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Emil Krafth
Emil Krafth
Emil Krafth
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Emil Henry Kristoffer Krafth (Swedish: [ˈeː.mɪl ˈkrɑːft]; born 2 August 1994) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Sweden national team.

Key Information

Developed at Lagan, Krafth had played for Öster, Helsingborg and Bologna, before joining Newcastle United in 2019. He also had a loan spell at Amiens.

Early life

[edit]

Krafth was born in Ljungby, Kronoberg County.[4][5] Both of his parents, Pelle and Pernilla, were footballers, and he joined his mother's club, Lagans AIK, at five years old.[6][7] Krafth was coached by his parents throughout his time at Lagans AIK.[8] He started out playing as a defensive midfielder or striker before switching to defence, eventually playing at right–back.[9]

Krafth has a sister and a brother.[6] When he was fifteen years old, Krafth moved out of his parents’ house to Växjö, attending a football high school there and said it was easy to adapt.[6][8] Growing up, he supported Manchester United.[7]

Club career

[edit]

Östers IF

[edit]

Krafth began his career at lower-division side Lagans AIK.[5] It was with Lagans AIK that he made his senior debut in 2010, aged just 16.[10][8] In 2011, he joined Östers IF in Superettan.[5][10] Krafth debuted for the club at 17 years old, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 win against GIF Sundsvall in the opening game of the season.[11] He quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in either the defender ad midfield positions and impressed in his first season in the Superettan.[5][6][7][12] For his performance at one point, Krafth was named Tipselit Player of the Month for June.[7] Krafth was also named Sveriges Radio Kronoberg Prize for "Sports Surprise of the Year 2011".[13] At the end of the 2011 season, Krafth made thirty–five appearances in all competitions.

Following this, Krafth was linked a move away from Östers IF, as he went on trials, such as, Rangers and Malmö.[8][14]

Krafth dribbling the ball while playing for Östers IF in 2011

Helsingborgs IF

[edit]

Krafth earned a move to Allsvenskan side Helsingborgs IF on 10 January 2012.[15][13] Upon joining the club, he was given number fifteen shirt.[16]

Krafth appeared as an unused substitute in Helsingborgs’ first match of the 2012 season, in a 2–0 win over AIK in the Svenska Supercupen.[17] A month later on 27 April 2012 against Mjällby, he made his Helsingborgs debut, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw.[18] After the match, Krafth's performance was praised by Manager Conny Karlsson.[19] He then appeared in the next three matches for the side, keeping two out of the three clean sheets.[20] However, Krafth suffered an injury that kept him out for weeks and didn't make an appearance until on 28 July 2012 against IFK Norrköping, where he set up the club's only goal of the game, losing 2–1.[21] Krafth then made his UEFA Europa League debut, starting a match and played 65 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–1 loss against Levante on 22 November 2012.[22] Throughout the 2012 season, he found his playing his time, mostly from the substitute bench and made six starts for the side.[23] Krafth went on to make fifteen appearances in all competitions when the season ended.

At the start of the 2013 season, Krafth made his first appearance of the season, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Assyriska in the Svenska Cupen.[24] After suffering a knee injury that he sustained while on international duty, on 18 April 2013 he made his first league appearance of the season, starting the whole game, and set up Helsingborgs’ first goal of the game, in a 4–1 win against IFK Norrköping.[25] Since the start of the 2013 season, Krafth quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in the right–back position.[26] On 27 June 2013 he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 loss against AIK.[27] In addition, Krafth provided assists on three more time later in the 2013 season.[28] He once helped Helsingborgs IF keep two clean sheets on two occasions.[29] At the end of the 2013 season, he went on to make thirty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

At the start of the 2014 season, Krafth helped Helsingborgs IF reach the finals of the Svenska Cupen.[30] However in the Svenska Cupen Final against Elfsborg, he started in the final, playing in the right–back position, as the club lost 1–0.[31] It was announced on 11 April 2014 that Krafth signed a contract with Helsingborgs IF, keeping him until 2016.[32] Since the start of the 2014 season, he continued to be a first team regular for the side, playing in the right–back position.[33] At one point during the 2014 season, Krafth was given the club's vice captaincy.[34] On 3 October 2014 he scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–1 win against Kalmar.[35] Despite missing two matches during the 2014 season, he made thirty–two appearances and scoring once in all competitions.[36]

At the start of the 2014 season, Krafth helped Helsingborgs IF reach the quarter–finals of the Svenska Cupen, as they were eliminated in the quarter–finals.[37] Since the start of the 2015 season, he continued to be a first team regular for the side, playing in the right–back position.[38] However, Krafth suffered a back injury while training that saw him miss one match.[39] But he made his return, starting a match against Elfsborg on 20 May 2015, scoring in a 2–1 loss.[40] Krafth kept two consecutive clean sheets on two separate occasions.[41] By the time he left the club, Krafth made twelve appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Bologna

[edit]

It was announced on 19 August 2015 that Krafth swapped Sweden for Italy as he joined Serie A outfit Bologna.[10][42] It came after when Krafth announced his intention to leave Helsingborgs IF in the summer transfer window.[43] Upon joining the club, he was given a number four shirt.[44]

However, Krafth continued to recover from a back injury that he sustained over the summer.[45] On 24 October 2015 he made his Bologna debut against Carpi, starting a match and played 42 minutes before being substituted, due to a knee injury, as they won 2–1.[46] Following this, it was announced that Krafth was sidelined for the rest of the year after suffering another injury while on international duty with Sweden U21, and continued to do for the first four months of 2016.[47] On 11 April 2016 he made his first appearance in months, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute, in a 1–1 draw against A.S. Roma.[48] Krafth made two more appearances later in the 2015–16 season, including a start against Chievo in the last game of the season.[49] At the end of the season, he made four appearances in all competitions. Following this, Krafth said: "I didn't have a lucky season: the recovery from my injury was longer than expected and it kept me out for a long time. However, it was a year in which I learned a lot, especially in terms of mentality. I always hope to train well and play as much as possible in the championship to come, I intend to show that I am a good right back and show you how much I am worth."[50]

Krafth started in the first four league matches of the 2016–17 season in the right–back position before being sent–off for a straight red card in the 81st minute, losing 3–1 against Napoli on 17 September 2016.[51] After serving a one match suspension, he returned to the starting line–up against Inter Milan on 25 September 2016 and played 80 minutes before being substituted, as Bologna drew 1–1.[52] However, his return was short–lived when Krafth was sidelined on two occasions that saw him out for two months.[53] On 6 November 2016 he returned to the starting line–up, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Roma.[54] Following this, Krafth found himself in and out of the starting eleven for the side, competing with Vasilis Torosidis and Ibrahima Mbaye over the right–back position.[55] He then scored his first goal for Bologna, and set up the club's second goal of the game, in a 4–0 win against Hellas Verona in the fourth round of the Coppa Italia.[56] However, Krafth was sent–off for a straight red card in the last minute, in a 1–1 draw against Cagliari on 29 January 2017.[57] During a 1–1 draw against Genoa on 26 February 2017, he suffered a knee injury and was substituted in the 53rd minute.[58] Initially out in a follow–up match against Lazio, Krafth returned to the starting line–up and started the whole game, in a 2–0 loss.[59] At the end of the 2016–17 season, he made twenty–nine appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

At the start of the 2017–18 season, Krafth was sidelined for two weeks following a muscle injury during the club's pre–season tour.[60] Upon returning from injury, he found himself in the substitute bench, and began competing with Torosidis and Mbaye over the right–back position.[61] Krafth made his first appearance of the season, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 loss against Napoli on 10 September 2017.[62] Following the injury of Torosidis during a match against Atalanta on 22 October 2017, he came on as a 25th-minute substitute and played the rest of the match, as Bologna lost 1–0.[63] Following this, Krafth started in the next four matches in the right–back position before Torosidis returned.[64] At the end of the 2017–18 season, he made twelve appearances in all competitions.

It was later revealed his first team opportunities at Bologna was limited, due to his lack of tactical acumen to succeed in Italy.[65]

Amiens SC

[edit]

On 6 August 2018, Krafth joined Ligue 1 side Amiens SC on a season-long loan from Bologna.[66][67]

Krafth made his Amiens SC debut, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–1 loss against Montpellier on 18 August 2018.[68] In a follow–up match against Stade de Reims, he set up the club's third goal of the game, in a 4–1 win.[69] After the match, Krafth was named L’Equipe Team of the Week.[70] He then scored his first goal for Amiens SC, in a 3–1 loss against RC Strasbourg on 22 September 2018.[71] Since making his debut, Krafth quickly established himself in the starting eleven, playing in the right–back position for the club.[72][73] Later in the 2018–19 season, he later helped Amiens finish in 15th place on the table and secured their survival after a 2–1 victory over already relegated EA Guingamp.[74]

Despite two matches during the 2018–19 season, he made 35 appearances in the French top flight while on loan.[75] Following this, Krafth joined Amiens on a permanent transfer in June 2019 after the two clubs agreed to a €2m transfer.[66][76]

Newcastle United

[edit]

Krafth signed a four-year deal with Premier League club Newcastle United on 8 August 2019 after the side reached a £5m deal with Amiens SC.[66] Upon joining the club, he said: "It feels really good. It's been a busy couple of days, but finally I'm here. I'm very happy to sign for Newcastle and I can't wait to start training with the guys. When a Premier League team wants to sign you, of course you are happy. I know Newcastle is a big club, so I'm very happy to sign here and to be here right now. It's a good moment in my career to take a step forward. The plans Newcastle had for me, I felt like they was fitting me perfectly, so that was why I chose Newcastle."[77]

He made his debut for the club on 19 August 2019, as Newcastle were defeated 3–1 by Norwich City.[78] Krafth then made five more starts for the next two months for the side.[79] Following this, he was dropped to the substitute bench when manager Steve Bruce began using Javier Manquillo and DeAndre Yedlin.[80] On 5 December 2019 Krafth made his first appearance for Newcastle United in two months, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–0 win against Sheffield United.[81] He then started in the third round of the FA Cup against Rochdale, as they drew 1–1.[82] However, Krafth suffered ankle injury against Everton on 21 January 2020 and was substituted in the 28th minute.[83] When the season was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he made fourteen appearances for Newcastle United and recovered from the injury.[84] Once the season resumed behind closed doors, Krafth didn't make an appearance until on 1 July 2020 when he started the whole game, in a 4–1 win against Bournemouth.[85] This was followed up by setting up the club's first goal of the game, in a 2–2 draw against West Ham United.[86] Following this, he appeared in the four out of the last five remaining league matches.[87] At the end of the 2019–20 season, Krafth made twenty appearances in all competitions.

On 14 May 2021, Krafth scored his first Newcastle goal in a 3–4 home league defeat to champions Manchester City.[88]

On 25 July 2022, Krafth extended his contract with Newcastle until June 2024.[89]

On 14 February 2024, Krafth signed a new one-year deal with Newcastle, running until June 2025.[90]

On 20 February 2025, Krafth extended his contract with the club once again, signing a one-year deal until the end of the 2025–26 season.[91]

International career

[edit]

Youth career

[edit]

In May 2011, Krafth was called up to the Sweden U17 squad for the first time.[92] He only made one appearances for the U17 side.

In August 2012, Krafth was called up to the Sweden U19 squad for the first time.[93] He then scored on his debut, winning 2–0 against Finland U19 on 14 August 2012.[94] Krafth went on to make eight appearances and scoring once for the U19 side.

In May 2012, Krafth was called up to the Sweden U21 squad for the first time.[95] Krafth became the fifth youngest person ever to play in the Sweden U21 team, being 17 years and 309 days old when he played in Sweden U21s' match against Malta on 6 June 2012.[96] Krafth then kept three consecutive clean sheets between 5 June 2014 and 5 September 2014 against Iceland U21, Slovakia U21 and Greece U21, all of them were wins.[97] However during a 2–2 draw against Denmark U21 on 11 June 2015, he suffered a back injury that kept saw him miss the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and Sweden U21 went on to win the tournament.[98] A year later on 3 June 2016 against Georgia U21, Krafth scored the U21 side's second goal of the game, in a 3–2 win, which turns out to be his last appearance for Sweden U21.[99] He went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring once for the U21 side.

Senior career

[edit]
Krafth defending during Sweden's match against Romania in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying round.

In January 2014, Krafth was called up to the Sweden's squad for the first time.[100] He made his debut for Sweden against Moldova, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute, and set up the national's side goal for Erton Fejzullahu, who scored twice, in a 2–1 win on 17 January 2014.[10][101]

After a two-year absence from the national team, Krafth was called up to the Sweden's squad for the second time, appearing as an unused substitute against Netherlands and Luxembourg.[102] On 10 October 2016, he started against Bulgaria and set up the national side's second goal of the game, in a 3–0 win.[103] The following year on 10 November 2017, Krafth played 83 minutes in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Second Round Play-off first leg, as Sweden won 1–0 against Italy at the Friends Arena.[104] On 13 November 2017, he appeared as an unused substitute in the game where Sweden held on to force a goalless draw in the second leg at the San Siro to defeat the Italians 1–0 on aggregate in their Russia 2018 World Cup play-off.[105]

In May 2018, Krafth was named in Sweden's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[106] Despite suffering a fever, he appeared in the substitute bench in the national side's first three matches.[107] Krafth made his tournament debut, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Switzerland in the Round of 16.[108] Following a suspension of Mikael Lustig, he started in the quarter–finals against England and played 85 minutes in the match before being substituted, as they lost 2–0, eliminating Sweden from the tournament.[109] After the match, his performance was criticised by ESPN and Expressen.[110] Following this, Krafth appeared three more times by the end of the year.[111]

Krafth was included in Sweden's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[112] He served as a back-up player for Lustig at right-back.

Personal life

[edit]

Krafth is in a long-term relationship with Lina Lundqvist.[113] In November 2019, he became a first time father when Lundqvist gave birth to a baby girl.[114]

In addition to speaking Swedish, Krafth speaks English and Italian.[115][73]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 2 November 2025[116]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Östers IF 2011 Superettan 24 0 2 0 — — 26 0
Helsingborgs IF 2012 Allsvenskan 9 0 4 0 — 2[a] 0 15 0
2013 Allsvenskan 27 1 7 0 — — 34 1
2014 Allsvenskan 28 1 4 0 — — 32 1
2015 Allsvenskan 12 1 0 0 — — 12 1
Total 76 3 15 0 — 2 0 93 3
Bologna 2015–16 Serie A 4 0 0 0 — — 4 0
2016–17 Serie A 26 0 3 1 — — 29 1
2017–18 Serie A 12 0 0 0 — — 12 0
Total 42 0 3 1 — — 45 1
Amiens (loan) 2018–19 Ligue 1 35 1 1 0 0 0 — 36 1
Newcastle United 2019–20 Premier League 17 0 2 0 1 0 — 20 0
2020–21 Premier League 16 1 1 0 3 0 — 20 1
2021–22 Premier League 20 0 1 0 1 0 — 22 0
2022–23 Premier League 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
2023–24 Premier League 17 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 21 0
2024–25 Premier League 12 0 1 0 5 0 — 18 0
2025–26 Premier League 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Total 84 1 7 0 15 0 0 0 106 1
Career total 261 5 28 1 15 0 2 0 306 6
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 November 2025[117]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Sweden 2014 3 0
2015 1 0
2016 3 0
2017 4 0
2018 7 0
2019 3 0
2020 3 0
2021 14 0
2022 4 0
2023 2 0
2024 6 0
2025 2 0
Total 52 0

Honours

[edit]

Newcastle United

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Emil Krafth

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Emil Krafth is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Newcastle United and the national team. Born on 2 August 1994 in , , Krafth is 184 cm tall, right-footed, and wears jersey number 17 for his club. Krafth began his youth career at local club Lagans AIK before progressing to and , where he made his senior debut and played 94 matches, scoring 3 goals. In 2015, at age 20, he transferred to Italian side , appearing in 42 league games over three seasons. After a to in during the 2018–19 season, he joined the French club permanently in 2019 before signing a four-year deal with Newcastle United later that summer for a reported fee of £5 million. Since joining Newcastle, Krafth has made 106 appearances across all competitions as of November 2025, contributing 1 and 3 assists, while helping the team secure a seventh-place finish in the 2024–25 season. Krafth debuted for the senior national team on 17 January 2014 and has since accumulated 51 caps, primarily as a right-back. He represented Sweden at the , the —where the team advanced to the quarter-finals—and . In October 2022, Krafth suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for several months, but he made a full recovery and has since re-established himself in Newcastle's squad. In February 2025, he signed a one-year contract extension with Newcastle, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025–26 season.

Early years

Early life

Emil Krafth was born on 2 August 1994 in , a town in the region of southern . He grew up in a rural family setting on a farm in the small locality of Fallnaveka, near , where his parents, Pelle and Pernilla Krafth, both former amateur footballers, instilled a strong connection to the sport from an early age. Pelle and Pernilla later served as youth coaches at the local club Lagans AIK, further embedding football within the household. Krafth has an older brother, Gustav, who is 1.5 years his senior and also played as a centre-back; the siblings frequently played football together at home, often on a makeshift seven-a-side pitch on the family property, which helped shape Krafth's physical playing style even as a child. This informal play in the close-knit, football-oriented environment of rural Småland fostered his initial passion for the game. These early family influences and local park games laid the foundation for his development, leading to his entry into organized youth football.

Youth development

Krafth began his structured youth football training at the age of five, joining Lagans AIK in his hometown of , , the club where his mother Pernilla had played. Both parents, Pelle and Pernilla, were former footballers whose involvement provided essential encouragement and familial support during his early years in the sport. He progressed through the youth ranks at Lagans , building foundational skills in a lower-division environment that emphasized consistent training and match experience. At age 15, Krafth relocated to to enroll in a specialized football high school, allowing him to intensify his development while balancing academics and daily practice sessions. This move marked a pivotal phase in his teenage years, focusing on technical proficiency and physical conditioning as a defender. In 2010, aged 16, Krafth transferred to the youth academy of , a higher-profile club in the system, where he continued his progression toward senior football. By 2011, his performances drew initial scouting interest, including an approach from the Rangers youth academy, highlighting his emerging potential as a right-back.

Club career

Krafth signed his first professional contract with in 2011 at the age of 16, turning 17 later that year. In the season, his debut at the professional level, Krafth established himself as a promising right-back, making 24 appearances without scoring. His performances contributed to Östers IF's solid mid-table finish in fourth place, ensuring the team avoided any relegation concerns. On 10 January 2012, Krafth transferred to side on a free deal, marking his step up to Sweden's top flight.

Helsingborgs IF

Krafth joined from Östers IF on a free transfer on 1 January 2012, marking his step up to the after early professional experience in the Swedish second division. He made his debut for the club at age 17 on 27 April 2012 in a 1–1 draw against Mjällby AIF, and played in the 1–0 away victory over GIF Sundsvall on 5 May 2012, adapting quickly to the top-flight demands and establishing himself as a promising right-back with strong positional awareness. Over his first season, he appeared in 9 matches without scoring, while contributing to the team's defensive solidity in a campaign that saw Helsingborgs IF finish sixth. In the 2013 Allsvenskan season, Krafth solidified his role, making 27 appearances and scoring once while recording four assists, including key contributions in high-stakes fixtures such as the 1–1 derby draw against rivals on 29 May. His performances helped maintain competitive form, with notable defensive displays in matches like the 2–1 win over on 20 May, where he started and anchored the backline. By 2014, he had become the undisputed first-choice right-back, featuring in 28 league games and scoring once, while aiding the team's run to the final, though they lost 1–0 to . Krafth's defensive work was evident in his tackling and interception rates, contributing to several clean sheets, including in the 0–3 loss to on 25 September 2013, where he played 77 minutes before substitution. The 2015 season saw Krafth continue as a key defender in 12 appearances, netting his third goal for the club, before his departure midway through the year. His consistent starts in derbies, such as the 3–1 defeat to on 3 May 2015, underscored his reliability in intense Skåne rivalries. On 21 August 2015, Krafth transferred to for a reported €500,000, motivated by the opportunity to compete in and pursue European football after three-and-a-half successful years in .

Bologna

Krafth joined Bologna on 21 August 2015, transferring from Helsingborgs IF on a three-year contract for a fee of €500,000. This move marked his professional debut abroad, building on his experience in the Allsvenskan where he had established himself as a reliable right-back. His adaptation to Serie A proved challenging, as the Italian style demanded greater technical precision and tactical discipline compared to Swedish football. Krafth made his Bologna debut on 24 October 2015 against Carpi, starting in a 2–1 victory but exiting after 40 minutes. A recurring back injury hampered his progress that season, restricting him to only four appearances and 146 minutes. Recovery took nearly a year, contributing to his bench role amid competition from established defenders like Domenico Maietta and Adam Masina. The 2016–17 campaign saw improved involvement, with 26 appearances including 16 starts and 1,656 minutes played, as Krafth adjusted to the defensive rigors of the league. However, his opportunities dwindled in 2017–18 to 12 matches (10 starts, 946 minutes), reflecting ongoing selection inconsistencies due to squad depth and tactical preferences under managers Roberto Donadoni and Filippo Inzaghi. Overall, across three seasons, he accumulated 42 Serie A outings without scoring or assisting, underscoring his peripheral status. To secure regular minutes, Krafth moved on to in on 7 August 2018 for the 2018–19 season. This step addressed his need for consistent game time after limited starts in .

Amiens SC

In August 2018, Emil Krafth joined on a season-long from , seeking more regular playing time after limited appearances in . During the 2018–19 Ligue 1 season, Krafth quickly established himself as a key player for Amiens, making 35 appearances and starting 33 matches while accumulating over 2,900 minutes on the pitch. He contributed offensively with one goal and one assist, but his primary impact was defensive, helping anchor the backline for a team fighting relegation. Amiens finished 15th in the league, securing survival with 38 points from nine wins, 11 draws, and 18 losses, four points clear of the drop zone, where Krafth's consistent performances as a right-back were instrumental in their mid-table stability. His form at also sustained his international standing with , where he had already earned a place in the squad prior to the move, and he continued to receive call-ups during the season, appearing in matches. Impressed by his contributions, activated the option to sign Krafth permanently in June 2019 for a reported £1.8 million. Krafth's stint at Amiens ended in August 2019 when he transferred to Newcastle United for a fee of around £5 million, signing a four-year contract.

Newcastle United

Emil Krafth joined Newcastle United from on 8 August 2019, signing a four-year contract for an initial transfer fee of £5 million. He debuted on 11 August 2019 in a 0-1 home loss to . Under manager , Krafth initially served as a squad player at right-back, competing for starts amid a challenging period of mid-table finishes and limited European ambitions. The club's takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium in October 2021 injected significant investment, enabling squad rebuilding and paving the way for Eddie Howe's appointment as in 2021. This shift elevated Krafth's role; he transitioned into a more regular rotation option, valued for his versatility across the backline and reliability in covering for key players like . In the 2022-23 season, Krafth made notable contributions as a deputy right-back, appearing in 13 matches and helping secure clean sheets in crucial fixtures during Newcastle's surprise push to fourth place, earning qualification for the for the first time in two decades. His defensive solidity proved essential amid injury disruptions, underpinning the team's record points tally of 71. Krafth's form continued into the 2024-25 campaign, where he featured in 21 appearances across all competitions, supporting Newcastle's fifth-place finish with 66 points and strong home form. His performances highlighted his adaptability, including stints at centre-back, as the club navigated Europa League commitments and domestic challenges. In February 2025, amid ongoing squad stability under the post-takeover era, Krafth signed a one-year contract extension, committing him to Newcastle until the end of the 2025-26 season. This followed a prior extension in 2024, reflecting his enduring utility as a dependable squad member.

International career

Youth career

Krafth received his first call-up to the Sweden U17 national team in May 2011, debuting on 19 May in a friendly match. He made one appearance for the U17 side, participating in qualifiers for the 2012 . In August 2012, Krafth advanced to the U19 team, making eight appearances in total, including matches in the qualifiers. That same year, in May, he earned his first call-up to the U21 squad and went on to feature in 11 matches for the team through 2015, scoring one goal. His U21 appearances included key contributions in the qualifying campaign, such as defensive solidity in a 3-1 victory over U21 in October 2014, where he helped secure a clean sheet in the second half. Krafth was selected for Sweden's U21 squad at the in the but was ruled out due to injury just before the tournament began on 15 June 2015. Following his youth international progression, which paralleled his development at , Krafth transitioned to the senior national team in January 2014, with further opportunities arising in 2015.

Senior career

Emil Krafth made his senior debut for the national team on 17 January 2014, starting as a right-back in a 2–1 friendly victory over in . At 19 years old, he became one of the youngest players to feature for the senior side, marking the beginning of his international career as a reliable defender. Krafth earned his first competitive appearances during the campaign, where he made substitute outings against opponents including and , contributing to 's qualification for the tournament finals despite not featuring in the finals themselves. His role expanded under head coach from 2016 onward, establishing him as a key option at right-back in a compact defensive system emphasizing solidity and counter-attacks. Krafth was included in 's 23-man squad for the , appearing in two group stage matches against and as advanced to the round of 16 before elimination by . Krafth continued to feature prominently in subsequent campaigns, participating in the qualifiers and finals, where he provided depth in the backline during Sweden's group stage exit. In the qualifiers, he started several matches, including victories over and Georgia, though Sweden ultimately missed qualification via playoffs. As of 19 November 2025, Krafth has accumulated 52 caps for without scoring a goal, primarily deployed in defensive setups that prioritize organization and width from full-backs. Following the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Krafth maintained his place in the national team, earning call-ups for matches in 2022–23. Under coach from 2024, and subsequently from October 2025, he featured in the 2024–25 Nations League and the qualifiers. However, Sweden failed to qualify directly, suffering losses to (0–2 and 1–4) and a 1–1 draw with , entering the playoffs. His consistent performances at Newcastle United, particularly in defensive rotations, have influenced his regular selections amid competition from players like .

Personal life and playing style

Personal life

Krafth was born to parents Pelle and Pernilla, both former soccer players, and grew up alongside a brother and a sister in . He is in a long-term relationship with his Lundqvist since their teenage years. The couple welcomed their first child, a , in November 2019. They later had a son in September 2021. Since joining Newcastle United in 2019, Krafth has resided in with his family, describing the city as feeling like home from the outset and noting their successful integration into English life. In his personal time, Krafth enjoys playing , often joining teammates for rounds during training breaks. He has also been involved in charitable activities through the Newcastle United Foundation, including visits to local youth programs like NUCASTLE to inspire young footballers and interactions with schoolchildren. Krafth has faced significant personal challenges from injuries, notably a ruptured in August 2022 that sidelined him for nearly a year, which he described as his biggest career and likened the recovery period to being "in jail." More recently, in 2024, he suffered a broken collarbone in training, which kept him out for several months until his return in January 2025. Despite these setbacks, he has adopted the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" to cope with the physical and mental demands.

Playing style

Emil Krafth primarily operates as a right-back, though his versatility allows him to effectively fill in at center-back when required, providing defensive stability across the backline. His tactical awareness enables seamless positional shifts, as demonstrated in his deployments within various formations during his time at Newcastle United. Krafth excels in tackling and interceptions, often contributing to recoveries in defensive third, while his stamina supports sustained pressing and coverage over full matches. Although his crossing output remains moderate, he demonstrates reliability in delivering balls into dangerous areas when advancing forward. Early in his career, Krafth displayed an aggressive style characterized by high-energy challenges and forward surges during his youth and club debuts in and . This approach evolved into a more composed demeanor under Newcastle manager , where he refined his decision-making to prioritize positional discipline and build-up play from the back. By 2025, his statistical tendencies reflect this maturation, with a focus on progressive passes that aid in transitioning play, though he occasionally exhibits lapses in positioning that expose vulnerabilities against quick counter-attacks. Krafth's profile draws comparisons to fellow Swedish defender , particularly in their shared right-back pedigree and national team overlaps, where Krafth deputized effectively during Lustig's absences. Like Lustig, Krafth emphasizes defensive solidity over flair, but his weaknesses in aerial duels and occasional disciplinary issues highlight areas for ongoing improvement. At Newcastle, these attributes have solidified his role as a dependable squad option, particularly in high-stakes fixtures.

Career statistics and honours

Östers IF

SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
2011240200
201110000
201210000
Total260200

Helsingborgs IF

SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
201290100
201240000
2012U19 Allsvenskan20000
2013271420
201370100
201320000
2013U21 Allsvenskan10000
2014281130
2014U21 Allsvenskan10000
2015121120
Total933970

Bologna

SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
2015/1640000
2015/16Primavera10000
2016/17260012
2016/1731100
2017/18110010
Total451122

Amiens SC

SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
[2018/19Ligue 1](/page/2018–19_Ligue_1)351120
[2018/19Coupe de France](/page/2018–19_Ligue_1)10000
Total361120

Newcastle United

SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
2019/20Premier League170100
2019/20FA Cup20000
2019/20EFL Cup10000
2020/21Premier League161040
2020/21FA Cup10000
2020/21EFL Cup30000
2021/22Premier League200150
2021/22FA Cup10000
2021/22EFL Cup10000
2022/23Premier League10000
2022/23EFL Cup10000
2023/24Premier League170020
2023/24FA Cup20000
2023/24EFL Cup20000
2023/24Premier League 210000
2024/25Premier League120120
2024/25FA Cup10000
2024/25EFL Cup50100
2025/26Premier League40000
2025/26EFL Cup20000
2025/26FA Cup10000
Total11313130
Krafth spent the 2023/24 season partially with Newcastle United U21 in 2, recording 1 appearance with no goals, assists, or cards.

Career Totals (Club, as of November 19, 2025)

ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
Östers IF260200
933970
451122
361120
Newcastle United11313130
Overall313616242

International statistics

Emil Krafth has represented the national team at senior level since his debut in 2014, accumulating 52 caps without scoring a goal as of November 2025. He has received 7 yellow cards and no red cards during these appearances. The following table summarizes his senior international appearances, goals, and cards by year and major competition types (aggregated where multiple matches occurred within the same category per year; full match logs available via source). Note that did not qualify for , resulting in no tournament appearances that year. Additional appearances in 2025 qualifiers are included.
YearCompetitionAppearancesGoalsYellow CardsRed Cards
2014Friendlies3000
2015Friendlies1000
2016UEFA Euro4010
2017 qualifiers3000
2017Friendlies1000
20182000
2018Friendlies4000
20183000
2019UEFA Euro qualifiers3010
20203000
2020Friendlies1000
2021 qualifiers6020
2021UEFA Euro4000
2021Friendlies3000
2022 qualifiers1000
20224030
2023UEFA Euro qualifiers2000
2024Friendlies4000
20243000
2025 qualifiers2010
Total52070
Krafth's contributions in major tournaments include limited but notable participation. In the , he appeared in two group stage matches (against and ), contributing to Sweden's advancement to the round of 16, where they were eliminated by , without recording goals or cards. At , he featured in all four of Sweden's matches (three group stage and one round of 16 against ), helping the team advance from the group before elimination, again without goals or cards. Sweden's failure to qualify for meant no appearances in the finals. In 2025, he made substitute appearances in World Cup qualifiers against (September 7) and (October 11).

Youth international statistics

Krafth began his international career in Sweden's youth setups, progressing through the age groups with limited but consistent involvement.
Youth TeamAppearancesGoals
Sweden U1710
Sweden U1981
Sweden U21111
Total202

Honours

Emil Krafth has won one major club honour during his professional career. With Newcastle United, he was part of the squad that defeated 2–1 in the 2025 EFL Cup final at on 16 March 2025, securing the club's first domestic trophy in 56 years. Krafth appeared as a late substitute in the match. Earlier, Newcastle reached the under Krafth's tenure but lost 0–2 to Manchester United. At the international level, Krafth has represented in major tournaments without securing a title. He was included in the squad for the , where advanced from the group stage before elimination in the round of 16 by . Krafth also featured in (held in 2021), with exiting in the round of 16. failed to qualify for , finishing third in their qualifying group. No major personal awards have been recorded for Krafth, such as inclusions in Team of the Season or Newcastle United Player of the Month honours up to 2025.

References

  1. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/teams/mens-team/emil-krafth
  2. https://www.transfermarkt.us/emil-krafth/profil/spieler/184528
  3. https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/emil-krafth/150396
  4. https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/111773/emil-krafth/overview
  5. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/148657-emil-krafth
  6. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49278010
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  9. https://www.365scores.com/football/player/emil-krafth-38352
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  11. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/emil-krafth-signs-contract-extension-february-2025
  12. https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/emil-krafth-player
  13. https://fbref.com/en/players/77cf6852/Emil-Krafth
  14. https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/allsvenskan/krafth-jag-ar-bast-om-jag-spelar-fysiskt/
  15. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/emil-krafth.html
  16. https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/4727585
  17. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/emil-krafth-becomes-newcastle-uniteds-fourth-summer-signing
  18. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/who-emil-krafth-swedish-international-16702100
  19. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/54523/Emil_Krafth.html
  20. https://www.celticnewsnow.com/data/emil-krafth/
  21. https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/168/table/superettan?season=2011
  22. https://www.besoccer.com/player/e-krafth-147529
  23. https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/e-krafth-147529
  24. https://www.transfermarkt.us/emil-krafth/leistungsdaten/spieler/184528/saison/2012
  25. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/365326/if-elfsborg-helsingborg
  26. https://www.worldfootball.net/report/allsvenskan-2013-helsingborgs-if-malmoe-ff/
  27. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/419697/helsingborg-malmo-ff
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  30. https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/players/emil-krafth/transfer-history
  31. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/inside-story-emil-krafths-journey-16746673
  32. https://fbref.com/en/players/77cf6852/matchlogs/2015-2016/summary/Emil-Krafth-Match-Logs
  33. https://fbref.com/en/squads/25622401/2018-2019/c13/Amiens-Stats-Ligue-1
  34. https://www.footballteamnews.com/football-results-review/amiens-sc-france-ligue-1-2018-2019
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  36. https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/2018-world-cup-sweden-team-preview-schedule-tv-and-stream-info-squad-and-players-to-watch/
  37. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1178607/2019/09/09/emil-thor-krafth-a-lindelof-rival-and-team-mate-with-incredible-work-ethic-who-is-perfect-for-the-premier-league/
  38. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/krafth-completes-5m-newcastle-move-on-four-year-contract/17qi985jq0nyc16gel8yd1dogd
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5275503/2024/02/14/emil-krafth-contract-newcastle/
  40. https://www.fotmob.com/players/259306/emil-krafth
  41. https://www.svenskfotboll.se/nyheter/landslag/20152/6/krafth-missar-u21-em/
  42. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/386650/sweden-moldova
  43. https://www.transfermarkt.us/spiel/index/spielbericht/2410675
  44. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/04/emil-krafth-sweden-ashley-young
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/emil-krafth/nationalmannschaft/spieler/184528/verein_id/3557
  46. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/international-round-up-krafth-and-lewis-start-in-impressive-victories
  47. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/15/switzerland-sweden-world-cup-qualifier-match-report
  48. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/724919/slovenia-sweden
  49. https://twitter.com/FWagsKids/status/1438795144271040517
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKHOKrohlfU
  51. https://www.imago-images.com/sp/1003160218
  52. https://www.nufoundation.org.uk/news/emil-krafth-meets-future-footballers-learning-at-nucastle-with-newcastle-united-foundation
  53. https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/my-motto-is-what-doesnt-kill-you-makes-you-stronger-emil-krafths-road-to-recovery
  54. https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c880852vqg3o
  55. https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/11/15/full-extent-of-emil-krafth-injury-goes-public-awful-timing-for-newcastle-united/
  56. https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/09/06/an-ode-to-emil-krafth/
  57. https://www.whoscored.com/players/100599/show/emil-krafth
  58. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/emil-krafth-newcastle-united-analysis-16716001
  59. https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/09/25/newcastle-united/1235104-howe-has-praise-for-player-whose-games-improving-all-the-time.html
  60. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp8nz0jep4eo
  61. https://www.transfermarkt.us/emil-krafth/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/184528
  62. https://www.transfermarkt.com/emil-krafth/nationalmannschaft/spieler/184528
  63. https://www.transfermarkt.com/emil-krafth/profil/spieler/184528
  64. https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/733028
  65. https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/664857
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