Emil Winther Højlund (born 4 January 2005) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
Early life Højlund was born to former Danish footballer Anders Højlund, who played in the Danish Superliga with Boldklubben af 1893. He is the twin brother of Eintracht Frankfurt footballer Oscar Højlund, and the younger brother of Danish international and Napoli footballer Rasmus Højlund.
Club career Højlund began his career with local side Hørsholm-Usserød, a club affiliated with Danish Superliga side Copenhagen, whom he joined alongside his brother Oscar at the age of thirteen. His first taste of senior football came on 9 December 2021, when he was named on the bench for a UEFA Europa Conference League fixture against Slovan Bratislava, though he did not feature as a goal from his brother Rasmus helped Copenhagen to a 2–0 win. He extended his contract with the club on 23 December 2021, alongside his brother Oscar.
On 10 March 2022, Højlund made his professional debut for Copenhagen, coming on as a late substitute for Lukas Lerager in a 4–4 away draw to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Following the game, manager Jess Thorup said of both Højlund and fellow youth player Roony Bardghji, who had also featured in the game: "We are not afraid to use them, and they showed again that they are ready when it matters."
Højlund scored his first goal for the club in a friendly match against Silkeborg in a 2–1 win on 5 July 2023. He made his Superliga debut on 22 July, coming on as a substitute alongside his brother Oscar as Copenhagen beat Lyngby 2–1.
On 16 July 2024, German club Schalke 04 announced that they had signed Højlund until 30 June 2028.
International career Højlund has represented Denmark from under-16 to under-19 level.
Style of play Højlund has been described by Copenhagen's development director Sune Smith-Nielsen as a "complete striker who can play in the two front positions in the centre of the field", with good speed, technique, vision and finishing ability.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCopenhagen2021–22Danish Superliga000020202022–23Danish Superliga000000002023–24Danish Superliga10000010Total10002030Schalke 042024–252. Bundesliga10000—1002025–262. Bundesliga4010—50Total14010—150Schalke 04 II2024–25Regionalliga West10——10Career total1601020190
References
External links Profile at the Schalke 04 website