– Eskil is a player profile at a good age who can play in both full-back positions. Despite his young age, he has already had time to prove that he is an established top player, says AIK Football’s sporting director Thomas Berntsen.
– It feels incredibly good to be in AIK and I look forward to playing for the club. I have received very good signals both from Thomas Berntsen and Henning Berg, and it is clear that there is a special atmosphere in and around the club, says Eskil Edh.
21-year-old Eskil Smidesang Edh was born on August 4, 2002 in Lillestrøm, Norway. He received his football upbringing in the local football association Lillestrøm SK – which he has also represented throughout his football career with the exception of the 2017 season when he was loaned to Skjetten SK.
As a newly 18-year-old, Eskil would make his debut for the A team on September 21, 2020, when he was substituted in the 92nd minute of the home meeting with Kongsvinger in place of old AIK acquaintance Daniel Gustavsson – and he would already be able to cash in a few minutes later his first win at A-team level with the parent club (2–0). Only four days later, the next playing opportunity would come when in the 83rd minute of the match he had to enter the field when Lillestrøm SK defeated Strommen IF away from home. Lillestrøm SK, who were in the country’s second highest division at this time, would have a fine season and place in second place which meant a direct promotion to the Eliteserien in 2021. Eskil who had made two short forays in the 2020 season would receive the confidence of the club and on November 2, 2020 it was communicated that Eskil had signed his first A-team contract with a contract until December 31, 2023.
The 2021 season would mean more playing time for the young defender and on June 25 he had to make his starting debut when Rosenborg BK visited Åråsen Stadium. Eskil was on the pitch throughout as Lillestrøm SK beat the Trondheim club 2-0, and after a fine performance, confidence would increase further as he took a place in the starting XI in five of the seven subsequent matches. On June 28, 2021, Eskil’s first point came when he assisted the lead goal in the 55th minute of the match at home with Sarpsborg 08 FF, a match that the home team eventually won with the numbers 2–0.
Lillestrøm SK had an impressive season as a newcomer in the top league and before the last two rounds they had the chance to place themselves in a top four position which meant that they then qualified for the European qualifiers in the 2022 season.
In the penultimate round, the club traveled to Aker Stadion in Molde to play a tough away game against league leaders Molde FK. Eskil had once again taken his place in the starting eleven and was able to score his first goal for the club two minutes into the second half and with that increase the away team’s lead to 2–0. Molde FK, on the other hand, would both equalize and take the lead during the final stage of the match, but Lillestrøm SK managed to get back and save a point when they made it 3-3 in the match minute 89 – which was also the final score. Eskil, who was on the field for the whole match, would draw a yellow card in the 95th minute of the match, an offense which unfortunately meant that he was suspended until the last round of the league game. Lillestrøm SK was still able to finish the season on top when they easily won over Sandefjord Fotball with 2-0 in the last round and were able to secure European play for the next season. There were a total of 24 games, one goal and three assists for Eskil in his first season for the club.
On February 14, 2022, it became clear that Eskil extended his previous agreement by another year, which meant that his contract with Lillestrøm SK was valid until December 31, 2024. The 2022 season was another year in which Eskil had to both act as a substitute – as well as be part of starting eleven to and from. The big highlight of this season was when, on June 21, he had to make his debut in the European game. Lillestrøm SK had traveled to Finland to face Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho, also known as SJK. Eskil, who had to start the match from the bench, would enter the field in the 70th minute of the match in favor of Lars Ranger in the 1–0 victory. A week later, the doubleheader would be decided at Lillestrøm’s home ground, and the home team would make the process short and they could finally win the match 5–2. The next round of the Uefa qualification, however, would be tougher as they were drawn to face the Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC. Eskil was in the starting eleven in both the home and away match, which Lillestrøm SK ultimately lost by a total of 1–5.
The 2023 season would open with an injury that kept Eskil out of action for the entire preseason – and all the way to the sixth round of the playoffs. However, his season would not be further affected and Eskil was during the remainder of the season an important part of the team and played a total of 25 out of 30 games.
There were a total of 78 games, three goals and five assists for Eskil during his three seasons with an A-team contract at the club. In addition to his career in club football, Eskil also has experience in national team football as he has represented both Norway’s U19 and U21 national teams.
