The Swedish elite division outfit have announced the capturing of the 24-year-old defender of Ghanaian heritage from their top-flight rivals, with his contractual terms set to expire in 2029
Swedish-born Ghanaian centre-back Leon Hien has joined Allsvenskan side Djurgården IF from Degerfors IF on a four-year contract, the club have confirmed.
The ex-Hammarby youth star caught the attention of The Iron Stoves following his superb outings with the newly-promoted Swedish top-tier side during the 2025 football season.
After snapping up his services ahead of the new campaign, those in charge of the 3Arena outfit have said in a club statement: ''Djurgården boosts the defense when the 24-year-old center back with the familiar surname now joins from Degerfors. It's time for the first new acquisition for the upcoming season when 24-year-old Leon Hien is now ready for Djurgården, with a contract that extends through 2029. A fast, physical and driven center back with both poise and a familiar surname - where Leon's national team-playing brother Isak became a big crowd favorite with the DIF supporters during his time in the club.''
The Ghana-prospect defender spoke to his club's official website right after sealing his transfer move: ''It feels wonderful to sign for Djurgården, one of the biggest clubs in the country. I'm a Stockholm guy at heart too, so that makes it extra big and I'm proud of myself. It was a given for me from the moment Bosse (Andersson) contacted me and no hesitations after that.''
He added whiles revealing pep talk with his brother, lsak Hien who once donned the colours of the DlF before linking up with them : ''We have talked a lot about it and it is clear that it will be even easier when Isak has been here before and knows Djurgården well. So that played into the choice, explains Leon, who watched DIF matches as a child when Jones Kusi Asare made sure that the Hien family was there, wearing match shirts. There were a few DIF matches as a child when I went to watch with my dad and my brothers, so it is part of my childhood.
Sporting director Bosse Andersson added: ''We are very happy that Leon has chosen to come to Djurgården and we are grateful for the trust that he and the rest of the Hien family have shown us. Leon has signed a four-year contract and is an important long-term building block in Djurgården's future team building, and it is also extra fun that he is a Stockholm guy who knows the club well and went to DIF matches as a child.''
''Leon has had an impressive autumn and with his strong defensive performances and fine leadership qualities has been a strong contributing factor to Degerfors surviving. He has had an impressive development in his defensive game with his physique and speed, where he likes to defend his penalty area and is very difficult to face. Something that the best forward in the Allsvenskan, August Priske, noticed most recently at Stora Valla. At the same time, he is skilled with his feet and strong in the main game. So he is a very good Allsvenskan football player who, given his age, will have many good years ahead of him.''
He figured in 26 games by netting twice and assisting once for Degerfors IF in the 2025 Swedish Championship campaign.
Leon is the sibling of Italian giants Atalanta BC defender Isak Hien as both were born to a Swedish mother and Ghanaian father of Burkina Faso descent.
Given his Ghanaian root, he still remains eligible to play for Ghana at the international level, with his elderly brother Hien being cap-tied by the Swedish national team.
