Hjalmar Ekdal addresses summer speculation over his Burnley future

Hjalmar Ekdal admits he had to consider his “situation” at Burnley this summer amid recent talks of a potential exit.

During the midst of another summer of major change at Turf Moor, the centre-back was among those to be linked with a move away, with Greek side PAOK mentioned as potential admirers.

But a departure never materialised and, after Tuesday night’s transfer deadline, the 27-year-old remains a Burnley player, even starting the midweek 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough.

Speaking for the first time since the window closed, Ekdal admits talks were had over his Burnley future.

“It's always a thing where you have to consider your situation,” he said. “For every player, it's always an opportunity.

“I think for me as well, I've been here a long time. I have one year left on my contract, so the discussion comes up. It's very natural, regardless of what I feel or what the club feels. It's just going to be how it is everywhere.

“I've been here such a long time and I really enjoy it here. It feels like home to me. I know every person in the building.

“I have a good relationship with all the staff, with most of the players that have been here a long time as well. For me, it's always been, like I said, to affect what I can affect. Whatever happens, happens.”

When asked if his contract situation is playing on his mind, Ekdal added: “No, actually, it's not on my mind.

“I just focus on what I can affect. I play as many games as I can, play as good as I can. Then whatever happens, will happen.”

Ekdal has regularly been in and out of the Burnley team since his January 2023 arrival, even heading out on loan to Dutch side FC Groningen at the end of the 2024/25 season.

It was perhaps a surprise to see Ekdal line up alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic on Wednesday night, with his only other appearance so far this season coming against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.

Nicky Hayen’s side came from behind to draw 1-1 against Boro to continue Burnley’s winless start to the new campaign.

The Clarets have taken just two points from their first four league games, as a hangover from last season’s Premier League relegation.

Having not won a game of any kind in 90 minutes since February, Ekdal admits it’s something that is playing on the players’ minds.

“Of course, we're human,” he said. “You can't avoid thinking about it.

“At the same time, we can't stress about it either. The Championship is a very long league, you play a lot of games. The league can have so many different phases.

“There's no catastrophe at the moment, it can change and I know it will change. We're a very good team, we have amazing players, so I’ve no doubt it will change.”

Ekdal returned to pre-season slightly later than everyone else this summer following his involvement for Sweden at the World Cup.

While the centre-back didn’t manage to feature, it was still something he looks back on with fond memories.

“An amazing experience, for sure,” he said.

“I didn't play, unfortunately, but still it was an incredible experience to be there and to see everything.

“You have to get that experience. I'm very thankful for that, to be able to bring that with me the rest of my life.

“To be there with such good friends that we have on the team. It's an amazing group of guys that you spend time with for a month or a bit more. It was an amazing time.”

There was also one particular highlight for Sweden, as they opened their account with a 5-1 thrashing over Tunisia and Ekdal’s Burnley teammate Hannibal.

“We joked about it before, that it's going to be a good game,” he explained. “We also joked about it with all the guys.

“We made them put some bets on for which team we were going to win and that between the guys.

“It was a good feeling to get the win in the end. He was not happy after the game, I'll tell you that. It was good to win.”