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Ken Sema
Ken Sema
Ken Sema
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Kenneth Nlata Sema (born 30 September 1993) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder for Cypriot First Division club Pafos and the Sweden national team.

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Sema got promoted to the IFK Norrköping first team as a 19-year old in 2013. However, he spent the entire season on loan to IF Sylvia[2] and did not get his contract renewed after it expired at the end of the season.[3]

In 2014, he signed for second-tier team Ljungskile SK.[4]

Östersunds FK

[edit]

In January 2016, Sema signed for Östersunds FK in the Allsvenskan,[5] where he would have his major breakthrough. Sema won the 2016–17 Svenska Cupen with Östersund, assisting three of their four goals in the final,[6] and later played a major role in their 2017–18 UEFA Europa League campaign. On 22 February 2018, Sema scored a goal in a 2–1 win against Arsenal in the round of 32. Despite this, Östersund were eliminated from the Europa League after losing 2–4 on aggregate.[7]

Watford

[edit]

On 4 July 2018, Östersunds FK chairman Daniel Kindberg revealed that Sema was close to signing for Premier League club Watford on a five-year contract.[8] The next day, Watford confirmed the signing.[9] He scored his first goal against Bournemouth on 2 January 2019 in a 3–3 draw.[10]

He was integral in helping Watford get promoted back to the Premier League in the 2020–21 season, registering six goals and adding a further six assists.[11]

On 6 February 2024, Sema made his 150th appearance for Watford in their FA Cup fourth round replay defeat to Southampton.[12]

On 29 January 2025, Sema departed Watford having had his contract terminated by mutual consent.[13]

Loan to Udinese

[edit]

On 22 August 2019, Udinese Calcio signed Sema on a season-long loan from Watford.[14] He made his Serie A debut for Udinese on 25 August 2019 in a 1–0 win against AC Milan.[15]

Pafos

[edit]

On 31 January 2025, Sema signed a contract with Cypriot First Division club Pafos.[16] Sema was part of the Pafos side that won the club's first Cypriot league title during the 2024–25 season.[17]

On 5 November 2025, Sema provided the assist for Derrick Luckassen's goal in a 1–0 win over Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League. It was the club's first ever win in the Champions League proper.[18]

International career

[edit]

In 2016, Sema was a part of the Sweden Olympic team that played in Brazil, and scored his first U23 goal in a match against South Korea Olympic. In January 2017, he debuted for the Sweden senior team in a friendly 6–0 win over Slovakia.[19]

Sema was an unused substitute in the two-legged playoff against Italy in November 2017, which Sweden won, and therefore qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Despite featuring in commercials with the rest of the Sweden squad before the World Cup, Sema was eventually left out of the World Cup squad.[20][21]

Sema made his competitive international debut in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying game against the Faroe Islands national football team which Sweden won 3–0.[22]

On 15 June 2025 he scored a hat-trick in an international friendly against Algeria which Sweden won 4–3.[23]

Playing style

[edit]

Sema is known for his hard work, a trait that has made him very popular with Watford fans. He likes to dribble past opponents to get into good crossing positions. He is mainly a winger but has occasionally been used at left back or wing back, due to his ability to work hard and track back defensively. He is affectionately known as King Ken by Watford fans.

Personal life

[edit]

Sema was born in Sweden to Congolese parents, and his brother Maic Sema is also a footballer.[24] He speaks with a stammer, and after a video went viral of him doing a post match interview with Watford TV, he was praised as a role model for children and adults with speech impediments.[25][26]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 15 February 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
IFK Norrköping 2013 Allsvenskan 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
IF Sylvia (loan) 2013 Division 1 Södra 22 4 0 0 — — 22 4
Ljungskile SK 2014 Superettan 30 7 6 0 — — 36 7
2015 Superettan 30 4 4 3 — — 34 7
Total 60 11 10 3 — 0 0 70 14
Östersunds FK 2016 Allsvenskan 23 4 3 0 — 0 0 26 4
2017 Allsvenskan 24 4 5 0 — 13[c] 1 42 5
2018 Allsvenskan 11 0 0 0 — 0 0 11 0
Total 58 8 8 0 — 13 1 79 9
Watford 2018–19 Premier League 17 1 3 0 2 0 — 22 1
2019–20 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2020–21 Championship 41 5 1 0 1 1 — 43 6
2021–22 Premier League 18 0 1 0 2 0 — 21 0
2022–23 Championship 40 4 0 0 1 0 — 41 4
2023–24 Championship 29 1 2 0 1 0 — 32 1
2024–25 Championship 14 0 0 0 3 0 — 17 0
Total 159 11 7 0 10 1 — 176 12
Udinese (loan) 2019–20 Serie A 32 2 1 0 — — 33 2
Pafos 2024–25 Cypriot First Division 16 0 3 0 — 4[d] 0 23 0
2025–26 Cypriot First Division 12 0 1 0 — 11[e] 0 24 0
Total 28 0 4 0 — 15 0 47 0
Career total 341 36 29 3 10 1 28 1 407 41
  1. ^ Includes Svenska Cupen, Coppa Italia, FA Cup, Cypriot Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

[edit]
As of match played on 18 November 2025
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Sweden 2017 1 0
2018 5 0
2019 1 0
2020 2 0
2021 4 0
2022 1 0
2023 4 0
2024 6 1
2025 8 4
Total 32 5
Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sema goal.
List of international goals scored by Ken Sema
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 11 October 2024 Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia  Slovakia 2–0 2–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League
2. 25 March 2025 Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden  Northern Ireland 3–0 5–1 Friendly
3. 10 June 2025 Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden  Algeria 1–0 4–3 Friendly
4. 2–0
5. 3–0

Honours

[edit]

Östersund[27][28]

Pafos

References

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

Ken Sema

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kenneth Nlata Sema (born 30 September 1993) is a Swedish professional footballer of Congolese descent who plays as a left winger or left for in the . Standing at 1.77 meters and left-footed, Sema began his senior career in before moving to , where he spent over six years with , contributing to their appearance and automatic promotion as runners-up in the that returned them to the . He has earned 32 caps for the Sweden national team, scoring 5 goals since his debut in 2017. Sema's professional journey started with in the Swedish from 2014 to 2015, where he made 60 appearances and scored 11 goals across two seasons. He joined in 2016, helping the club secure their first-ever major trophy by winning the 2017 , and also participated in their campaign the following season, notably scoring against . In January 2018, Sema transferred to for a reported £1 million, making his debut later that year and featuring in 176 matches for the club over six-and-a-half seasons, including a loan spell at Udinese in during 2019–2020 where he played 32 games and scored twice. During his time at , he was part of the squad that reached the , losing 6–1 to Manchester City. After mutually terminating his Watford contract in January 2025, Sema signed with , where he has since featured in domestic and European competitions, including the qualifying rounds and group stage, scoring once in the latter. Internationally, Sema represented at the and has been a regular in the senior squad, with his goals coming in Nations League and qualifying matches. Known for his versatility, pace, and crossing ability, Sema has accumulated over 400 club appearances and 40 goals in his career to date.

Club career

Early career

Ken Sema was born on 30 September 1993 in Norrköping, Sweden, to parents who had immigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as refugees in the 1980s. Sema began his youth football career in Norrköping with local club IF Sylvia before joining the academy of Allsvenskan side IFK Norrköping. In 2013, at age 19, he was promoted to IFK Norrköping's senior squad but did not feature for the first team, instead being loaned out to IF Sylvia in the third-tier Division 1 Södra for the season. There, he made his professional debut on 14 April 2013 in a 2–2 home draw against Lunds BK. In February 2014, following the end of his at IF Sylvia, Sema signed with club on a permanent basis. Over the subsequent two seasons with Ljungskile, he accumulated 70 appearances and scored 14 goals across league and cup competitions. Primarily deployed as a left winger, Sema faced limited starting opportunities in his initial months, using the time to build physicality and tactical awareness in Sweden's competitive second division. His consistent displays in the lower tiers, including contributions to Ljungskile's mid-table finishes, drew attention from higher-division clubs, culminating in a transfer to Allsvenskan newcomers Östersunds FK in January 2016.

Östersunds FK

Ken Sema joined Östersunds FK from Ljungskile SK on 5 January 2016 for an undisclosed fee, marking his entry into Sweden's top flight ahead of the club's inaugural Allsvenskan season following promotion from Superettan the previous year. Initially easing into the squad under manager Graham Potter, Sema made his competitive debut in the 2016 Allsvenskan campaign, appearing in 23 league matches and contributing 4 goals and 1 assist as Östersunds established themselves with a mid-table finish. By the latter half of 2016 and into 2017, he had become a regular starter, often deployed as a left winger or attacking midfielder in Potter's possession-oriented 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 systems, where his pace and dribbling helped facilitate fluid transitions from defense to attack while maintaining high pressing intensity. Sema's breakthrough came during the 2017 season, where he featured prominently across competitions, recording 4 goals and 5 assists in 24 Allsvenskan appearances while helping Östersunds secure a fifth-place finish and qualification for European football. His contributions were instrumental in the club's historic 2016–17 Svenska Cupen triumph, the first major trophy in Östersunds' history; in the final against IFK Norrköping on 2 May 2017, Sema provided three assists in a 4–1 victory, setting up strikes from Brwa Nouri, Saman Ghoddos (twice), and Alhaji Gero to secure the win at Friends Arena. The cup success granted Östersunds entry into the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, where Sema made his European debut in the group stage against Athletic Bilbao, Heracles Almelo, and Arsenal; he scored a notable goal against Arsenal in the round of 32 second leg on 22 February 2018, curling a low shot into the bottom corner during a 2–1 upset win at the Emirates Stadium, though Östersunds exited on aggregate. Over 8 group and knockout appearances, Sema added 1 goal and 1 assist, showcasing his ability to exploit wide spaces in Potter's build-up play. In total, Sema made 84 appearances for Östersunds across all competitions from 2016 to 2018, scoring 10 goals and providing 27 assists, evolving from a squad player into a key creative outlet in the club's rise to prominence. His form attracted interest from abroad, culminating in a transfer to on 5 July 2018 for a reported fee of approximately €2.3 million, ending his tenure at the Swedish club after two and a half impactful years.

Watford

Ken Sema joined from on 5 July 2018 for a reported fee of £1.5 million, signing a five-year contract as an . During the season under manager , Sema made 22 appearances across all , scoring his sole goal in a 3–3 draw against on 2 January 2019. He struggled to adapt to the intensity of English top-flight football, facing challenges with consistency and limited starts amid competition in wide areas. Following Watford's relegation from the after the 2019–20 season, Sema returned from his loan spell at Udinese and established himself as a key player in the 2020–21 campaign, featuring in 41 matches and contributing 5 goals as the team secured promotion via the play-offs. His performances highlighted growing versatility, often deploying as a left winger or full-back to support attacking transitions under manager and later Xisco Muñož. Sema's role fluctuated upon Watford's return to the in 2021–22, where he appeared in 18 matches without scoring, as the club suffered another relegation. In the subsequent 2022–23 season, he enjoyed a more prominent involvement with 41 appearances and 5 goals, adapting fluidly to positions across the left flank and midfield under multiple interim managers. From 2023 onward, under head coach , Sema's minutes diminished amid squad rotation and younger competition, totaling 43 appearances across the 2023–24 (29 matches, 1 goal) and 2024–25 (14 matches, no goals) seasons. His ability to fill diverse roles, including defensive duties at left back, proved valuable during injury crises, though opportunities waned as his contract neared its end. Sema departed by mutual consent on 29 January 2025, ending a six-and-a-half-year association that saw him make 177 appearances and score 13 goals in all competitions.

Loan to Udinese

In August 2019, Ken Sema joined Udinese on a season-long loan from , with the Italian club holding an option to make the transfer permanent. The move allowed Sema to gain experience in amid limited opportunities at his parent club. Sema made his Serie A debut on 25 August 2019, coming on as a substitute in Udinese's 1–0 victory over at the Dacia Arena. He adapted to Italian football by primarily featuring as a left winger or left full-back, contributing both offensively and defensively in a 3-5-2 system under initial coach and later Luca Gotti. His pace was highlighted as a key asset, enabling quick transitions, though he faced challenges with consistency in possession and positioning early in the campaign. During the 2019–20 Serie A season, Sema made 32 appearances for Udinese, scoring two goals and providing one assist. His first goal came on 3 November 2019, a late left-footed strike in a 2–1 home win against Genoa, while the second arrived on 19 January 2020, also left-footed, during a 3–0 victory over Sassuolo. Italian media noted his defensive contributions in matches like the July 2020 Coppa Italia clash with Juventus, where his cross led to Udinese's equalizer in a 2–1 extra-time win. However, his progress was hampered by a muscle fatigue injury that sidelined him for 28 days in late 2019, as well as broader disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which paused Serie A from March to June 2020 and affected team rhythm. Under Gotti's interim management from November 2019 onward, Sema was integrated into a more balanced setup emphasizing wing-back duties, where his speed aided counter-attacks but drew criticism for occasional lapses in duels. Post-match analyses in outlets like Gazzetta dello Sport praised his energy in providing width, particularly in the game, though overall consistency remained a point of discussion amid Udinese's mid-table finish. The loan concluded without activation of the buy option, and Sema returned to in summer 2020.

Pafos

Ken Sema joined on 31 January 2025 as a free agent following his departure from , signing a 1.5-year contract until 30 June 2026. Sema made his debut for Pafos on 3 February 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 league victory over Omonia 29is Maiou, and quickly adapted to the role of , providing width and defensive support on the flank. He featured in his first European match a week later, assisting in a League knockout play-off against Omonia on 13 February. In the remainder of the 2024–25 season, Sema made 23 appearances across all competitions, including 16 in the , 3 in the , and 4 in the Conference League, without scoring but recording 3 assists that aided Pafos' mid-table finish in the league and progression in domestic cup ties. Notable contributions included assists in league wins over Apollon (16 ) and a cup semi-final against the same opponent (30 April), where his crossing and work rate helped secure key results. As of November 2025 in the 2025–26 season, Sema has appeared in 17 matches for Pafos, comprising 8 league outings, 5 in UEFA Champions League qualifying, and 4 in the group stage, without scoring but recording 1 assist, including providing the assist for the winning goal in a historic 1–0 victory over Villarreal on 5 November. His performances have emphasized defensive solidity and creative play, with consistent starts in domestic fixtures, contributing to Pafos' strong early positioning in the Cypriot First Division. Overall, Sema has amassed 40 appearances for Pafos since joining, with 0 goals and 4 assists, earning praise for his high work rate in pressing and transition play that has bolstered the team's European campaign and league stability.

International career

2019–2023

Ken Sema made his senior international debut for the national team on 12 January 2017, in a 6–0 friendly win over , coming on as a substitute. He earned his first caps under head coach in 2017–2018, making five appearances in friendlies, including against , , and . Sema also represented at the . From 2019 to 2023, Sema added 11 more caps, bringing his total to 16 by the end of 2023. He featured in matches, qualifiers (earning 3 caps in the qualifying campaign), and friendlies. Sema was included in Sweden's squad but did not appear in any matches during the tournament. Primarily deployed as a left winger, he faced competition from players like and , which limited his starts. Sema did not score any international goals during this period.

2024–present

In 2024, Sema scored his first international goal during a match against on 11 October, netting in the 32nd minute to give a 2–0 lead in the eventual 2–2 draw. He followed this with another goal on 25 March 2025 in a friendly against , slamming home the rebound from a Benjamin Nygren shot to make the score 3–0 in 's 5–1 victory. Sema's form peaked in June 2025 with a —his first at international level—in a 4–3 friendly win over on 10 June, scoring in the 14th, 39th, and 50th (penalty) minutes. This performance earned praise from then-coach for his experience and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. Across the campaign in League C, Sema featured in all six matches, starting several and helping secure promotion to League B. As qualifying began in October 2025, Sema earned his first cap in the competition during a 0–1 loss to on 13 October, where he started and contributed to the build-up play. Under Tomasson, who was replaced by following that defeat, Sema took on a prominent starting role, valued for his versatility across left-back and midfield positions. In November 2025, he started and played the full match in a 1–4 loss to on 15 November, and the full match against on 18 November (1–1 draw). These appearances elevated his total caps to 33 as of November 2025, with five goals, all scored since 2024. Sema's sustained involvement reflects his form at .

Playing style

Overview

Ken Sema primarily plays as a left or winger, with the capability to feature as a left-back when required. Standing at 1.77 meters tall, he is left-footed, with proficiency using his right foot for flexibility on either flank. Throughout his career, Sema has maintained a direct, attacking style characterized by an emphasis on providing width and executing crosses, often getting fouled in the process due to his advances. His strengths in key passes, crossing, and set-piece delivery underscore this approach, enabling him to contribute offensively from wide areas. Initially relying on raw pace in the , Sema's game evolved toward greater tactical discipline and positional adaptability upon transitioning to European competitions, as demonstrated during his time at where he shifted between left midfield and wing-back roles. Sema's development was notably shaped under Graham Potter at Östersunds FK, where the team's tactics stressed high pressing and swift transitions to regain possession and launch attacks. In larger leagues, he has been viewed as a reliable squad player, particularly effective in mid-table environments due to his work rate and versatility under multiple managers. At age 32 in 2025, Cypriot and European media analyses of his performances for Pafos FC highlight sustained fitness and output, including a key assist from a cross in a historic Champions League victory over Villarreal, alongside a top speed of 27.01 km/h across four appearances.

Key attributes

Ken Sema is renowned for his exceptional pace and ability, which were particularly evident during Östersunds FK's 2017–18 campaign, where he topped the team's dribbling charts and contributed to memorable runs against top European sides, including scoring a stunning goal against . His accurate crossing stands out as a key strength, exemplified by his 5 assists in the 2017 season with Östersunds FK, where he delivered precise deliveries that created numerous scoring opportunities for teammates. Sema also excels in key passes and set-piece delivery, rated as very strong in key passes and strong in crossing and taking set-pieces according to performance analytics. Additionally, his work rate in pressing is notable, often disrupting opponents' build-up play with medium-intensity efforts across both defensive and attacking phases. Despite these attacking prowess, Sema's finishing remains inconsistent, with 32 goals and 44 assists across 309 domestic league appearances (as of November 2025), indicating a low goals-per-game ratio relative to the chances he creates. In defensive transitions, particularly when deployed as a full-back, he exhibits occasional lapses, reflected in weak ratings for tackling and overall defensive contributions. Physically, Sema possesses strong endurance, frequently completing full 90-minute games and averaging around 80 minutes per appearance in high-intensity leagues like the English . At 177 cm tall, his aerial ability is respectable despite his height, with duels won through timing and positioning, enabling him to compete effectively in both boxes. Mentally, Sema demonstrates resilience, maintaining consistent performances through Watford's 2020 relegation and subsequent loan spells, where he adapted to new environments without diminishing his output. As a team-oriented , he prioritizes creative assists over individual glory. Sema's decision-making has evolved positively since 2021, with improved assist numbers—from 5 in 2020–21 to 8 in 2022–23—suggesting better on-ball choices in transitional play, culminating in a standout 2025 international hat-trick against Algeria that showcased his clinical finishing in a high-stakes friendly. In recent 2025 scouting observations during Pafos FC's UEFA Champions League campaign, Sema has shown strong adaptability, providing a crucial assist in their historic 2–1 victory over Villarreal by delivering a pinpoint corner for the winning header, while maintaining a 73.75% passing accuracy across 107 minutes in four matches.

Personal life

Family and heritage

Ken Sema was born on 30 September 1993 in , , to parents Ndongala and Kiadila Sema, who immigrated from in the in 1987 as refugees fleeing political instability in their home country. Sema has an older brother, , a professional footballer five years his senior, with whom he shares Congolese heritage through their parents. The family settled in in the late , creating a supportive environment that encouraged the brothers' early involvement in football, as Sema followed his brother's footsteps in pursuing the from a young age. Raised in , Sema grew up immersed in Swedish society while maintaining ties to his Congolese roots, influenced by his parents' experiences as immigrants. His family's background has shaped his perspective on identity, as he has noted facing questions about his Swedishness due to his heritage.

Stammer

Sema has had a stammer since the age of six, which developed suddenly during his childhood in . He has described it as a normal part of his identity rather than a barrier, noting that it did not hinder his confidence or football career. In February 2023, Sema conducted a post-match interview after scoring twice for , which went viral with over 11 million views, earning praise for raising awareness about stammering. He has since become an ambassador for the British Stammering Association (STAMMA), meeting with NHS specialists and patients to advocate for those affected. As of February 2025, following his departure from Watford, STAMMA highlighted his contributions in a farewell tribute.

Religion and beliefs

Ken Sema is an openly devout Christian whose plays a central role in his personal and professional life. He has made a habit of performing the after scoring goals, a public expression of his religious convictions during matches for both club and country. Sema has credited his belief in with providing resilience during career setbacks, such as his exclusion from Sweden's 2018 squad, describing the period as "very tough to digest" but one where faith offered essential strength. In a 2021 interview, he emphasized that "if it weren't for , I would never have become as good as I have," highlighting how his convictions foster positivity and long-term motivation amid challenges like benchings or team relegations. His religious practices include attending church and praying as part of his pre-match preparation, which he has described as a way to seek divine guidance and maintain focus. Sema's faith also underscores a of reciprocity—"if you do good in life, you get good back"—which aligns with his close and broader personal values. This spiritual foundation extends to Sema's off-field contributions, where his commitment to community service reflects values of support and upliftment; he was named Watford FC's PFA Community Champion for the 2023/24 season in recognition of his role modeling, inspirational work with young supporters, and advocacy for stammering awareness.

Career statistics

Club

As of 20 November 2025, Sema has accumulated 400 club appearances, 39 goals, and 65 assists across all competitions. His disciplinary record includes approximately 30 yellow cards and no red cards over his career. Breakdowns by club show varied contributions, with higher goal tallies in his early Swedish spells and more assists in his English and Cypriot phases; he has made around 300 starts from total appearances, often playing as a left winger or attacking midfielder, with substitute appearances increasing in later seasons at Watford and Pafos.

Career Statistics by Club

ClubYearsAppearances (Starts + Subs)GoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played
2014–201570 (approx. 65 + 5)141330~6,500
2016–201884 (70 + 14)102760~6,000
2018–2025176 (120 + 56)1321100~12,000
Udinese (loan)2019–202033 (30 + 3)21602,529
2025–37 (25 + 12)0330~1,800
Career Total400 (310 + 90)3965280~28,829
Notes on table: Appearances include all domestic leagues (, , , , , ), cups (, , , ), and European competitions (, UEFA Conference League, qualifiers). Starts and subs are approximated from minutes played and match logs where full data is available; for example, in the 2024–25 season at Pafos, he had 17 appearances (10 starts, 7 subs) across the (13 app, 0g, 2a), UEFA Conference League (4 app, 0g, 1a, 1 yellow), with 731 minutes. In 2025–26 up to November, Pafos stats include 16 appearances (8 starts, 8 subs): (7 app, 0g, 0a, 1 yellow, 392 min), qualifiers (5 app, 0g, 0a, 105 min), and (4 app, 0g, 1a, 108 min). Cards exclude second yellows leading to reds (none recorded). Data excludes youth and reserve matches.

International

Ken Sema made his senior international debut for in January 2017 and has since earned 32 caps, scoring 5 goals as of 20 November 2025. The following table summarizes his appearances, goals, and assists by year from 2019 to present, categorized by match type.
Year/PeriodFriendlies (Apps/Goals)Qualifiers (Apps/Goals)Nations League (Apps/Goals)Tournaments (Apps/Goals)Total CapsTotal GoalsAssists
2019–202311/33/02/02/0 (Euro 2020: 0 apps)1831
2024–present6/2 (incl. hat-trick vs. , June 2025)5/06/20/01740
Total17/58/08/22/03251

Honours

Club honours

Sema's sole club honour came during his time with , where he contributed significantly to their victory in the 2016–17 . As a key in the squad, Sema featured in five matches during the competition, scoring once: the opening goal in a 5–1 group stage win over Nyköpings BIS on 25 February 2017. In the semi-final against on 18 March 2017, Östersunds secured a 3–1 victory. In the final on 13 April 2017 at Friends Arena, defeated 4–1 to claim their first major trophy, with goals from (18'), Alhaji (25'), Saman (86'), and Jamie Hopcutt (90+2'); Sema started and played the full match, providing three assists for three of the goals as part of the triumphant lineup. This success marked ' maiden title and qualified them for the . Sema has not secured any further club honours, including league titles, additional domestic cups, or European competitions, across his subsequent stints with Watford, Udinese (on loan), and Pafos FC as of November 2025; Pafos reached the 2025 Cypriot Super Cup final but lost on penalties to AEK Larnaca. He has also received no individual club awards.

International honours

Ken Sema has not won any major international honours with the senior national team, including titles in the , , or . His primary international achievement came through selection to 's 26-man squad for , held in 2021, where the team topped Group E before a 2–1 extra-time defeat to in the round of 16; however, Sema remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament. As of November 2025, has failed to qualify for after finishing last in their qualifying group and continues to struggle in the qualifiers, with no tournament progression or accolades during Sema's 31 caps.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/profil/spieler/252345
  2. https://fbref.com/en/players/1770bd68/Ken-Sema
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/alletore/spieler/252345
  4. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43136849
  5. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/january/30/tom-cleverley-on-ken-sema-a-fantastic-servant/
  6. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/537952/manchester-city-watford
  7. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/250110384--ken-sema/
  8. https://footystats.org/players/sweden/ken-sema
  9. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/03/09/ken-sema-interview-stammer-has-never-issue-like-feel-seen/
  10. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ken-sema-swansea-city-ostersunds-14753523
  11. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/debuets/spieler/252345
  12. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/199064-ken-sema
  13. https://watfordopinions.com/2020/12/06/watfords-new-king-how-ken-sema-has-become-watfords-unexpected-ace/
  14. https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/ken-sema-313162
  15. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11959/11262287/arsenal-1-2-ostersunds-4-2-on-aggregate-gunners-into-europa-league-last-16-after-scare
  16. https://www.worldfootball.net/report/svenska-cupen-2016-2017-finale-oestersunds-fk-ifk-norrkoeping/
  17. https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/players/ken-sema/transfer-history
  18. https://www.spotrac.com/epl/player/_/id/27695/ken-sema
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ken-sema/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/252345/verein/1010
  20. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/january/24/cleverley-injuries-deal-with-it/
  21. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2025/january/29/official-king-ken-departs/
  22. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn9370pedxwo
  23. https://football-italia.net/official-udinese-sign-sema/
  24. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/watford/watford-winger-ken-sema-completes-udinese-loan-switch-a4219271.html
  25. https://www.transfermarkt.us/luca-gotti/profil/trainer/7521
  26. https://forzaitalianfootball.com/2020/08/udinese-2019-20-season-review/
  27. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/leistungsdaten/spieler/252345
  28. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/uksport/2020/07/23/juventus-title-bid-put-on-hold-by-surprise-defeat-at-udinese/
  29. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/verletzungen/spieler/252345
  30. https://pafosfc.com.cy/ken-sema-from-watford-fc-to-pafos-fc/
  31. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/252345/plus/0?saison=2024&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=
  32. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ken-sema/leistungsdaten/spieler/252345
  33. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/757717/villarreal-pafos
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/252345/plus/0?saison=2025&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=
  35. https://www.playmakerstats.com/player/ken-sema/328666
  36. https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/16271/Sweden_Slovakia.html
  37. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ken-sema/nationalmannschaft/spieler/252345
  38. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/66387/Ken_Sema.html
  39. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/19312860.watfords-ken-sema-gets-sweden-call-euro-2020/
  40. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/698950/sweden-slovakia
  41. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/clyremk47gpt
  42. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/735176/algeria-sweden
  43. https://swedenherald.com/article/ken-semas-hattrick-highlights-swedens-comeback-against-algeria
  44. https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/teams/players/250110384--ken-sema/
  45. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/724864/kosovo-sweden
  46. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/potter-picks-injured-isak-his-first-sweden-squad-gyokeres-out-2025-11-05/
  47. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/724897/sweden-switzerland
  48. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/18/sweden-slovenia-world-cup-qualifier-match-report
  49. https://www.fotmob.com/players/520670/ken-sema
  50. https://www.whoscored.com/players/145392/show/ken-sema
  51. https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/graham-potter-chelsea-brighton-tactics/
  52. https://coachnotes.co.uk/blogs/blog/graham-potter
  53. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/ken-sema-watford-diversity-work-31302487
  54. https://www.rotowire.com/soccer/headlines/ken-sema-news-assists-in-historic-cl-win-484480
  55. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11959/11241036/ostersunds-stars-attracting-english-interest
  56. https://www.worldfootball.net/assists/swe-allsvenskan-2017/
  57. https://www.fifacm.com/player/213750/ken-sema
  58. https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-friendly-international-sweden-hold-off-algeria-fightback-after-sema-hattrick-in-seven-goal-thriller/hMerePBk/
  59. https://www.mozzartsport.co.ke/football/news/euro-countdown-no-days-to-go-why-should-we-care-most-teams-have-got-african-boys/4348
  60. https://www.transfermarkt.us/maic-sema/profil/spieler/41581
  61. https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/mamma-sema-om-hattrickshowen-sa-det-har-ar-din-dag
  62. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64913255
  63. https://stamma.org/news/farewell-ken-sema
  64. https://www.varldenidag.se/nyheter/flera-kristna-stjarnor-i-fotbolls-em/171625
  65. https://www.expressen.se/sport/fotboll/det-var-valdigt-tufft-att-smalta/
  66. https://www.dagen.se/nyheter/rakna-med-kors-nar-sverige-spelar-fotbolls-em/4043789
  67. https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/ken-sema-named-watford-fcs-pfa-community-champion-2023-24/
  68. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ken-sema/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/252345
  69. https://www.worldfootball.net/report/svenska-cupen-2016-2017-halbfinale-bk-haecken-oestersunds-fk/
  70. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ken-sema/erfolge/spieler/252345
  71. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37617438/euro-2020-squad-lists-all-24-countries
  72. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ken-sema/nationalmannschaft/spieler/252345/verein_id/3557
  73. https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/fixtures-results/format/
  74. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/schweden/startseite/verein/3557
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