Jalal Abdullai

Jalal Abdullai
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-01-05) 5 January 2005 (age 19)
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 IF Elfsborg
Number 14
Youth career
–2023 Inter Allies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– IF Elfsborg 34 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 November 2024

Jalal Abdullai (born 5 January 2005) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays as a forward for IF Elfsborg in the Allsvenskan.

Abdullai was brought from Ghanaian club Inter Allies to Sweden in the spring of 2023. Originally training with the U19 team of IF Elfsborg, he was rather quickly promoted to training with the senior team. In July 2023 Elfsborg decided to buy Abdullai.[2][3] In April 2024, Expressen named Abdullai as the 5th best teenager of Allsvenskan, calling him an "uncut diamond".[4][5]

His first goal for Elfsborg came in September 2023; a late, deciding goal in a 1–0 victory over Halmstad. He was also sent off in the same game.[6] In May 2024, he was noted for celebrating towards the opposing team's fans, also being yellow-carded for lifting his jersey.[7] In July 2024, he scored after 22 seconds against Mjällby.[8]

During the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase, Abdullai scored against Rijeka and Pafos.[9][10] Amid transfer rumours in the summer window of 2024, Abdullai penned a new contract with Elfsborg lasting until 2028.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ Jalal Abdullai at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Provspelare imponerar i Elfsborg – vill till Premier League". Borås Tidning (in Swedish). 18 April 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  3. ^ Grönlund, Konrad (5 July 2023). "Elfsborg värvar duo: "Han har stor potential"". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  4. ^ Wulcan, Marcus; et al. (9 April 2024). "Allsvenskans 20 hetaste tonåringar: "Hinner han ens en säsong?"". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Elfsborgs oslipade publikfavorit redo för genombrott: "Bättre nu"". Expressen (in Swedish). 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. ^ Billengren, Ludwig (25 September 2023). "Abdulai frälste Elfsborg - fick sedan rött kort". Fotbollskanalen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  7. ^ Fröberg, Adam (15 May 2024). "Abdullai förklarar firandet framför AIK-klacken: "Var inte för att provocera"". Fotbollskanalen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  8. ^ Adolfsson, Kewin (21 July 2024). "Elfsborg vann efter galna drömstarten". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  9. ^ Adolfsson, Kewin (8 August 2024). "Elfsborg fick med sig kryss nere i Kroatien". Expressen (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  10. ^ Lundberg, John (18 July 2024). "IF Elfsborg vidare – städade av Pafos FC". Göteborgs-Posten (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Elfsborgsspelarna svarar på flyttryktena: "Det visste jag inte ens om"". Borås Tidning (in Swedish). 28 July 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Forwardstalangen skriver långt avtal med Elfsborg: "Rätt plats att vara på"". Borås Tidning (in Swedish). 2 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.