Why Malmö Won the Race to Sign Emmanuel Ekong Emmanuel Ekong, son of former Super Eagles midfielder Prince Ikpe Ekong, has joined Swedish giants Malmö FF on a long term deal running until 2029, fending off interest from a host of top European and Swedish clubs. The 22 year old striker left Italian Serie A side Empoli in January to return to his birth country of Sweden. Several Swedish clubs including IFK Göteborg, BK Häcken, AIK, IK Sirius, IFK Norrköping, Västerås SK, and IF Brommapojkarna were keen to sign the talented forward. Abroad, Antwerp Belgium, Sassuolo Italy, and FC Luzern Switzerland also showed strong interest. BK Häcken even made a formal bid, but it was Malmö FF who eventually secured his services with the most attractive offer on the table. According to reports from Fotbolldirekt.se, Malmö’s decisive financial commitment and clear sporting project made the difference in beating out other suitors for Ekong’s signature. Editorial Emmanuel Ekong’s move to Malmö FF is more than a typical January transfer it signals both a homecoming and a strategic career reset. For a player who has spent his formative football years in Italy, returning to Sweden offers familiarity, opportunity, and stability. And for Malmö, it’s a coup. What’s compelling is the calibre of clubs that were circling. From Belgium’s Antwerp to Italy’s Sassuolo, and half of Sweden’s top division, the interest in Ekong was significant. That Malmö managed to outbid these competitors shows just how seriously they’re investing in their future both in terms of talent and ambition. Ekong may not yet be a household name like his father, but this move places him in the spotlight at a club that regularly competes in European tournaments and boasts a strong development framework.