Isaac Kiese Thelin

Isaac Kiese Thelin (born 24 June 1992) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a forward.

A full international from 2014 to 2024, Kiese Thelin won 33 caps for Sweden and represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Club career Early career Kiese Thelin began his career at Karlslunds IF from Örebro, a club he had been playing football for since the age of five. He played from the club as they played in Sweden's Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3. In 2011, he transferred to newly promoted Allsvenskan side IFK Norrköping. Kiese Thelin made his breakthrough in the 2012 season when he appeared in eleven matches for the club and scored twice. For the 2013 season he increased his appearances to 25 and scored another four goals. After having appeared regularly during the beginning of the 2014 season, it was announced on 4 June 2014 that Kiese Thelin had signed a four-year contract with fellow Allsvenskan club and reigning champions Malmö FF.

Malmö FF On 4 June 2014, it was announced that Kiese Thelin would transfer to Malmö FF. It was announced that Malmö FF were in negotiations with IFK Norrköping to complete the transfer in summer of 2014 instead of completing the transfer after the season when Kiese Thelin's contract ended. On 5 July 2014 it was confirmed by Malmö FF that Kiese Thelin would join the club on 15 July 2014. He made his debut for the club in the first leg of the second qualifying round to the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League against FK Ventspils on 16 July 2014. Kiese Thelin would prove to play a crucial part of the team that defended the Allsvenskan league title and qualified for the group stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League. In his 14 league appearances for the club he scored five goals, the first against Kalmar FF in the away fixture on 19 July 2014. He also scored two important goals for the club in the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign, the first in the away game against FK Ventspils on 23 July 2014 and the second in the away game against Sparta Prague on 29 July 2014. Overall Kiese Thelin participated in all of the club's 12 matches in the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League. After the season, he was nominated for newcomer of the year at Svenska idrottsgalan. On 20 January 2015 Malmö FF announced that they had reached a verbal agreement with Ligue 1 side Bordeaux for the transfer of Kiese Thelin.

Bordeaux On 22 January 2015, Ligue 1 club Bordeaux confirmed the transfer of Kiese Thelin. He signed a contract lasting until 2019. He made his debut two days later in a goalless draw against SC Bastia, appearing in the whole match.

Loan to RSC Anderlecht On 5 January 2017, the Swedish striker joined Belgian Jupiler Pro League giant Anderlecht on loan. He was resent to Anderlecht on 24 May for the following season.

Anderlecht On 31 August 2017, RSC Anderlecht bought his rights from Bordeaux and loaned him to Waasland-Beveren.

Loan to Bayer Leverkusen On 7 August 2018, Bayer 04 Leverkusen announced the signing on Kiese Thelin on a season-long loan, until 30 June 2019.

Loan to Malmö FF On 9 January 2020, Kiese Thelin returned to former club Malmö FF on a season-long loan. On 8 November 2020 he scored his 13th Allsvenskan goal of the season in a 4–0 win against IK Sirius to help Malmö FF become Swedish Champions for the 21st time.

Loan to Kasımpaşa Kiese Thelin signed for Turkish Süper Lig side Kasımpaşa on loan in January 2021.

Baniyas In September 2021, Kiese Thelin signed with Baniyas.

Return to Malmö FF Kiese Thelin spent 2021 in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates at Kasımpaşa and Baniyas respectively. Ahead of the 2022 Allsvenskan season, he then returned to Malmö FF on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract with the club. He went on to become top scorer of the 2023 Allsvenskan with 16 goals.

International career

Youth Kiese Thelin was selected for Sweden U17 in 2009, and won a total of three caps and scored once. Thelin was selected for Sweden U21 in 2014 and scored two goals in his first two appearances. In 2015, he played in all five games as Sweden won the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He scored his first international goal on 15 November 2016, in a friendly 2–0 win against Hungary. In May 2018, he was named in the Sweden national team's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He came on as a substitute in four of the games as Sweden reached the quarter-finals in a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1994. He is a Christian.

Career statistics

Club

International

+ List of international goals scored by Isaac Kiese ThelinNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.1 15 November 2016 Ferencváros Stadion, Budapest, Hungary 2–0 2–0 Friendly 2 25 March 2017 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 4–0 4–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification 3 10 September 2018 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 1–0 2–3 2018–19 UEFA Nations League B 4 5 September 2021 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden 2–0 2–1 Friendly 5 12 January 2024Stelios Kyriakides Stadium, Paphos, Cyprus 2–1 2–1 Friendly

Honours

Karlslunds IF Division 3 Västra Svealand: 2011

Malmö FF Allsvenskan: 2014, 2020, 2023, 2024 Svenska Cupen: 2021–22, 2023–24 Svenska Supercupen: 2014

Anderlecht Belgian First Division: 2016–17 Belgian Super Cup: 2017

Sweden U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2015

Individual

Allsvenskan top scorer: 2023

Allsvenskan Forward of the Year: 2023