Kosovare Asllani

Swedish footballer (born 1989) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kosovare Asllani (Albanian: [kɔsɔˈvaɾɛ asˈlani]; born 29 July 1989) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker or attacking midfielder for Women's Super League club London City Lionesses and the Sweden national team.[4][5]

Full name Kosovare Asllani[1]
Date of birth (1989-07-29) 29 July 1989 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Kristianstad, Sweden[2]
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Kosovare Asllani
Asllani with Real Madrid in 2021
Personal information
Full name Kosovare Asllani[1]
Date of birth (1989-07-29) 29 July 1989 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Kristianstad, Sweden[2]
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 London City Lionesses
Number 9
Youth career
2004–2007 Vimmerby IF
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Linköpings FC 37 (21)
2010 Chicago Red Stars 13 (2)
2010–2011 Linköpings FC 26 (7)
2012 Kristianstads DFF 15 (7)
2012–2016 Paris Saint-Germain 59 (39)
2016–2017 Manchester City 15 (2)
2017–2019 Linköpings FC 27 (8)
2019–2022 Real Madrid 63 (24)
2022–2024 AC Milan 34 (15)
2024– London City Lionesses 35 (7)
International career‡
2005–2006 Sweden U17 6 (1)
2007–2008 Sweden U19 15 (5)
2008–2012 Sweden U23 4 (3)
2008– Sweden 209 (50[3])
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Sweden
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place2019 FranceTeam
Bronze medal – third place2023 Australia/New ZealandTeam
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam
Silver medal – second place2020 TokyoTeam
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 06:59, 20 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 09:20, 20 May 2026 (UTC)
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Asllani began her club career with Vimmerby IF and has played in the Damallsvenskan for Linköpings FC and hometown club Kristianstads DFF. In the 2010 season she played in the United States, with Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She returned to Sweden to play for Kristianstad, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and then back to Linköping.

Club career

Childhood and early career

Asllani is of Kosovar Albanian descent, born in Kristianstad to Kosovar parents who had migrated to Sweden. Asllani grew up playing both football and ice hockey, but chose to focus her talents on football. At the age of 15, Asllani started her career at second division team Vimmerby IF. During her time at Vimmerby, she scored 49 goals in 48 matches,[6] establishing herself as a football prodigy. Former coach Cecilia Wilhelmsson praised Asllani's football technique and fitness.[7] After receiving offers from many clubs, Asllani accepted a move to Damallsvenskan team Linköpings FC in 2007,[8] where she made quick progress.[9][10]

Linköpings FC

During Asllani's first season, she generally came off the substitutes' bench early in the games to help her settle into the Damallsvenskan. During the following season, Asllani established herself as a regular starter and was an increasingly valuable member of the squad. In 2009, she helped Linköping win both the Svenska Cupen and the club's first ever Damallsvenskan title. On 4 December 2009 American Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) club Chicago Red Stars confirmed that they had signed Asllani from Linköpings FC.[11]

Chicago Red Stars

Asllani spent a single season in the WPS. She was established as a fan's favourite and in the 7th week of the season, Asllani received the WPS Player of the Week award after Chicago Red Stars' defeat of FC Gold Pride. After her season with the Red Stars, Asllani returned to Sweden and Linköpings FC.

Return to Linköping

Asllani's presence boosted Linköping, especially in the UEFA Women's Champions League. She scored goals against Sparta Praha and Arsenal. However, her season was disrupted by a thigh injury and she departed Linköping at the end of the campaign.

Kristianstads DFF

In December 2011, she moved back to her hometown Kristianstad to play with Kristianstads DFF who had finished seventh in the previous year's Damallsvenskan.

Paris Saint-Germain

Asllani (right) playing for PSG against FCF Juvisy in December 2012

When Asllani had a month left on her contract with Kristianstad she was subject to a transfer bid from Paris Saint-Germain. Although the teams were in dispute over the size of the transfer fee, Asllani flew to Paris and signed a two-year contract in September 2012, after completing a medical.[12] At PSG Asllani was presented to the media by sporting director Leonardo and player Zlatan Ibrahimović, who declared: "If you want to win you need a Swedish striker."[13] Asllani scored 17 goals in her 19 appearances in the 2012–13 Division 1 Féminine, as PSG finished second in the table behind Lyon.[14] On 4 January 2016, Asllani announced on her Instagram account that she had ended her contract with Paris Saint-Germain, where she had played for three-and-a-half years.[15]

Manchester City

On 22 January 2016, English FA WSL club Manchester City revealed that they had signed Asllani to a two-year contract.[16]

Second return to Linköpings FC

On 10 August 2017, it was announced a two-and-a-half-year contract had been agreed for Asllani to return to Linköpings FC. She departed the club by mutual consent on 15 July 2019.[17]

CD Tacón/Real Madrid

After her departure from Linköpings FC, Asllani signed with CD Tacón/Real Madrid on 18 July 2019.[18] Upon Real Madrid's purchase of their license, CD Tacón will operate as Real Madrid's women's team starting from 2020,[19] making Asllani the first Galáctica.[20] Asllani scored 5 goals in 17 league appearances for Tacón in the prematurely ended 2019–20 Primera Iberdrola season. After the rebrand of the team to Real Madrid CFF, she started the season explosively, scoring 8 goals in the first 8 league appearances despite playing in an unfamiliar out-and-out-striker role. In 2021–22, Asllani scored 3 league goals.

AC Milan

On 30 June 2022, Asllani joined Italian club AC Milan.[21] She scored 9 goals in her first season in Serie A.

London City Lionesses

Asllani joined the London City Lionesses of the Women's Championship on 28 June 2024.[22] The club was promoted to the Super League for the 2025–26 season. In their first game against Arsenal on 6 September, Asllani scored London City's first goal in the top flight of football.[23]

International career

In September 2008 Asllani made her debut for the Sweden national team against Romania.[24] Next year she was called up to represent Sweden in the UEFA Euro 2009.[25] Asllani was an important member of the national team during the qualification rounds of the 2011 World Cup, but coach Thomas Dennerby controversially did not select her in the squad sent to the finals. Football pundits, including Pia Sundhage, the Swedish coach of the United States national team, expressed surprise at Asllani's omission.[26]

Asllani playing for Sweden in 2012

Dennerby recalled Asllani to the national squad for the 2012 London Olympics.[27]

Asllani played for Sweden at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team won a silver medal.[28] She failed to score a single goal during the tournament, despite playing in all six of Sweden's games. She scored in the penalty shootout against the United States in the quarterfinals, in which Sweden won the shootout 4–3 after being tied 1–1 during extra time. She again stepped up to take a penalty against Brazil in the semi final, but her weak effort was saved.[29]

She scored in the 5–1 and 2-0 wins over Thailand and Chile at the 2019 World Cup respectively.[30]

In 2021, Asllani was selected for the Sweden squad at the 2021 Summer Olympics. Like in 2016, her only goal was a penalty, this time in the quarter final vs Japan. She took a crucial penalty in the final against Canada, but missed the target from twelve yards, as Sweden lost the shootout, and once again had to settle for silver medals.

On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the 2023 World Cup.[31] She made the final goal in Sweden's match against Australia on 19 August 2023. Sweden won and secured the bronze medals for the team.

Personal life

Asllani is an ethnic Albanian from Koshutovë, Kosovo.[32] Her parents moved to Sweden where she was born. Asllani has a tattoo of a black double-headed eagle, symbolising Albania, on her ankle.[33] She also has the words "Stay Strong" tattooed on the inside of her right biceps.[34]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 16 May 2026[35]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Linköpings 2007 Damallsvenskan 1122——33
2008 Damallsvenskan 21900——219
2009 Damallsvenskan 221235—312818
Total 44225700315230
Chicago Red Star 2010 Women's Professional Soccer 132———132
Linköpings 2010 Damallsvenskan 7300—44117
2011 Damallsvenskan 19442——236
Total 2674200443413
Kristianstads DFF 2012 Damallsvenskan 15732——189
Paris Saint Germain 2012–13 D1 Féminine 191745——2322
2013–14 D1 Féminine 17710—20207
2014–15 D1 Féminine 171330—912914
2015–16 D1 Féminine 6200—0062
Total 593985001117845
Manchester City 2016 Women's Super League 111303081252
2017 Women's Super League 4110—3182
Total 1524030112334
Linköpings 2017 Damallsvenskan 9062——152
2018 Damallsvenskan 19934—402613
2019 Damallsvenskan 6100——61
Total 341091600404716
Real Madrid 2019–20 Primera División 17 5 1 1 — — 18 6
2020–21 Primera División 29 16 1 1 — — 30 17
2021–22 Primera División 17 3 1 1 — 3 2 21 4
Total 63 24 3 3 0 0 3 2 69 27
AC Milan 2022–23 Serie A 17 9 1 1 — — 18 10
2023–24 Serie A 17 6 3 0 — — 20 6
Total 34 15 4 1 0 0 0 0 38 16
London City Lionnesses 2024–25 Women's Championship 1652 11 0—196
2025–26 Women's Super League 19 2 2 0 0 0 — 21 2
Total 35 7 4 1 1 0 0 0 40 8
Career total 3381284427403610422165
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International

As of match played 7 March 2026[36]
More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Sweden 200820
2009142
2010122
201131
2012113
2013155
2014115
2015124
2016123
2017175
2018121
2019176
202060
2021122
2022135
2023132
2024101
2025153
202620
Total20950
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Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Asllani goal.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Kosovare Asllani[37]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 28 August 2009 Turku, Finland  Italy

2–0

2–0

 Euro 2009
2 23 September 2009 Gothenburg, Sweden  Belgium

1–0

2–1

 2011 World Cup qualification
3 26 February 2010 Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal  Iceland

4–1

5–1

 2010 Algarve Cup
4 23 June 2010 Gothenburg, Sweden  Azerbaijan

10–0

17–0

 2011 World Cup qualification
5 21 January 2011 Chongqing, China  United States

2–1

2–1

 2011 Four Nations Tournament
6 31 March 2012 Malmö, Sweden  Canada

3–0

3–1

 Friendly
7 15 September 2012 Gothenburg, Sweden  Netherlands

2–1

2–1

 Friendly
8 23 October 2012 Växjö, Sweden  Switzerland

2–0

3–0

 Friendly
9 8 March 2013 Albufeira, Portugal  Iceland

1–0

6–1

 2013 Algarve Cup
10

5–0

11 13 March 2013 Lagos, Portugal  Norway

1–0

2–2 (pso 4–5)

 2013 Algarve Cup
12 13 July 2013 Gothenburg, Sweden  Finland

3–0

5–0

 UEFA Euro 2013
13 31 October 2013 Gothenburg, Sweden  Faroe Islands

3–0

5–0

 2015 World Cup qualification
14 5 March 2014 Albufeira, Portugal  Denmark

1–0

2–0

 2014 Algarve Cup
15 5 April 2014 Portadown, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland

1–0

4–0

 2015 World Cup qualification
16 14 June 2014 Motherwell, Scotland  Scotland

2–1

3–1

 2015 World Cup qualification
17

3–1

18 21 August 2014 Starogard Gdański, Poland  Poland

2–0

4–0

 2015 World Cup qualification
19 13 January 2015 La Manga, Spain  Norway

1–2

3–2

 Friendly
20

2–2

21 9 March 2015 Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal  China

1–0

3–0

 2015 Algarve Cup
22 30 May 2015 Toronto, Canada  Netherlands

2–1

2–1

 Friendly
23 02 June 2016 Łódź, Poland  Poland

3–0

4–0

 Euro 2017 qualifying
24 6 June 2016 Gothenburg, Sweden  Moldova

2–0

6–0

 Euro 2017 qualifying
25

4–0

26 8 March 2017 Albufeira, Portugal  Russia

1–0

4–0

 2017 Algarve Cup
27

3–0

28 19 September 2017 Varaždin, Croatia  Croatia

2–0

2–0

 2019 World Cup qualification
29 24 October 2017 Borås, Sweden  Hungary

3–0

5–0

 2019 World Cup qualification
30

5–0

31 30 August 2018 Gothenburg, Sweden  Ukraine

3–0

3–0

 2019 World Cup qualification
32 27 February 2019 Faro/Loulé, Portugal  Switzerland

3–1

4–1

 2019 Algarve Cup
33 11 June 2019 Rennes, France  Chile

1–0

2–0

 2019 FIFA World Cup
34 16 June 2019 Nice, France  Thailand

2–0

5–1

 2019 FIFA World Cup
35 6 July 2019 Nice, France  England

1–0

2–1

 2019 FIFA World Cup
36 3 September 2019 Liepāja, Latvia  Latvia

4–1

4–1

 UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying
37 8 October 2019 Gothenburg, Sweden  Slovakia

1–0

7–0

 UEFA Euro 2022 qualifying
38 23 February 2021 Paola, Malta  Malta

1–0

3–0

 Friendly
39 30 July 2021 Saitama, Japan  Japan

3–1

3–1

 2020 Summer Olympics
40 20 February 2022 Algarve, Portugal  Portugal

3–0

4–0

 2022 Algarve Cup
41 7 April 2022 Gori, Georgia  Georgia

13–0

15–0

 2023 World Cup qualification
42

14–0

43 12 April 2022 Gothenburg, Sweden  Republic of Ireland

1–1

1–1

 2023 World Cup qualification
44 17 July 2022 Leigh, Greater Manchester, England  Portugal

4–0

5–0

 UEFA Women's Euro 2022
45 19 August 2023 Brisbane, Australia  Australia

2–0

2–0

 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
46 5 December 2023 Málaga, Spain  Spain

2–1

3–5

 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League
47 3 December 2024 Stockholm, Sweden  Serbia

2–0

6–0

 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs
48 4 April 2025 Solna, Sweden  Italy

1–1

3–2

 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League A
49 8 July 2025 Allmend Stadion Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland  Poland 2–0 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2025
50 17 July 2025 Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland  England 1–0 2–2
(2–3 p)
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Honours

Linköpings FC

Manchester City

Sweden

Individual

References

External links

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