26Eredivisie16400000174Career total259722493046231988
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSweden202020202140202220202365Total145
Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Karlsson goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Jesper KarlssonNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 27 March 2023 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 4–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying216 June 2023 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 1–14–1Friendly33–1412 October 2023 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 1–03–1Friendly53–1
Honours Individual Allsvenskan Striker of the Year: 2020 Eredivisie Player of the Month: December 2021 Eredivisie Team of the Month: December 2021, March 2022, March 2023
References
External links Profile at the Bologna FC 1909 website