Kristian Pedersen Explained

Kristian Pedersen
Fullname:Kristian Majdahl Pedersen[1]
Birth Date:1994 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Ringsted, Denmark
Height:1.89 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Swansea City
Clubnumber:3
Clubs1:Benløse IF
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:–2014
Clubs2:Ringsted IF
Years3:2014–2016
Clubs3:HB Køge
Caps3:58
Goals3:2
Years4:2016–2018
Clubs4:Union Berlin
Caps4:61
Goals4:1
Years5:2018–2022
Clubs5:Birmingham City
Caps5:155
Goals5:9
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:1. FC Köln
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Swansea City
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2024
Clubs8:Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Caps8:4
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2016
Nationalteam1:Denmark U21
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2020
Nationalteam2:Denmark
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:13:46, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

Kristian Majdahl Pedersen (born 4 August 1994) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Swansea City, and for the Denmark national team. He plays predominantly at left back but can also play at centre back.

He has represented his country at under-21 level,[2] and made his senior debut in 2020.

Club career

He started his early career at Benløse IF, before moving to fourth division side Ringsted IF.

HB Køge

He signed for HB Køge on 24 July 2014 under Head Coach Henrik Pedersen. His debut for HB Køge came on 25 July 2014 when he came on as a substitute with the score at 1–1 on the first day of the first division in the away game at Skive IK in the 77th minute. On 19 April 2015 he scored his first goal for HBK against AB in a 3–0 win.

In the 2015/16 winter break he joined German Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach on trial but a move did not materialise. In the second half he came for HB Køge to twelve games in the Danish second division.

Pedersen went on to play on more than 50 occasions for the club, scoring twice in total, against AB and Skive.

Union Berlin

Following two seasons at Køge, he signed for German 2. Bundesliga side Union Berlin in 2016. on a three-year deal.[3] He made his debut for Union Berlin on 6 August 2016 against VfL Bochum in a 2–1 defeat.[4] 30 September 2016, Pedersen received a red card against 1. FC Nürnberg.[4]

Pedersen scored his first goal for Union Berlin on 24 February 2018, in a 2–1 win against SV Sandhausen.[4]

Birmingham City

Pedersen signed a four-year contract with English Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City on 25 June 2018; the fee was undisclosed.[5] However, Birmingham's unaddressed Financial Fair Play issues left the English Football League (EFL) "exceptionally disappointed" that the club had nevertheless proceeded with a purchase, and they refused to register him. Two days before the season was due to start, and "after consideration of the legal position as between the Club, Player and the EFL", an agreement was reached such that Pedersen's registration was allowed.[6] He duly made his debut on the opening day, starting at left back in a 2–2 draw at home to Norwich City.[7]

1. FC Köln

In July 2022, he joined 1. FC Köln on a free transfer.[8]

Swansea City

Pedersen signed a two-year contract with Championship club Swansea City on 1 September 2023; the fee was undisclosed.[9]

Having played little, in part because of injury, Pedersen joined divisional rivals Sheffield Wednesday on 1 February 2024 on loan for the remainder of the season.[10] He made his debut that weekend starting in the 4–0 defeat to Huddersfield Town.[11]

International career

Pedersen has represented Denmark U-21's, making his debut in 2016 against Ukraine.

Pedersen made his senior international debut on 7 October 2020 in a friendly match against the Faroe Islands.[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
HB Køge2014–15[13] Danish 1st Division28130311
2015–16[14] Danish 1st Division30131332
Total58261643
Union Berlin2016–172. Bundesliga29020310
2017–182. Bundesliga32110331
Total61130641
Birmingham City2018–19EFL Championship3910000391
2019–20EFL Championship4444000484
2020–21EFL Championship3520010362
2021–22EFL Championship3721000382
Total155950101619
1. FC Köln2022–23Bundesliga601070140
2023–24[15] Bundesliga000000
Total601070140
Swansea City2023–24EFL Championship40100050
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)2023–24EFL Championship4040
Career total28812161107031213

Notes and References

  1. News: Kristian Pedersens unmögliche Karriere . Kristian Pedersen's impossible career . . 19 February 2017 . 8 October 2020 . de.
  2. Web site: Phil Hay. Whites Want Danish Full Back Kristian Pedersen. Yorkshire Evening Post. 9 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Kristian Pedersens unmögliche Karriere. Sebastian. Stier. 19 February 2017. Tagesspiegel.
  4. Web site: Kristian Pedersen – Football Stats – Birmingham City – Season 2016/2017 – Soccer Base. www.soccerbase.com.
  5. News: Kristian Pedersen: Birmingham City boss Garry Monk makes his first signing . BBC Sport . 25 June 2018 . 1 July 2018.
  6. Web site: Birmingham City: Profitability and Sustainability . English Football League . 2 August 2018 . 5 August 2018.
  7. News: Mags is magic but there wasn't enough support – How Birmingham City rated . Brian . Dick . Birmingham Mail . 5 August 2018 . 5 August 2018.
  8. Web site: Köln verpflichtet Abwehrspieler Pedersen . kicker . de.
  9. News: Swansea City complete first deadline day signing as Kristian Pedersen reveals why he made Swans move . Tom . Coleman . Wales Online . 1 September 2023 . 2 February 2024.
  10. News: Swansea City transfer deadline day as it happened: Swans complete three signings as Kristian Pedersen joins Sheffield Wednesday . Tom . Coleman . Wales Online . 2 February 2024 . 2 February 2024.
  11. News: Pedersen starts against Huddersfield. Sheffield Wednesday FC . 3 February 2024 . 3 February 2024.
  12. News: Denmark v Faroe Islands . BBC Sport . 7 October 2020 . 7 October 2020.
  13. For Danish Cup rounds not covered by Soccerway: Web site: HB Køge er klar til 2. runde i DBU Pokalen . Danish . HB Køge are in the 2nd round of the DBU Cup . HB Køge . 27 August 2014 . 5 August 2018.
    Web site: HB Køge sikkert videre efter sejr over Næsby . Danish . HB Køge safely through after victory over Næsby . Jesper . Nybo . HB Køge . 24 September 2014 . 5 August 2018.
    Web site: Fortjent sejr da HB Køge spillede sig videre . Danish . Deserved win as HB Køge play on . HB Køge . 29 October 2014 . 5 August 2018.
  14. For Danish Cup rounds not covered by Soccerway: Web site: Kristian Pedersen . FootballDatabase.eu . 5 August 2018.
  15. Web site: K. Pedersen . Soccerway . Perform Group . 21 October 2023.