Swedish Football and Hockey Transfer Activity Heats Up in January 2026

Swedish football and hockey clubs engage in significant player transfers and coaching changes ahead of the 2026 season.

    Key details

  • • Djurgården seeks a new coach to replace Priske amid ongoing player transfers in Allsvenskan.
  • • IFK Göteborg and Hammarby pursue key player acquisitions; Häcken finalizes a player buyout.
  • • Malmö FF trains in Spain focusing on Europa League and Allsvenskan with limited new signings expected.
  • • Joel Kellman signs long-term contract with SHL rival Rögle after three seasons with Färjestad.

Swedish sports are witnessing a bustling January transfer season as football and hockey clubs actively reshape their squads ahead of the upcoming competitions.

In football's Allsvenskan, multiple clubs are maneuvering to strengthen their teams. Djurgården is in search of a new head coach to replace Priske. Meanwhile, IFK Göteborg is pursuing a talented player, signaling potential reinforcement of their lineup. Hammarby has positioned itself to acquire a player dubbed 'the new Kanté' at an advantageous price, suggesting a strategic boost in midfield strength. Additionally, a new contender has emerged in the race to sign a star player from Gais, intensifying competition in the transfer market. Concurrently, Häcken has agreed on terms to buy out a player's contract, confirming active acquisitions across clubs.

Malmö FF is preparing earnestly for revenge campaigns in both the Europa League and Allsvenskan, currently training in Sotogrande, Spain. However, key players face absences and exclusions from training participation. A recently signed midfielder expressed admiration for football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović following their first team session. Veteran players have voiced the wish to continue playing. Despite these developments, Malmö FF's sporting director Daniel Andersson cautioned fans not to expect a flood of new signings, indicating measured transfer activity.

In Swedish hockey, experienced forward Joel Kellman has agreed to join SHL rival Rögle for the 2026/27 season, departing Färjestad after three seasons. Kellman, 31, brings extensive SHL experience with stops at HV71, Karlskrona, Brynäs, Växjö, and Färjestad, tallying 219 points in 399 matches. Despite a modest 12 points in 34 games this season, his signing with Rögle marks a noteworthy move, adding depth to Rögle’s roster for the upcoming season.

Collectively, these developments portray an active and dynamic transfer window in Swedish football and hockey, as clubs seek competitive edges through calculated player and coaching changes.

This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

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