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Filip Helander
Filip Helander
from Wikipedia

Filip Viktor Helander (born 22 April 1993) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for BK Häcken.

Key Information

Club career

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Malmö

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Helander made his Allsvenskan debut in a match against Syrianska on 17 October 2011.[3] Helander played the first matches beside Pontus Jansson in defence before being replaced by Daniel Andersson after the second round of matches. On 17 July 2012, Helander signed a first team contract with Malmö until the end of the 2015 season.[4] When Andersson played less and less after the summer break Helander established himself in the starting lineup and finished the season as a regular starter in the defence. Helander played a total of 12 league matches for Malmö during the 2012 season.[citation needed]

The league title winning 2013 season proved to be the real breakthrough season for Helander as he played 18 matches for the club.[citation needed] He was injured in the early stages of the season and was replaced in the starting line-up by Erik Johansson but later reclaimed this spot in the second part of the season.[citation needed] For the 2014 season Helander played regularly throughout the entire season as the club defended their league title and qualified for the group stage of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League.[citation needed] He also scored his first league goal for Malmö in 2014 on 23 August in a 3–0 home win against IFK Norrköping.[5] For his performances in the league Helander was nominated for the award of Allsvenskan defender of the year.[6] He was also nominated for Swedish defender of the year at Fotbollsgalan.[7]

Hellas Verona

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On 22 July 2015, Helander signed for Hellas Verona in the Italian Serie A.[citation needed] On 23 September, he made his debut against Internazionale in a 1–0 defeat at the San Siro.[citation needed] In the next game against Lazio at home he again was in the starting line up and in the 33rd minute he scored his first Serie A goal.[citation needed] Lazio went on to win the game 2–1.[citation needed]

Bologna

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On 31 August 2016, Helander joined Bologna on a season-long loan deal, with an obligation to sign outright at the end of season. As part of the deal, Nicolò Cherubin moved to Verona.[8] On 12 June 2017, Helander joined Bologna on a definitive basis.[9]

The following season, his second with the Rossoblù, Helander found more space in the rotation under coach Roberto Donadoni, playing 29 games.[citation needed] His club season ended early in April 2018 because of an injury, but without risking the World Cup in which he participated as a reserve.

Rangers

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Helander was announced as a new signing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on 13 July 2019.[10] Helander's cost was £3.5 million.[11][failed verification] He made his debut in a Scottish League Cup tie against East Fife, scoring a goal as Rangers came out 3–0 victors.[12]

On 11 March 2021, Helander scored the equaliser for Rangers in a 1–1 draw away to Slavia Prague in their Europa League Round of 16 first leg match.[13]

On 29 August 2021, Helander scored the only goal of the game for Rangers against Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the 2021–22 season.[14] On 15 September 2021, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard announced that Helander would be out for the foreseeable future after having undergone surgery on a knee injury sustained in a 2–1 win over St Johnstone four days prior.[15]

Rangers confirmed on 23 May 2023 that Helander would leave the club at the end of the 2022–23 season.[16]

OB

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On 31 August 2023, Helander joined Danish Superliga side OB on a one-year deal.[17] Made his debut in a 3-0 defeat to Silkeborg IF on 18 September 2023.

He left OB at the end of the season.[18]

AC Omonia

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On 4 July 2024 his signing by Cypriot club AC Omonia was announced.

BK Häcken

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On 29 August 2025, Helander was loaned to BK Häcken until the end of the season.[19]

On 11 December 2025, Helander signed for BK Häcken on a three year contract.[20]

International career

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Helander was called up to the senior Sweden squad to face Moldova in October 2015.[21]

He was part of Sweden's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[22]

In May 2021, he was named in Sweden's squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[23]

Career statistics

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Helander in 2019

Club

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As of 17 April 2022[24]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Malmö FF 2011 Allsvenskan 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012 Allsvenskan 12 0 0 0 12 0
2013 Allsvenskan 18 0 3 0 2[a] 0 23 0
2014 Allsvenskan 28 1 4 1 10[b] 0 42 2
2015 Allsvenskan 12 0 4 1 0 0 16 1
Total 71 1 11 2 12 0 94 3
Hellas Verona 2015–16 Serie A 24 2 2 0 26 2
2016–17 Serie B 0 0 2 0 2 0
Total 24 2 4 0 28 2
Bologna 2016–17 Serie A 11 1 0 0 11 1
2017–18 Serie A 29 0 0 0 29 0
2018–19 Serie A 20 0 3 0 23 0
Total 60 1 3 0 63 1
Rangers 2019–20 Scottish Premiership 8 1 0 0 4 1 6[a] 0 18 2
2020–21 Scottish Premiership 22 1 3 0 0 0 6[a] 2 31 3
2021–22 Scottish Premiership 6 1 2 1 0 0 3[c] 0 11 2
Total 36 3 5 1 4 1 15 2 60 7
Career total 191 7 23 3 4 1 27 2 245 13
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played on 19 November 2023[25]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Sweden 2017 3 0
2018 3 0
2019 5 0
2020 2 0
2021 5 0
2022 1 0
2023 4 0
Total 23 0

Honours

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Filip Viktor Helander (born 22 April 1993) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a left-footed centre-back for club on loan from side Omonia Nicosia until 30 November 2025. Standing at 1.92 metres (6 ft 4 in) tall, he is known for his defensive solidity and aerial ability, having earned 23 caps for the national team without scoring. Helander began his professional career with , joining their youth setup in 2007 and making his senior debut in 2011; he went on to make 94 appearances and score 3 goals for the club, contributing to two titles in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, he transferred to Serie B club for €1 million, where he played 28 matches over two seasons amid the team's relegation struggles. He then joined on loan in 2016, which became permanent for €2 million in 2017—following Bologna's promotion to in 2015—accumulating 63 appearances and 1 goal during a three-year stint with steady mid-table finishes. In July 2019, Helander signed with club Rangers for €3.35 million, forming a key defensive partnership and making 60 appearances with 7 goals, including a standout 2020–21 season where he helped secure the title and . After his Rangers contract expired in 2023, he joined side Odense BK on a free transfer for one year, appearing in 18 matches. He moved to Omonia on a free transfer in July 2024, signing a two-year deal until 2026, during which he played 11 league games in the 2024–25 season. In August 2025, he was loaned to until 30 November 2025, reuniting with his homeland club system and featuring in 7 matches as of November 2025. On the international stage, Helander debuted for Sweden's senior team in 2017 and participated in qualifiers, accumulating his 23 caps primarily between 2018 and 2021. Additionally, he won the with Sweden's youth side.

Early life

Background

Filip Helander was born on 22 April 1993 in , . Standing at 1.92 meters tall, he primarily operates as a centre-back defender, known for his physical presence and aerial ability in the position. Helander was raised in , a city with a deeply ingrained football culture dominated by the historic club , which has fostered community engagement and youth participation since its founding in to promote organized sport among locals.

Youth career

Filip Helander began his youth football journey in his local club, , which served as his mother club in the area. From there, he progressed to nearby Husie IF, continuing his early development in regional youth setups before attracting attention from larger clubs. At the age of 14, Helander signed with the youth academy in 2007, marking a significant step in his progression toward professional football. This move integrated him into one of Sweden's premier youth systems, where he honed his skills as a center-back over the next four years. During his time in the Malmö FF youth ranks from 2007 to 2011, his development in the academy emphasized tactical awareness and ball-playing ability, establishing him as a standout talent within the club's youth structure.

Club career

Malmö FF

Filip Helander made his senior debut for on 17 October 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 home win against at . Having developed through the club's youth academy since 2007, the 18-year-old centre-back began to earn more opportunities in the defensive line during the latter stages of the 2011 season. Over his tenure at Malmö FF from 2011 to 2015, Helander amassed 94 appearances and scored 3 goals across all competitions, including 70 appearances and 1 league goal, while also featuring in cup and European competitions. The 2013 campaign represented his breakthrough at senior level, with 18 league outings alongside established defenders, contributing to a robust backline that helped secure Malmö's title—their 17th Swedish championship—by limiting opponents to just 20 goals across 30 matches. His composure and aerial presence were evident in key fixtures, such as the 2–0 away victory over title rivals in July, where he partnered effectively to maintain a clean sheet. In 2014, Helander solidified his role as a first-team regular, starting 28 of Malmö's 30 league games and netting his maiden Allsvenskan goal—a header—in a 3–0 home triumph over IFK Norrköping on 23 August. These performances underpinned Malmö's successful title defense, their 18th Allsvenskan crown, with the team conceding only 19 goals in the league; notable contributions included his man-marking in the decisive 3–2 win against AIK on 5 October, which clinched the championship. Helander also gained valuable European experience during the 2014–15 season, participating in the group stage after qualified via playoffs. He started all six group matches against Olympiacos, Juventus, and , logging 540 minutes and helping to a memorable 2–0 home victory over Olympiacos in September.

Hellas Verona

In July 2015, Filip Helander transferred from to Hellas Verona in for a reported fee of €1 million, marking his first move abroad after a successful spell in Swedish football that included league titles and European experience. His experience at , where he had established himself as a reliable centre-back, provided a solid foundation for adapting to the tactical demands of Italian football. Helander made his Serie A debut on 23 September 2015, starting in a 1–0 away defeat to Internazionale at the . Just four days later, on 27 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–2 home loss to , heading in a rebound from a set-piece delivery to briefly level the score. His second goal came on 7 February 2016, another header in a 3–3 draw against Internazionale at the , contributing to one of Verona's few points in a challenging campaign. During the 2015–16 season, Helander featured in 24 matches, starting 21, and netted both of his goals while providing defensive contributions amid Verona's struggle at the bottom of the table. As a key part of the backline, he helped anchor a defense that conceded heavily, but the team managed only 28 points from 38 games, finishing 20th and facing relegation to . Despite the difficulties of adjusting to Serie A's physicality and pace, Helander's aerial prowess from corners and free kicks offered occasional threats going forward in a relegation battle marked by just five wins.

Bologna

Filip Helander joined on an initial season-long loan from Hellas Verona in August 2016. The move allowed him to continue his development in , building on his limited experience at Verona. In his debut season (2016–17), Helander featured in 11 matches, scoring once, often partnering with veteran centre-back Daniele Gastaldello in a backline aimed at bolstering defensive solidity. Impressed by his performances, Bologna secured Helander on a permanent basis on 12 June 2017 for a reported fee of £1.8 million. This commitment marked his establishment in Italian football, where he became a regular starter. During the 2017–18 season, he made 29 appearances without scoring, frequently lining up alongside Domenico Maietta after the latter's injury, contributing to a defensive unit that helped finish 15th and secure mid-table stability. In the 2018–19 campaign, Helander appeared 20 times, continuing his role as a key centre-back in a partnership-oriented defense under managers and . His consistent presence across 60 total appearances and one goal from 2016 to 2019 underscored his importance to Bologna's efforts in maintaining status, with the team improving to 10th place in his final season.

Rangers F.C.

Filip Helander transferred to Rangers F.C. from Bologna in July 2019 for a reported fee of £3.5 million, signing a four-year contract as the club sought to strengthen its defensive options under manager Steven Gerrard. His Serie A experience provided a solid foundation for adapting to the physical demands of Scottish football. Helander made his debut in a Scottish League Cup match against East Fife on 13 July 2019, scoring the third goal in a 3–0 victory. Over his tenure from 2019 to 2023, Helander recorded 60 appearances and 7 goals across all competitions, including 36 appearances and 3 league goals. He played a key role in Rangers' triumph, featuring in 22 league matches that season as the team achieved an unbeaten domestic campaign, conceding just 13 goals across 38 fixtures. The following year, Helander contributed to the victory, appearing in 2 matches including a goal in a 3–0 win over Annan Athletic in the fifth round. Rangers defeated Hearts 2–0 in the final to secure the trophy. Helander's progress was hampered by injury setbacks, notably knee surgery in September 2021 following an issue sustained against St Johnstone. The procedure sidelined him until December 2021, with recovery extending into 2022 and limiting his overall availability during his later years at the club. Despite these challenges, his contributions helped Rangers to domestic in two major competitions.

Odense Boldklub

On 31 August 2023, Filip Helander signed a one-year contract with Odense Boldklub (OB) in the Danish Superliga, joining as a free agent following his release from Rangers F.C. earlier that summer. The move was motivated by Helander's desire to regain match fitness after an extended period sidelined by injuries at his previous club. As a centre-back, Helander quickly adapted to the demands of the Superliga, providing solidity to OB's defense during the 2023–24 season. He featured regularly, starting in most matches and contributing to the team's efforts to maintain stability at the back amid a challenging campaign that saw OB relegated to the 1st Division. Over the course of the season, Helander made 23 appearances and scored 1 goal, demonstrating his recovery and reliability in competitive football. Helander's contract with OB expired on 30 June 2024, after which he departed the club without extending his stay.

AC Omonia

On 4 July 2024, Filip Helander signed a two-year contract with , marking his first move to a club outside , , , or . During the 2024–25 season, Helander made 19 appearances for Omonia across all competitions, scoring 2 goals, including 13 in the . As a centre-back, he contributed to Omonia's defensive stability, helping the team secure a third-place finish in the league with 68 points and advancing in European competition before his departure. His aerial presence and positioning were key in several matches, including a goal in league play that underscored his offensive threat from set pieces. In August 2025, Omonia loaned Helander to until 30 November 2025, allowing him to return to Swedish football while his parent club contract runs until summer 2026. This move followed his solid integration into Omonia's backline, building on prior experience at as a pathway to further international opportunities.

BK Häcken

On 29 August 2025, Filip Helander joined on a short-term loan from , with the agreement set to expire on 30 November 2025. As of 19 November 2025, Helander has made 10 appearances for across all competitions during his loan, including 7 in the with 1 goal and 3 in the group stage, logging approximately 900 minutes overall and receiving 2 yellow cards. The loan remains active until its agreed end date, with the club announcing on 26 October 2025 that there would be no extension, leading to his return to thereafter.

International career

Youth international career

Filip Helander began his youth international career with Sweden's under-17 and under-19 teams, accumulating four caps across those levels before establishing himself at the under-21 stage. His progression highlighted his potential as a reliable centre-back, drawing attention from scouts and coaches within the . Helander's most prominent youth international involvement came with the Sweden U21 team, where he earned 19 caps between 2012 and 2015 without scoring a goal. He quickly became a key defensive figure, often partnering with players like to anchor the backline during qualifying campaigns and friendlies. His consistent performances in these matches, including solid tackling and aerial dominance, underscored his role in building a robust defense that prepared him for higher levels. Helander was selected for Sweden's squad at the in the , where he featured in five matches as the team advanced to the final. defeated on penalties to claim the title, with Helander's disciplined defending pivotal in containing threats during the knockout stages. His standout contributions earned him inclusion in the official Team of the Tournament, recognizing his impact alongside teammates like Lindelöf. These achievements at the U21 level directly facilitated his transition to the senior national team later that year.

Senior international career

Helander earned his first senior call-up to the national team in October 2015 but made his debut on 28 March 2017 in a friendly match against at Estádio dos Barreiros in , playing the full 90 minutes as a centre-back in a 3–2 victory. His performances at during the 2016–17 season had positioned him as a reliable defensive option, marking a significant step up from his youth international experience. Helander was included in Sweden's 23-man for the in , selected for his aerial strength and composure in central defence. Although he remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament—including the group stage matches against , , and , as well as the round of 16 defeat to the same opponents—he contributed to the team's preparation and depth during their run to the . In May 2021, Helander was named to Sweden's squad for the postponed tournament. He made his sole appearance in the competition as a late substitute, entering in the 101st minute during extra time of the round of 16 clash against at on 29 June 2021, helping to maintain defensive solidity in a 2–1 loss that ended Sweden's campaign. Over his senior international career, Helander has earned 23 caps without scoring, primarily featuring in qualifiers where his defensive contributions proved valuable, such as completing full 90-minute shifts in the 2019 qualifiers against , , and . His role has often emphasized organized defending and set-piece prowess, supporting Sweden's qualification efforts for major tournaments. Helander also made a substitute appearance in the play-off semi-final against the in March 2022 and earned four caps in friendlies and the in October and 2023, with his last international match being a 2–0 win over on 19 2023.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonsLeague Apps (Goals)Cup Apps (Goals)Europe Apps (Goals)Total Apps (Goals)
2011–201572 (1)16 (2)6 (0)94 (3)
Hellas Verona2015–201624 (0)2 (1)2 (1)28 (2)
2016–201960 (1)3 (0)0 (0)63 (1)
2019–202336 (3)13 (1)11 (3)60 (7)
2023–202418 (0)0 (1)0 (0)18 (1)
2024–202518 (0)1 (0)5 (1)24 (1)
20255 (1)0 (0)0 (0)5 (1)
Career Total233 (6)35 (5)24 (5)292 (16)
These statistics are compiled from data as of November 19, 2025.

International

Filip Helander has represented at youth and senior international levels. At youth level, he featured for the U21 team in the , appearing in 5 matches as Sweden claimed the title. For his senior career with Sweden, Helander debuted in 2017 and has accumulated 23 caps without scoring, including participation in qualifiers for and the , as well as the . He was named in the squad for the but remained unused. His sole appearance in a major tournament came at , where he substituted in for 19 minutes during the round of 16 defeat to .
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
Friendlies50
80
FIFA World Cup qualifying60
30
10
Total230

Honours

Club honours

During his time at , Filip Helander contributed to back-to-back titles in and 2014. In the season, he established himself as a key defender, making 18 appearances and helping the team secure the league championship. The following year, Helander featured in 28 league matches, solidifying his role in Malmö's successful title defense. He also won the Svenska Supercupen in 2014. With , Helander was instrumental in the club's victory, forming a robust central defensive partnership with that underpinned an unbeaten domestic campaign. He also played a part in the triumph, appearing in matches including the round of 32 where he scored the opening goal against Annan Athletic.

International honours

Filip Helander contributed to Sweden's success at the youth international level by winning the , where the team defeated 4–3 on penalties in the final after a 0–0 draw. His strong defensive displays during the tournament earned him a place in the official Team of the Tournament, alongside teammates and .

References

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