The Allsvenskan has developed into one of Europe’s most compelling talent hotbeds in recent years. While the league has traditionally been known for its physical style of play and tactical discipline, we are now witnessing a new generation of players emerge who combine technical ability with modern football intelligence. These young talents, born in 2005 or later, represent not only the future of Swedish football but are also attracting international attention from scouts and top clubs across Europe.
In this overview, we present five exceptional talents that the Swedish league currently boasts. Each has already proven that age is just a number, and their diverse backgrounds and playing styles illustrate the growing diversity and quality of Nordic football.
Matias Siltanen
Club: Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Nationality: Finland 🇫🇮
Position: Central Midfielder
Date of Birth: 29 March 2007
Matias Siltanen’s emergence in the 2024 season took many by surprise, even in Finland. At just 17 years old, he became a regular starter for KuPS, making over 40 appearances across all competitions and playing a key role in the club’s league and cup double. Calm under pressure and composed on the ball, the teenage midfielder stood out for his maturity beyond his years, which earned him the Rookie of the Year award in the Veikkausliiga and a €1.2 million transfer to Djurgårdens IF at the start of 2025.
Siltanen operates as a deep-lying midfielder, where he dictates the rhythm of play with impressive vision and positional intelligence. His range of passing, awareness of space, and timing in interceptions make him a complete player in central areas. Although he isn’t the most physically imposing, his ability to anticipate and control the tempo of a match has drawn comparisons to more experienced playmakers. He is also capable of progressing the ball forward and handling pressure in tight spaces—two qualities that separate good midfielders from great ones.
Already capped at senior level for Finland, Siltanen is widely regarded as one of the brightest Nordic talents of his generation. His move to Djurgården is expected to be the next step in his development, offering exposure to a higher tempo and European football. With his mentality and technical skillset, Siltanen could soon become a fixture in Finland’s midfield and a player to watch in international tournaments over the next few years.
Pontus Dahbo
Club: BK Häcken (Sweden)
Nationality: Sweden 🇸🇪
Position: Midfielder / Winger
Date of Birth: 11 October 2005
Pontus Dahbo’s rise at BK Häcken has been rapid and eye-catching. He made his Allsvenskan debut in 2023 before his 18th birthday, and by the end of the season had already featured in Champions League qualifiers and Europa League matches. Dahbo announced himself with important goals in key matches, scoring a composed finish in the derby against IFK Göteborg and producing a match-winning brace against Malmö.
Technically gifted and left-footed, Dahbo is a creative midfielder who thrives in tight spaces and between the lines. He combines excellent first touch with quick decision-making and has a sharp eye for through balls and disguised passes. While his natural position is as a No. 10, he is versatile enough to play as a No. 8 or even in wide areas as a drifting playmaker. Dahbo is also active without the ball, pressing high and contributing to Häcken’s counter-pressing schemes.
Sweden youth coaches see him as a key figure in the coming years, and there is a growing belief that he may not stay in the Allsvenskan for long. With his flair, football IQ, and comfort under pressure, Dahbo is attracting interest from clubs in top European leagues. If he continues his development trajectory, he could be one of Sweden’s most exciting attacking midfielders in a decade.
Keita Kosugi
Club: Djurgårdens IF (Sweden)
Nationality: Japan 🇯🇵
Position: Left-back / Defender
Date of Birth: 18 March 2006
When Keita Kosugi arrived in Sweden from Shonan Bellmare in early 2024, few expected the 18-year-old Japanese full-back to break into Djurgårdens IF’s starting lineup so quickly. But after the departure of Samuel Dahl, Kosugi seized his opportunity and made the left-back spot his own, delivering consistent performances in both the Allsvenskan and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Kosugi is a modern full-back, combining defensive discipline with relentless energy going forward. He times his runs well and has the agility and technical quality to beat opponents in one-on-one situations. In possession, he’s tidy and quick with his decisions, often linking up with midfielders and delivering dangerous crosses or cut-backs from advanced positions. Defensively, he’s alert in transition and recovers ground with impressive speed. He is also great at defending against tricky wingers in 1v1 situations, being able to react quickly to small direction changes from the opponent.
Kosugi was part of Japan’s U17 team that won the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in 2023, and his progress since then has been steady and convincing. With regular football at club level and the experience of European competition, he looks set to become a long-term option for Japan’s senior team. Djurgården may have uncovered a gem who could soon be on the radar of clubs beyond Scandinavia.
Nils Zätterström
Club: Malmö FF (Sweden)
Nationality: Sweden 🇸🇪
Position: Centre-back
Date of Birth: 29 March 2005
In early 2024, Nils Zätterström made his debut for Malmö FF and quickly made a strong impression. The Swedish center-back, known for his physical presence and aerial dominance, slotted seamlessly into the team and played a crucial role during a demanding season that included Champions League qualifiers. His performances earned him a senior Sweden call-up in the autumn, and he marked his debut with a clean sheet in a 6–0 win over Azerbaijan.
Zätterström is a left-footed central defender with an old-school mentality and modern ball-playing ability. He dominates in the air, times his tackles well, and carries himself with the authority of a more experienced player. On the ball, he’s capable of launching switches of play or breaking lines with firm, accurate passes into midfield. His reading of the game and calm under pressure make him a leader in the backline, despite only recently turning 20.
Viewed as a future international regular, Zätterström has the tools to play at a higher level in the near future. Malmö provides him with the platform to develop further, but clubs outside Sweden are already monitoring his progress. If he continues to mature, it may only be a matter of time before he takes the next step in his career abroad.
Bleon Kurtulus
Club: Halmstads BK (Sweden)
Nationality: Sweden 🇸🇪
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 24 June 2007
Bleon Kurtulus made headlines in 2024 by breaking into the Halmstads BK first team at just 16 years old, sharing the pitch with his older brother Edvin in a league match. Of Kosovan and Turkish descent, Bleon was also named by The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2007, and his early showings in the Allsvenskan have only reinforced that reputation.
Kurtulus is a composed and technically skilled defender who can operate at center-back or as a right-back. What stands out most is his decision-making: he positions himself smartly, reads danger early, and remains calm even when pressed by more experienced attackers. With the ball, he’s confident and progressive, capable of playing out from the back or stepping into midfield to break lines. His versatility and game intelligence make him a unique profile in his age group.
Still only 17, Kurtulus has already been called up for Sweden’s U21 squad and is seen as a cornerstone for the future. Halmstad is providing the perfect environment for regular minutes and steady growth, but given his potential, interest from bigger clubs is inevitable. Whether he stays or moves, Kurtulus looks set for a bright future in Scandinavian and eventually European football.
This overview is written by Harry Kruusval, football scout, analyst, and writer at 360 Scouting.
Target Scouting 