Jardell Kanga (born 13 December 2005) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell
Club career Kanga is a youth product of Brommapojkarna. He began his senior career with them in 2021 in the Ettan and became their youngest ever debutant at 15 years old and 3 months, their youngest ever goalscorer, and helped them achieve promotion into the Superettan that season. On 20 January 2022, he signed with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, and was assigned to their under-19s. In September 2022, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2005 worldwide.
On 1 February 2024, Kanga joined De Graafschap in the Dutch second-tier Eerste Divisie on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut for the Superboeren on 9 February, replacing David Flakus Bosilj in the 74th minute of a 2–0 home loss to Willem II.
On 13 July 2024, Kanga signed for Swedish side Hammarby IF on a contract until December 2028.
On 2 April 2025, Kanga was loaned to Veikkausliiga club Ilves with an option-to-buy.Jardell Kanga liittyy Ilveksen riveihin lainasopimuksella, ilvesfootball.com, 2 April 2025 On 19 July, his transfer was made permanent for an undisclosed fee. Kanga and Ilves signed a contract until the end of 2027.ILVES KÄYTTI OSTO-OPTIONSA – JARDELL KANGALLE KAUDEN 2027 LOPPUUN ULOTTUVA SOPIMUS, ilvesfootball.com, 19 July 2025
Motherwell On 28 August 2026, Kanga joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on a three-year contract, for an initial €400,000 transfer fee, which could reach €1 million due to bonuses.Ilveksen tähtipelaajan lähtö varmistui – ruotsalaistieto: rahaa tulee iso potti, Ilta-Sanomat, 25 August 2026
International career Kanga is a youth international for Sweden having played for the Sweden U17s, and is their record goalscorer at that level. He represented the country at the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where they were eliminated at the group stage.
Personal life Born in Sweden, Kanga is of DR Congolese descent. He is the cousin of the Swedish footballer Josafat Mendes.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBrommapojkarna2021Ettan Norra23510——245Bayer Leverkusen2021–22Bundesliga000000—002022–23Bundesliga000000—002023–24Bundesliga000000—00Total0000000000De Graafschap (loan)2023–24Eerste Divisie1000—0010Hammarby2024Allsvenskan1020——30Hammarby TFF2024Ettan102———102Ilves2025Veikkausliiga2751040—3252026Veikkausliiga20104261—3013Total471552101006218Motherwell2026-27Scottish Premiership310000—31Career total8523821010010326
References
External links