Dejan Kulusevski
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}}
{{Short description|Swedish footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dejan Kulusevski
| image = Sweden-Slovenia Nations League 2022-09-27 17 Kulusevski (cropped).jpg
| caption = Kulusevski playing for Sweden in 2022
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|4|25|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/49316/Dejan-Kulusevski/overview |title=Dejan Kulusevski: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811194943/https://www.premierleague.com/players/49316/Dejan-Kulusevski/overview |url-status=live }}
| birth_place = Stockholm, Sweden
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Tottenham Hotspur
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 = 2006–2016
| youthclubs1 = IF Brommapojkarna
| youthyears2 = 2016–2018
| youthclubs2 = Atalanta
| years1 = 2018–2020
| clubs1 = Atalanta
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2019–2020
| clubs2 = → Parma (loan)
| caps2 = 17
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2020–2023
| clubs3 = Juventus
| caps3 = 55
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2020
| clubs4 = → Parma (loan)
| caps4 = 19
| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2022–2023
| clubs5 = → Tottenham Hotspur (loan)
| caps5 = 48
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2023–
| clubs6 = Tottenham Hotspur
| caps6 = 68
| goals6 = 15
| nationalyears1 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam1 = Macedonia U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| nationalyears2 = 2015–2017
| nationalteam2 = Sweden U17
| nationalcaps2 = 19
| nationalgoals2 = 6
| nationalyears3 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam3 = Sweden U19
| nationalcaps3 = 13
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2019
| nationalteam4 = Sweden U21
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 2
| nationalyears5 = 2019–
| nationalteam5 = Sweden
| nationalcaps5 = 45
| nationalgoals5 = 5
| club-update = 23:50, 11 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 22:33, 19 November 2024 (UTC)
}}
Dejan Kulusevski ({{langx|mk|Дејан Кулушевски|translit=}}; born 25 April 2000) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for {{English football updater|TottenhH}} club Tottenham Hotspur and the Sweden national team.
Coming through from the youth system, Kulusevski made his senior debut for Atalanta in 2019, before joining Parma on loan at the beginning of the 2019–20 season. He joined Juventus during the winter transfer window for €35 million, and was sent back to Parma on loan for the rest of the season. In January 2022, Kulusevski was sent on loan to Tottenham Hotspur in England. In June 2023, Tottenham signed Kulusevski permanently on a deal until 2028.{{cite news |date=17 June 2023 |title=Tottenham: Dejan Kulusevski completes permanent move from Juventus on five-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65941284 |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}
Early and personal life
Kulusevski was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to a Swedish Macedonian father and a Macedonian mother.{{cite news | last=Hjorter/TT | first=David | title=Från BP till Juventus – Kulusevskis resa | newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet | date=2 January 2020 | url=https://www.svd.se/a/Op22Jq/fran-bp-till-juventus-kulusevskis-resa | language=sv | access-date=24 June 2022 | archive-date=24 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624142203/https://www.svd.se/a/Op22Jq/fran-bp-till-juventus-kulusevskis-resa | url-status=live }} He represented both Sweden and Macedonia internationally at youth level, before opting to play for his birth country at senior level, making his full debut in 2019.
Kulusevski became engaged to fellow Swedish footballer Eldina Ahmić in May 2023, getting married on 15 June 2025.{{cite web|title=31.05.23 🤍💍|date=1 June 2023|website=instagram.com|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs8bkh1sqI3/|access-date=28 February 2025}}{{citeweb|title=@eldinaahmic on Instagram|date=15 June 2025|website=instagram.com|url=https://www.instagram.com/eldinaahmic/p/DK7-Y7CtflX/|access-date=16 June 2025}}{{Primary source inline|date=June 2025}} The couple have a daughter together named Leonie, born 25 April 2024.{{cite web|title=Who is Dejan Kulusevski? Age, wage, girlfriend, Spurs stats|date=28 September 2024|website=spurs-web.com|url=https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/dejan-kulusevki-tottenham-hotspur/|access-date=17 February 2025}} Beginning in the 2024–25 season, Kulusevski began using a goal celebration where he made a 'L' shape with his hand. While the gesture is commonly used to call somebody a 'Loser', Kulusevski revealed it was a tribute to his daughter, stating "That was all about Leonie, my biggest motivation".{{cite web|title=The love behind Deki's 'L' celebration at Old Trafford|date=30 September 2024|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2024/september/the-love-behind-dejan-kulusevskis-l-celebration-at-old-trafford/|access-date=17 February 2025}}
Club career
= Early career =
Kulusevski was born in Stockholm and joined the youth activities of IF Brommapojkarna at the age of six.{{cite web|date=11 October 2017|title=Primavera: alla scoperta di... Dejan Kulusevski|url=https://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/giovanili/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-10/11-10-Primavera-alla-scoperta-di-Kulusevski.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010901/https://www.atalanta.it/site/paginalive/giovanili/Stagione-2017-2018/2017-10/11-10-Primavera-alla-scoperta-di-Kulusevski.html|archive-date=21 January 2019|website=atalanta.it|language=it}}
= Atalanta =
He joined the Atalanta youth system on 7 July 2016 from Brommapojkarna, before making any senior appearance for the club.{{Cite web|title=Från BP till Juventus – Kulusevskis resa|url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2020-01-02/fran-bp-till-juventus-kulusevskis-resa|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Sydsvenskan|date=2 January 2020 |language=sv|archive-date=25 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325000029/https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2020-01-02/fran-bp-till-juventus-kulusevskis-resa|url-status=live}} He made his Serie A debut on 20 January 2019, coming on as a substitute for Marten de Roon in a 5–0 away win against Frosinone.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/commentary?gameId=522618 |title=Frosinone 0–5 Atalanta |publisher=ESPN FC |date=20 January 2019 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609204230/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/commentary?gameId=522618 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0e9f8bcb8ad0-65d3fcc96d48-1000--who-is-new-juventus-signing-dejan-kulusevski/ |title=Who is new Juventus signing Dejan Kulusevski? |publisher=UEFA |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102235500/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2637649.html |url-status=live }} He made a total of three appearances for the club throughout the 2018–19 season, each as a substitute.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/31/juventus-agree-deal-to-sign-19-year-old-midfielder-dejan-kulusevski-for-30m |title=Juventus agree deal to sign 19-year-old midfielder Dejan Kulusevski for £30m |work=The Guardian |last1=Romano |first1=Fabrizio |date=31 December 2019 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415042053/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/31/juventus-agree-deal-to-sign-19-year-old-midfielder-dejan-kulusevski-for-30m |url-status=live }}
== Loan to Parma ==
On 18 July 2019, Kulusevski signed to Serie A club Parma on loan until 30 June 2020.{{cite web|url=https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-parma-presi-cornelius-e-kulusevski-dall-atalanta-1270279|access-date=18 July 2019|title=UFFICIALE: Parma, presi Cornelius e Kulusevski dall'Atalanta|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718123906/https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-parma-presi-cornelius-e-kulusevski-dall-atalanta-1270279|url-status=live}} He scored his first Serie A goal in a 3–2 home win against Torino, on 30 September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/6jdw6W|title=Ny succé för Dejan Kulusevski – första målet i Serie A|website=Aftonbladet|date=30 September 2019|language=sv|access-date=1 October 2019|archive-date=25 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325000048/https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/6jdw6W|url-status=live}}
Following his form while on loan with Parma during the first part of the 2019–20 Serie A season, during which he scored four goals and provided seven assists in 17 league appearances, on 2 January 2020, Kulusevski joined fellow Serie A club Juventus on a four-and-a-half-year deal, for €35 million, which could possibly rise to €44 million with variables.{{Cite web|title=Officiellt: Dejan Kulusevski klar för Juventus|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/K32Ko7|access-date=4 September 2020|website=Aftonbladet|date=2 January 2020|language=sv|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103071230/https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/K32Ko7|url-status=live}}
Kulusevski was sent back on loan to Parma for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|title=Dejan Kulusevski alla Juventus|url=https://www.atalanta.it/news/dejan-kulusevski-alla-juventus/|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Atalanta|date=2 January 2020|language=it|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105233902/https://www.atalanta.it/news/dejan-kulusevski-alla-juventus/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2 January 2020 |title=Dejan Kulusevski è un giocatore della Juventus! |url=http://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2020/dejan-kulusevski---un-giocatore-della-juventus-.php |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=Juventus.com |language=it |archive-date=2 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102203328/https://www.juventus.com/it/news/news/2020/dejan-kulusevski---un-giocatore-della-juventus-.php |url-status=live }} He finished the season with 10 goals and nine assists,{{Cite web|date=3 August 2020|title=Il miglior Under-21: Dejan Kulusevski|url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/miglior-under-21-kulusevski-ultimo-uomo-awards/|access-date=14 August 2020|website=L'Ultimo Uomo|language=it-IT|archive-date=25 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325000119/https://www.ultimouomo.com/miglior-under-21-kulusevski-ultimo-uomo-awards/|url-status=live}} and was awarded the Serie A Best Young Player for the season.{{cite news|date=4 August 2020|title=The MVPs of the 2019/2020 Serie A Season|publisher=Serie A|url=http://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/the-mvps-of-the-2019-2020-season|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116052245/http://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/the-mvps-of-the-2019-2020-season|url-status=dead}}
= Juventus =
Kulusevski scored on his Juventus debut on 20 September 2020 in a 3–0 league win at home against Sampdoria.{{Cite web|title=Juve-Sampdoria: gol di Kulusevski al primo tiro in porta all'esordio|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/20-09-2020/juve-sampdoria-gol-kulusevski-primo-tiro-porta-esordio-3802136369420.shtml|access-date=20 September 2020|website=La Gazzetta dello Sport|date=20 September 2020 |language=it-IT|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105160053/https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Juventus/20-09-2020/juve-sampdoria-gol-kulusevski-primo-tiro-porta-esordio-3802136369420.shtml|url-status=live}} On 19 May 2021, he scored the opening goal and later set-up Federico Chiesa's match-winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Atalanta in the 2021 Coppa Italia Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/170906/coppa-juventus-end-atalanta-dream|title=Coppa: Juventus end Atalanta dream|website=Football Italia|date=19 May 2021|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519232613/https://www.football-italia.net/170906/coppa-juventus-end-atalanta-dream|url-status=live}} In the next season, Kulusevski scored the winning goal in the Champions League match against Zenit Saint Petersburg with a header in the 86th minute on 20 October.{{Cite web |last=Sport |first=Sky |title=Zenit-Juventus LIVE |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/champions-league/partite/2021/giornata-3/zenit-san-pietroburgo-juventus/risultato-gol |access-date=27 February 2022 |website=sport.sky.it |date=20 October 2021 |language=it |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227112830/https://sport.sky.it/calcio/champions-league/partite/2021/giornata-3/zenit-san-pietroburgo-juventus/risultato-gol |url-status=live }} Kulusevski's playing time was reduced under Massimiliano Allegri, making 20 appearances and scoring two goals.
= Tottenham Hotspur =
File:Dejan Kulusevski 2022.jpg in 2022]]
On 31 January 2022, Kulusevski was sent on an 18-month loan to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur; the loan deal was worth €10 million, and included an option for purchase, which would become an obligation under certain conditions for an additional fee of €35 million.{{Cite web|title=Grazie Dejan e buona fortuna! – Juventus|url=https://www.juventus.com/it/news/articoli/grazie-dejan-e-buona-fortuna|access-date=31 January 2022|date=31 January 2022|website=Juventus.com|language=it|archive-date=3 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603015716/https://www.juventus.com/it/news/articoli/grazie-dejan-e-buona-fortuna|url-status=live}}
He made his first appearance for Spurs on 5 February in the FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion, coming on a substitute in a 3–1 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/02/05/tottenham-hotspur-vs-brighton-fa-cup-live-score-latest-updates/ |title=Space invader Dejan Kulusevski ups the ante at Tottenham with a sureness of touch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207125439/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/02/05/tottenham-hotspur-vs-brighton-fa-cup-live-score-latest-updates/ |archive-date=7 February 2022 |work=The Daily Telegraph |first= Ivan|last= Speck }} On 19 February, Kulusevski scored his first goal for Tottenham in the fourth minute of the match which Tottenham eventually won 3–2 against Manchester City.{{Cite web |title=Kane gives Tottenham dramatic late win over Man City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60357463 |first=Chris |last=Bevan |date=19 February 2022 |access-date=20 February 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219233455/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60357463 |url-status=live }} In his first season, Kulusevski managed 13 goal involvements (five goals and eight assists) in 18 Premier League matches.{{Cite web|title='AS IF BY MAGIC': ITALIAN PRESS BLOWN AWAY BY TOTTENHAM PLAYER'S 'EXCEPTIONAL' TURNAROUND|date=23 May 2022|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/23/tottenham-hotspur-dejan-kulusevski-juventus-2/|language=en|access-date=24 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524042818/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/23/tottenham-hotspur-dejan-kulusevski-juventus-2/|url-status=live}} However, he struggled the following season, "through a mixture of injuries, bad form and arguably poor management".{{Cite web |date=11 May 2023 |title=Tottenham's biggest disappointment this season |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c9e33vmkz7jo |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}
On 17 June 2023, it was announced that Kulusevski had signed permanently with Tottenham Hotspur until 2028.{{Cite web|title=Permanent deal for Dejan|date=17 June 2023|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/june/permanent-deal-for-dejan/|language=en|access-date=17 June 2023|archive-date=17 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617193623/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/june/permanent-deal-for-dejan/|url-status=live}} On 16 September, Kulusevski's 100th-minute winner gave Tottenham a 2–1 turnaround win over Sheffield United, sealing the latest ever winning comeback in Premier League history.{{Cite news |last=Beardmore |first=Michael |title=Tottenham 2–1 Sheffield United: Richarlison comes off bench to spark stoppage-time turnaround |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66760556 |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=16 September 2023}}{{Cite news |title=Kulusevski strike seals latest ever winning comeback in Premier League history |language=en-GB |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/september/kulusevski-strike-seals-latest-ever-winning-comeback-in-premier-league-history/ |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=18 September 2023}} Kulusevski ended the 23/24 season with 8 goals and 3 assists in 39 appearances for Spurs.
On 15 May 2025, the club said Kulusevski would be out for "at least a few months" after surgery for a knee injury.{{Cite web |date=14 May 2025 |title=Dejan Kulusevski: Tottenham midfielder out for a 'few months' – Ange Postecoglou |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c249nmyv6mjo |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
International career
Born in Sweden to Macedonian parents from Ohrid,{{cite web |title=Дејан Кулушевски: "Семејството беше најсреќно по мојот настап за Македонија" |url=https://ffm.mk/dejan-kulushevski-semejstvoto-beshe-najsrekjno-po-mojot-nastap-za-makedonija |website=Fudbalska Federacija na Makedonija |access-date=3 April 2021 |language=mk |date=19 November 2015 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928055726/https://ffm.mk/dejan-kulushevski-semejstvoto-beshe-najsrekjno-po-mojot-nastap-za-makedonija |url-status=live }} Kulusevski played for all Swedish youth national teams,{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballscouting.it/atalanta/alla-scoperta-di-dejan-kulusevski-il-predestinato-dellatalanta-che-verra/|title=Alla scoperta di Dejan Kulusevski, il "predestinato" dell'Atalanta che verrà {{!}} Football Scouting|date=17 November 2018|website=Football Scouting {{!}} Campionato Primavera {{!}} Calcio Giovanile|language=it-IT|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033913/https://www.footballscouting.it/atalanta/alla-scoperta-di-dejan-kulusevski-il-predestinato-dellatalanta-che-verra/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/kulusevski-trascina-l-atalanta-soffiato-all-arsenal-studia-da-nu-93777|title=Kulusevski trascina l'Atalanta: soffiato all'Arsenal, studia da nuovo-Cristante|website=Calciomercato.com {{!}} Tutte le news sul calcio in tempo reale|date=4 August 2018 |language=it|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612052412/https://www.calciomercato.com/news/kulusevski-trascina-l-atalanta-soffiato-all-arsenal-studia-da-nu-93777|url-status=live}} as well as the Macedonia under-17 national team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-atalanta-tesserata-la-stellina-kulusevski-851664|title=UFFICIALE: Atalanta, tesserata la stellina Kulusevski – TUTTOmercatoWEB.com|website=tuttomercatoweb.com|language=it|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115151657/https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-atalanta-tesserata-la-stellina-kulusevski-851664|url-status=live}} He was called up to the Sweden national team for the first time in November 2019 for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying games against Romania and the Faroe Islands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/landslaget/dejan-kulusevski-uttagen-efter-succen/|title=Dejan Kulusevski uttagen i landslaget efter jättesuccén|website=Expressen|date=6 November 2019 |language=sv|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611105451/https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/landslaget/dejan-kulusevski-uttagen-efter-succen/|url-status=live}} For the senior national team, Kulusevski has said that his choice of allegiance was 'an easy one' since it was always his preference to represent Sweden.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/landslaget/motet-med-ronaldo-vi-har-inte-lagt-marke-till-det/|title=Dejan Kulusevski om första tiden i Juventus och mötet med Ronaldo|work=Expressen|language=sv|last=Höglund|first=Hugo|date=2 September 2020|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115151701/https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/landslaget/motet-med-ronaldo-vi-har-inte-lagt-marke-till-det/|url-status=live}}
Kulusevski made his senior international debut for Sweden on 18 November 2019, coming on as a substitute for Ken Sema in a 3–0 win against the Faroe Islands in the last game of the Euro 2020 qualifying stage.{{cite web|url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/sverige/nerver-gav-tunga-ben-i-debuten-for-kulusevski---som-sagar-planen-den-var-inte-/|title=Nerver gav tunga ben i debuten för Kulusevski – som sågar planen: "Den var inte okej"|publisher=fotbollskanalen.se|language=sv|last=Petersson|first=Martin|date=19 November 2019|access-date=20 November 2019|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530231000/https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/sverige/nerver-gav-tunga-ben-i-debuten-for-kulusevski---som-sagar-planen-den-var-inte-/|url-status=live}} On 8 September 2020, he made his first start for Sweden, playing for 90 minutes before being substituted for Albin Ekdal in a 0–2 loss to Portugal in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.{{Cite web|title=Sverige – Portugal – Matchfakta – Svensk fotboll|url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/matchfakta/sverige-portugal-landskamper-herr-senior/4544507|access-date=9 September 2020|website=svenskfotboll.se|date=8 September 2020 |language=sv|archive-date=15 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615180520/https://www.svenskfotboll.se/matchfakta/sverige-portugal-landskamper-herr-senior/4544507/|url-status=live}} On 14 November 2020, Kulusevski scored his first international goal against Croatia in a 2–1 home win in the Nations League.{{Cite web|date=14 November 2020|title=Kulusevski's first national team goal – Sweden leads 2–0|url=https://nord.news/2020/11/14/kulusevskis-first-national-team-goal-sweden-leads-2-0/|access-date=15 November 2020|website=Nord News|language=en-US|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609204230/https://nord.news/2020/11/14/kulusevskis-first-national-team-goal-sweden-leads-2-0/|url-status=live}}
On 8 June 2021, Kulusevski tested positive for COVID-19 amid its pandemic in Sweden, and was ruled out of Sweden's opening UEFA Euro 2020 match against Spain on 14 June.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4210280/2021/06/08/swedens-dejan-kulusevski-and-mattias-svanberg-both-test-positive-for-covid-19/|title=Sweden's Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg both test positive for COVID-19|publisher=theathletic.com|date=8 June 2021|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625201647/https://theathletic.com/news/dejan-kulusevski-sweden-coronavirus-covid/KDoqubm7wxzr|url-status=live}}
Style of play
A tall, physically strong, and versatile player, Kulusevski is capable of playing in several midfield and attacking roles, and has been deployed as an attacking midfielder, as a box-to-box midfielder, as a winger on either flank, or even as an offensive-minded central midfielder and can play defensive as well. He is known as the mezzala role in Italian (literally "half-winger"); his main position is playing as an attacking midfielder behind the striker.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18069418999128118/|title=FRÅGESTUNDER – @sweu21|website=instagram.com|language=en|access-date=24 January 2020|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417101409/https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18069418999128118/|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=June 2025}} He has also been deployed as a makeshift centre-forward on occasion. His main qualities are his work rate, stamina, and his ability to switch the play or provide assists and through balls to teammates, courtesy of his vision and passing ability. He also possesses good technique, dribbling skills, and striking ability, which enables him to score goals, in addition to creating chances for teammates.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldfootballscouting.com/giovani-talenti-del-2000/dejan-kulusevski-talento-svedese-classe-2000/ |title=Dejan Kulusevski: talento svedese classe 2000 |publisher=worldfootballscouting.com |language=it |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901185741/http://www.worldfootballscouting.com/giovani-talenti-del-2000/dejan-kulusevski-talento-svedese-classe-2000/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/148188/kulusevski-perfect-juve-future |title=Kulusevski perfect for Juve future |publisher=Football Italia |last1=Yakimov |first1=Vilizar |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120140502/https://www.football-italia.net/148188/kulusevski-perfect-juve-future |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/parma/2019/10/25-62633317/parma_d_aversa_kulusevski_centravanti_quel_ruolo_l_ha_fatto_/ |title=Parma, D'Aversa: "Kulusevski centravanti? Quel ruolo l'ha fatto..." |work=Tutto Sport |language=it |date=25 October 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429174927/https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/parma/2019/10/25-62633317/parma_d_aversa_kulusevski_centravanti_quel_ruolo_l_ha_fatto_ |url-status=live }}
Regarded as a promising and hard-working player in the media, his manager at Parma, Roberto D'Aversa, has compared Kulusevski to Mohamed Salah. He noted how the player "is always among the players who cover the most distance in every game", and "has the right mentality". Kulusevski himself named compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimović as an influence. Regarding his own playing style, he commented in a 2019 interview with Sportbladet: "I like to have the ball at my feet. I used to dribble a lot when I was a kid but I have got better at moving the ball more quickly. I have developed my defensive game, that was a weakness before, and that has made me a more complete player."{{cite web |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/opxbja/jag-kanner-mig-speciell |title=Kulusevski i stor intervju: "Känner mig speciell" |date=12 November 2019 |work=Aftonbladet |language=sv |access-date=2 January 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033913/https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/opxbja/jag-kanner-mig-speciell |url-status=live }} He has also cited Belgian footballers Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard as players he admires and seeks to emulate.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/153744/kulusevski-chose-juve-sarri |title=Kulusevski: 'Chose Juve for Sarri' |publisher=Football Italia |date=27 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304142942/https://www.football-italia.net/153744/kulusevski-chose-juve-sarri |url-status=live }} He has also stated that Spanish striker Fernando Torres was his football idol growing up.{{cite web|title=Getting to know... Deki Kulusevski|date=August 2023|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/august/getting-to-know-dejan-kulusevski/|access-date=17 February 2025}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 11 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|dejan-kulusevski/460405}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coppa Italia, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atalanta
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Parma (loan)
|Serie A |36 | 10 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 10 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Juventus
|Serie A |35 | 4 | 5 | 3 | colspan="2" |— | 6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana|name=SCI}} | 0 | 47 | 7 | ||
| 2021–22
|Serie A |20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | 1{{efn|name=SCI}} | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!55 | 5 | 6 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 74 | 9 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Tottenham Hotspur (loan)
|18 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 5 | ||||
| 2022–23
|Premier League |30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 57 | 7 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Tottenham Hotspur
|Premier League |36 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 8 | |||
| 2024–25
|Premier League |32 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 11{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 10 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!68 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 89 | 18 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!210 | 38 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 262 | 45 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 19 November 2024}}{{NFT player|76259|access-date=24 June 2021}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="6"|Sweden
|2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 | 1 |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 | 2 |
| colspan="2"|Total||45||5 |
|---|
{{updated|match played 19 November 2024}}
Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kulusevski goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Dejan Kulusevski !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition !scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| align="center"|1
|14 November 2020 |Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden |{{fb|CRO}} |align="center"|1–0 |align="center"|2–1 |
| align="center"|2
|2 June 2022 |Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia |{{fb|SVN}} |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|2–0 |
| align="center"|3
|9 September 2023 |Lilleküla Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia |{{fb|EST}} |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|5–0 |
| align="center"|4
| rowspan="2"|19 November 2024 | rowspan="2"|Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden | rowspan="2"|{{fb|AZE}} | style="text-align:center"|1–0 | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|6–0 | rowspan="2" |2024–25 UEFA Nations League C | rowspan="2" align="center"|{{cite web |title=Sverige – Azerbajdzjan – Matchfakta – Svensk fotboll |url=https://www.svenskfotboll.se/matchfakta/sverige-azerbajdzjan-landskamper-herr-senior/5791243/ |access-date=19 November 2024 }} |
| align="center"|5
| style="text-align:center"|4–0 |
Honours
Juventus
Tottenham Hotspur
- UEFA Europa League: 2024–25{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Tottenham vs Man Utd {{!}} UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Final |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2044465--tottenham-vs-man-utd/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |publisher=UEFA |language=en}}
Individual
- Serie A Best Under-23: 2019–20
- Swedish Midfielder of the Year: 2020, 2023, 2024{{cite web|url=https://svff.svenskfotboll.se/om-svff/historik/fotbollsgalan/ovriga-utmarkelser/|title=Övriga utmärkelser|access-date=22 January 2025|publisher=Swedish Football Association|language=sv}}
- Swedish Forward of the Year: 2022
- Guldbollen: 2022,{{cite web |title=Dejan Kulusevski tilldelas Guldbollen 2022 |url=https://www.svt.se/sport/fotboll/guldbollen-2022 |website=SVT Sport |access-date=27 December 2022 |language=Swedish |date=27 December 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227195947/https://www.svt.se/sport/fotboll/guldbollen-2022 }} 2023{{cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/sport/fotboll/guldbollen-mjshoo|title=Dejan Kulusevski får Guldbollen 2023|publisher=SVT Sport|author=Moa Berander|language=Swedish|date=4 January 2024|accessdate=4 January 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/teams/men/players/dejan-kulusevski/ Profile] at the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. website
- {{SvFF player|id=c23667ff-43ad-4f85-9658-73d01acae117|fid=711462}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200102232452/https://www.svenskfotboll.se/spelarfakta/711462/ archive])
- {{Premier League player}}
- {{FIFA player}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Tottenham Hotspur F.C. squad}}
{{Sweden squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{Serie A Awards}}
{{Swedish Footballer of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kulusevski, Dejan}}
Category:Footballers from Stockholm
Category:Swedish men's footballers
Category:Macedonian men's footballers
Category:21st-century Macedonian sportsmen
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:IF Brommapojkarna players
Category:Parma Calcio 1913 players
Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players
Category:North Macedonia men's youth international footballers
Category:Sweden men's youth international footballers
Category:Sweden men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Sweden men's international footballers
Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players
Category:Macedonian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Swedish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Macedonian expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Macedonian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Swedish expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Swedish expatriate sportspeople in England