Who Is... Jordan Larsson? Al Ettifaq's Eastern Derby hero with a king for dad

19/09/2026

Jordan Larsson equalises late for Al Ettifaq in Eastern Derby against Al Qadsiah

Sweden international has worked hard to forge own name in the game and, through first few outings in RSL, is showing his ability

After losing Georginio Wijnaldum in the off-season, Al Ettifaq were always going to be challenged to replace someone that had become almost irreplaceable in his three campaigns at the club.

But in Sweden international Jordan Larsson, the Dammam-based outfit are confident they have found just the man, not only to replicate his goal output, but his influence both on, and off, the pitch.

So, a few games into his Al Ettifaq career, what is it that the 29-year-old will bring to the dressing room?

Al Ettifaq's star summer signing Jordan Larsson

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Pressure Cooker

There’s pressure, and then there’s the pressure of growing up in Sweden as the son of Henrik Larsson, the Celtic, Barcelona and international legend who during his prolfiic spell in Glasgow was known as "King Henrik".

Not only that, but Larsson Jnr's hugely decorated father named him Jordan after a certain Michael Jordan.

Despite that, Jordan was always determined to chart his own path. In fact, Henrik initially didn’t want him to follow in his footsteps - not because he didn’t believe in him, but because he knew the expectation it would bring.

But Jordan was determined.

Famous name: the Al Ettifaq forward's father is Sweden and Celtic legend Henrik Larsson

“He has always wanted me to be strong mentally,” Jordan said of his father’s influence. “He has taught me everything I know about football.”

When Jordan signed with Schalke in 2022, he commented: “I'm here to write my own story.”

Having joined Al Ettifaq last month from FC Copenhagen, the next chapter of that story will be written in Dammam.

Al Ettifaq captain Georginio Wijnaldum scores v Al Nassr — Georginio Wijnaldum scored 36 goals in 96 appearances for Al Ettifaq

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Nothing Came Easy

Despite his surname, Larsson has had to work diligently throughout his career. It would be easy to fall into the trap of assuming that his father opened doors and provided pathways for him, but a look at Jordan’s career trajectory until now shows he has had to earn everything.

After starting out in Sweden, Larsson has spent time in the Netherlands, Russia, Germany and Denmark - and encountered plenty of adversity along the way.

There was the relegation with Helsingborg in 2016, when he was aged only 19 and attacked by masked fans on the pitch after the game along with his father, who was his coach that season.

Jordan Larsson scores dramatic late equaliser in epic Eastern Derby at Al Qadsiah

There was the struggle to adapt and make an impact with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen the following campaign.

But from that came opportunity, first at IFK Norrkoping back in Sweden, and then at Spartak Moscow, from where his career bloomed.

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Taking game to new heights

This will be important for Al Ettifaq after losing Wijnaldum, but firstly at Spartak Moscow, and then more recently at FC Copenhagen, Larsson has proven reliable in front of goal.

In Russia, he finished the 2020-21 season with 15 goals - it was the third most in the league - leading the scoring charts for Spartak as they finished second.

Last season, in Denmark, Larsson managed with 13 goals from 33 matches, to go with eight goals from 19 games the previous campaign. It didn’t happen overnight, but his game was now at a different level.

“He is a player of international calibre and has the ability to decide matches,” said FC Copenhagen sporting director, Peter Christiansen.

His coach, Jacob Neestrup, expanded on what makes Larsson such a talent.

“He is fast, strong in his link-up play, and he can score goals… [and has] high intensity in his pressing game,” Neestrup said.

That last bit is particularly relevant to Al Ettifaq given that’s exactly the style of play new manager Arthur Papas likes to adopt.

Arthur Papas has been tasked with improving Al Ettifaq's RSL standing-1079534 — Al Ettifaq manager Arthur Papas (Australia, 46)

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Man for major moments

After having to live with his father’s reputation for so much of his career, in recent years Larsson has established himself as the man for the grand occasion.

Not only did he score on the final day of last season to help Copenhagen win the Danish league title; only a few days later he was at it again, netting after three minutes to help fire his side to a 3-0 victory against Silkeborg in the Danish Cup Final.

Talk about going out on a high.