For most and especially theater lovers, Hjalmar Ekdal is a character in Henrik Ibsen’s play “The Wild Duck”. This was first launched as far back as 1884, four years before the foundation of The English Football League. Strange and fun to see, Hjalmar Ekdal making his debut in the league so many years later, signing for Burnley in January 2023. He has probably little or nothing to do with Hjalmar Ekdal we know from the play, said to be a photograph and a fiction, far from real.
The father of Hjalmar, the footballer, is a known Swedish journalist and tv presenter named Lennart Ekdal. The brother of Hjalmer is also a footballer, his name is Albin Ekdal, a proven Swedish international, with 70 caps. He has at 34 years of age, returned to play for Djurgaarden, after a long career in different European countries, latest playing for Spezia in Italy.
“The Wild Duck” is a famous Henrik Ibsen play, with Hjalmar Ekdal playing one of the main parts, and to date probably more known for most, than the former Djurgaarden and Swedish international defender with 5 caps to his name.
To join Burnley could be looked as an act from the play, as it all changed from promotion to a fight for relegation, joy and fun, the truth looks to come to surface with The Clarets struggling to keep their feet above water.
Ekdal (25) looks to have a role to play for Sweden, being picked regularly since his debut back in 2022. He is part of the Swedish squad this month, taking on Portugal and Albania. The game vs. Portugal became a struggle without Ekdal, he was an unused sub in the 5-2 defeat, as Sweden new head coach Jon Dahl-Tomasson got a troubled start.
After a injury trouble first part of the season, Hjalmar Ekdal, returned to the Burnley team and has since played 6 games as his life in Premier League gradually hopefully will progress and see him keeping his place in the team.
For the play of Henrik Ibsen, it all went into tragedy, and a mess, but hopefully we will see a totally different outcome 142 years later. Not to forget “The Wild Duck” as it is a grim reminder that life in many ways can be far from a dance on roses.
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