Hákon Arnar Haraldsson Scout Report — From Akranes to Lille, a Number 10 Signed Through 2030
Icelandic attacking midfielder/winger Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, signed by Lille OSC from FC Copenhagen in July 2023 on a five-year deal, has become an undisputed starter on the right side of Davide Ancelotti’s 4-2-3-1 this season, wearing the number 10 shirt. Born on 10 April 2003 in Akranes, Iceland, the 23-year-old stands at 1.80m; on 24 January 2026 he signed a contract extension with the club running until 2030, securing his long-term future at Lille.
From ÍA Akranes to Copenhagen: The Gateway to Europe
Haraldsson began his football journey at ÍA in his hometown of Akranes, progressing through the club’s academy between 2006 and 2019 before making his professional debut there that same year. He joined Danish side FC Copenhagen’s academy in 2019 and made his first official appearance on 29 July 2021 in a UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier. Between 2021 and 2023, Haraldsson scored 8 goals in 40 Danish Superliga appearances for Copenhagen, totalling 9 goals in 58 matches across all competitions, and won two Superliga titles (2021-22, 2022-23) as well as the Danish Cup (2022-23).
The Move to Lille and a Contract Through 2030
Haraldsson signed for Lille OSC on 17 July 2023 on a five-year deal (through 2028), in a transfer reported at a 12 million euro base fee plus up to 5 million euros in bonuses. Having since made 93 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille, scoring 16 goals (136 appearances and 23 goals across all competitions), his form was rewarded on 24 January 2026, when the club announced on social media that his contract had been extended by two years, through 2030.
2026-27 Season: A Fixture Under Ancelotti
Wearing the number 10 shirt under Davide Ancelotti in 2026-27, Haraldsson has made 10 Ligue 1 appearances (9 starts), playing 746 minutes and scoring 1 goal, with a FotMob season average rating of 7.08 that makes him one of the squad’s most consistent attacking players. Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, winger or second striker, he operates as one of the creative outlets ahead of the Nabil Bentaleb-Ngal’ayel Mukau double pivot.
35 Caps for Iceland
Haraldsson made his senior Iceland debut on 2 June 2022 in a 2-2 draw against Israel, and as of 8 November 2026 has earned 35 caps and scored 3 goals for the national team. He started 9 of Iceland’s 10 matches in 2026 World Cup qualifying, though without a goal so far in that campaign. He has also represented Iceland at youth level: U15 (4 caps, 1 goal), U16 (6 caps, 3 goals), U17 (15 caps, 1 goal), U19 (3 caps, 1 goal) and U21 (5 caps, 2 goals).
