The Norwegian striker, whose full name is Bo Åsulv Hegland has so far been a kind of untapped super talent. – While the media is preoccupied with Norwegian star players such as Erling Braut Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Jørgen Strand Larsen, 21-year-old Bo has slowly built up to something that bodes very well.
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After a tough start, Bo Hegland has finally gained confidence in Djurgården. The Norwegian talks about the frustration last year – and the hunger to prove himself.
“I was very eager to show off,” he says to Fotbollskanalen.
Bo Hegland’s journey so far: From Moss to Djurgården via adversity
Bo Hegland’s path to the Swedish football establishment has been anything but straightforward. In June 2025, he arrived at Djurgården from Norwegian Moss in a transfer reportedly worth €1 million. The expectations were there, but the player’s first time in Stockholm did not turn out as planned.
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He got few chances on the pitch. Tough competition for his place, combined with restrictions related to the foreigner quota, meant that the Norwegian mostly had to follow the team from the stands. He recorded only three games in Allsvenskan.
2026: A whole new story
In 2026, the situation has looked completely different for Hegland. The 21-year-old has so far started eight out of a possible nine games for Djurgården, and he has emerged as a key creative player in midfield. Finally, he has gained the trust he has longed for.
“Football is a lot about self-confidence and trust – more than you think. I’m very happy that I get more chances now, and that I can show what I’m capable of,” he says to Fotbollskanalen.
Hegland admits that the autumn of 2025 was tough, but he is looking ahead.
“There is no doubt that there was no success last year. But I try not to put too much energy into it, and I’m happy that it’s better now,” he says.
“It was a bad situation, and there are probably a lot of things that could have been done differently, but I don’t think much about it now.
“Frustrating not to be able to show off”
“What was frustrating last year was that I didn’t really get the chance to show anything. So I was very eager to show off this year. It took some time during the pre-season to play myself in shape and gain some confidence. Now it feels good,” says Hegland.
He also talks about the dialogue with coach Jani Honkavaara:
“We’ve had a good dialogue, but it’s not about much more than me gaining trust and taking the chance when I’ve been given it. Then it will be easy.
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Thrives in Stockholm – hopes for more points
After a turbulent start, the Norwegian has started to settle in Stockholm – not least when the weather is on his side.
“It’s a very nice city, especially when the sun is peeking out. I really like it here,” he says.
Djurgården started the Allsvenskan with two wins, but have since taken two losses and one draw. That result row places “Blåränderna” in the middle of the table.
“The start of the season has been a bit of both. Both for myself and the team, I am quite satisfied with the performances and most of what happens in the matches. But we would have liked to have taken a few more points as a team, and I would have liked to have contributed with a few more points myself,” says Hegland.
“We want to be at the very top”
So far, the 21-year-old has one goal and one assist in Allsvenskan. He hopes to be able to produce more in the future.
“I want to contribute as much as possible with my qualities – both by playing until goals and scoring myself. And I hope we will be at the very top of the table,” he says.
Now IFK Göteborg awaits at home on Monday.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Another tough game, but if we continue with similar performances as in the last games – with a little better sharpness in the decisive situations – I think it will be good,” Hegland concludes.
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