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Joel Voelkerling Persson

Joel Axel Krister Voelkerling Persson (born 15 January 2003) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Eredivisie club Vitesse, on loan from Lecce.

Club career

Born in Dalköpinge, Sweden, Voelkerling Persson played for the academy of local club Trelleborg before joining the youth sector of Serie A side Roma in January 2019, following a successful trial at the Italian club. Initially assigned to the under-17 squad, the centre-forward came through Roma's youth ranks before renewing his contract with the club in the summer of 2020.

During the 2021–22 season, Voelkerling Persson started training with Roma's first team under manager José Mourinho, and made his first bench appearances for the senior squad in several Serie A and UEFA Europa Conference League matches. During the same campaign, he was a part of Roma's under-19 squad that reached the final of the national championship before losing to Inter Milan.

On 13 July 2022, Voelkerling Persson joined newly promoted Serie A side Lecce on a permanent deal, signing a five-year contract with the club. The transfer reportedly commanded a fee of almost €1 million, with a 50% sell-on clause and a buy-back option in favor of Roma.

After struggling with injuries in the first half of the 2022–23 season, the forward made his professional debut in Serie A on 14 January 2023, coming on as a substitute for Lorenzo Colombo in the 72nd minute of a 2–2 home draw against Milan.

On 26 August 2023, Lecce announced that they had agreed with Dutch side Vitesse to transfer Voelkerling Persson and that he was set to complete his medical tests in the Netherlands. The deal was officially completed three days later, with the player joining the Eredivisie club on a season-long loan with an option to buy.