The son of a well-known Swedish journalist and broadcaster, Albin Ekdal is in the process of carving out a useful career in Serie A. He has already represented four clubs in that division, the latest being Cagliari Calcio. A gifted right-sided midfielder, he made his debut for Sweden in August 2011.

• The son of TV presenter Lennart Ekdal, he was born in Stockholm and began his career with IF Brommapojkarna, having rejected a move to Chelsea FC following a successful trial. 

• Starred in his debut season in the Allsvenskan, despite Brommapojkarna's relegation, and was widely revered as a special talent, his excellent displays for Sweden's youth selections further attracting the interest of several top European clubs; eventually signed a four-year contract with Juventus and moved to Turin in the summer of 2008 after completing his schooling.

• Groomed in the Juventus reserves, he made just three substitute appearances for the Bianconeri, the first of them away to SSC Napoli on 18 October 2008; joined AC Siena on loan for the 2009/10 season and scored his first Serie A goal in a 4-3 defeat by FC Internazionale Milano at San Siro on 10 January 2010.

• Relegated with Siena, he was signed by Bologna FC in a co-ownership deal with Juventus but a year later was on the move again, joining Cagliari.

• Shortly before arriving in Sardinia he was handed his senior debut for Sweden, playing the last half-hour of a friendly against Ukraine in the UEFA EURO 2012 venue of Kharkiv (1-0).