Dejan Kulusevski
A dynamic Swedish winger whose powerful running and creative vision made him an instant fan favorite at Tottenham Hotspur.
Born 2000 (age 26)·Swedish footballer·Birthday: April 25·Generation Z
Biography
Dejan Kulusevski's rise has been marked by a cool confidence and a distinctive, driving style of play. Born in Sweden to Macedonian parents, his technical gifts were evident early, leading him to the Atalanta academy in Italy. His breakthrough was sudden and spectacular: a stellar loan spell at Parma in 2019-20, where his blend of physical strength, close control, and incisive passing earned him the Serie A Young Player of the Year award. A move to Juventus followed, but it was his subsequent loan to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 that truly unleashed him. In the Premier League, his directness and ability to carve out chances for himself and others, often cutting in from the right on his favored left foot, made him a pivotal part of the attack. Kulusevski represents the modern attacking midfielder—strong, versatile, and relentlessly progressive with the ball.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Dejan was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dejan Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Dejan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named Serie A Best Young Player for the 2019–2020 season while on loan at Parma.
- Helped Tottenham Hotspur secure UEFA Champions League qualification in his first half-season with the club in 2022.
- Won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus in 2021.
- Became a regular starter and key contributor for the Swedish national team at major tournaments like the UEFA European Championship.
Did You Know?
He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, but holds North Macedonian heritage and was eligible to play for both national teams, choosing Sweden.
Kulusevski's father is a former professional handball player.
He speaks Swedish, Macedonian, Italian, and English fluently.
He made his senior debut for Sweden before he had made a league start for his parent club, Juventus.
“I don't play with fear. I see the pass, I make the pass.”
