Kevin Yakob


Kevin Enkido Yakob, known as Kevin Yakob, is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Sweden Under-19 national team and BK Häcken in the Allsvenskan.

Early Life

Kevin was born in Gothenburg, Sweden to Iraqi Assyrian parents.

Club career

Youth career

Kevin spent his early years playing for local side Assyriska BK, a club formed by Assyrian immigrants like his parents, staying there until 2010. At the age of 9 he joined Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg’s academy, staying there for two years. In 2012, Yakob left Göteborg and joined Angered MBIK, where he would spend the next three years.
In 2015, Kevin travelled to England to trial with Sunderland, where he was given a tour of the club’s academy and facilities and met with first team players, including Jermain Defoe. He trained with the club’s academy teams and watched a Premier League match at the Stadium of Light. A move to north England never materialised however.
In 2016, at the age of 15, Yakob joined BK Häcken’s academy.

BK Häcken

During the 2018 pre-season, Yakob was included in BK Häcken’s first team squad in the preparations, playing 4 friendly matches.
In May 2018, Kevin signed his first professional contract with BK Häcken, signing a four-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2022.
Yakob made his debut for the Häcken first team on 27 October 2018, two weeks after his 18th birthday, coming on in the 83rd minute against Dalkurd FF, scoring less than a minute after coming on. The game ended as a 5-0 win for Häcken.

International career

Youth

Yakob was first called up by the Swedish F.A. in May 2018, as part of the Under-18 squad that would be competing in a friendly tournament on the island of Gotland. He came on against Hungary to make his debut for the Sweden U-18s and scored his first international goal on his second appearance against Turkey. He made three further appearances for the Under-18s in September and October 2018.
Yakob was called up to the Sweden Under-19 squad for the Under-19 European Championship qualifiers in October 2018, starting all three matches against Scotland, Wales and San Marino, facing Premier League players like Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour, Liverpool’s Neco Williams and Manchester United’s Dylan Levitt.

Eligibility for Iraq

Yakob is eligible to represent Iraq through his heritage and has been scouted by the Iraqi FA as well as Iraqi media for several years.

Personal life

Kevin’s family are Iraqi Assyrians and they moved to Sweden before he was born. He signed a sponsorship deal with Nike in September 2017.