Isaac Kiese Thelin: Sweden and DR Congo striker joins SV Ried

Sweden and DR Congo striker Isaac Kiese Thelin has found his next challenge, joining Austrian Bundesliga club SV Ried after a spell without a club.

The 34-year-old centre-forward arrives following his departure from Japanese side Urawa Reds, whom he joined from Malmo in August 2025. He left Urawa at the end of June and spent the opening months of the 2026-27 season without a club before completing his move to Ried on 10 September.

Kiese Thelin brings extensive experience from Sweden and several European leagues. Standing at 1.90m and favouring his right foot, he has also played in Belgium, France, Germany, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Japan during a senior career that began with Swedish club Karlslunds IF.

His most productive spell came in Sweden, particularly during his time with Malmo. Kiese Thelin has made 180 Allsvenskan appearances and scored 71 goals in the competition, while his 16-goal campaign in 2022-23 made him the league’s leading scorer.

He has won the Swedish title four times with Malmo, in 2014, 2020, 2023 and 2024, and lifted the Swedish Cup with the club in 2022 and 2024. He also won the Belgian league and Belgian Super Cup during his time with Anderlecht.

Kiese Thelin’s career has included several moves between clubs. Malmo signed him from IFK Norrkoping in 2014, before Bordeaux brought him to France the following year. He later joined Anderlecht, with loan spells at Waasland-Beveren, Bayer Leverkusen, Malmo and Kasimpasa forming part of his time in Europe.

The forward’s most recent permanent move before joining Urawa Reds came in 2022, when he returned to Malmo from FC Baniyas. He subsequently spent the 2025-26 season in Japan before becoming available for his next club.

Kiese Thelin now begins a new chapter with SV Ried, with his contract running until 30 June 2028.