Emil Forsberg has been an integral part of Leipzig's stunning start to life in the Bundesiga. - © © imago
Emil Forsberg has been an integral part of Leipzig's stunning start to life in the Bundesiga. - © © imago

Ten things: Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg

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RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg has helped his side take the Bundesliga by storm, his five goals and seven assists a major part of the Saxony side’s outstanding form that puts them on top of the league going in to Matchday 13.

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The talented Swede, like the club he plays for, has taken to life in Germany’s elite like a duck to water. We reveal ten things about the 25-year-old’s life and career so far.

1) Football in the family

Football is in Forsberg’s blood; grandfather Lennart played for GIF Sundsvall in the 1950s, father Leif ‘Foppa’ Forsberg became a club legend, scoring 143 goals in more than 400 games for the team during the 1980s and ‘90s, even having his No.10 shirt retired in honour of his achievements with the Giffarna. Known as ‘mini-Foppa,’ Emil went on to make it a hat-trick for the Forsbergs when he made his debut aged 17 in 2009. He scored 24 goals in 97 league appearances for GIF Sundsvall before moving to Malmö FF.

Watch: Forsberg's two excellent assists in Leipzig's victory over Freiburg on Matchday 12:

- © imago / Bildbyran

2) Football focus

Growing up in Sweden, Forsberg tried his hand at several other sports – including hockey – before opting to become a professional footballer. Asked what he would have been had football not worked out, the Leipzig attacker answered, "unemployed, or working with my dad in the fire department."

3) Malmö calling

Forsberg took time to settle into life with Malmö, but once he did, 57 Allsvenskan appearances yielded 19 goals, two top-flight titles and earned him Sweden's Midfielder of the Year award. Several appearances in the UEFA Champions League were another impressive addition to the Forsberg CV.

Read: Ten things on Leipzig striker Timo 'Turbo' Werner

4) Answering his country's call

It was little surprise that his country came calling, and having played for Sweden’s Under-19s, Forsberg won a first senior cap in friendly against Moldova in January 2014. To date he has won 24 caps, scoring the first of three goals so far in the EURO 2016 qualifying play-off against Denmark and starting all three of his country’s outings in France last summer.

- © imago / Eibner

6) Football in the family II

Forsberg’s wife Shanga is also a footballer, and like her husband she plays for Leipzig. They married on 17 July 2016.

7) Deal me in

With a first promotion to the Bundesliga getting closer, Leipzig handed Forsberg a contract extension early in 2016. "This club wants to be the best, and I want to be the best. I have developed all the time and have a major role in the club,” he said after inking in the new three-year deal. “It's perfect for me, I have much more to give and I want to give it to the club."

8) Move on up

Just as he had with all the previous moves up the career ladder so far, Forsberg has taken the step in to the Bundesliga in his stride. His first start came on Matchday 3, and he marked the occasion in splendid style, coolly slotting home the penalty that put Leipzig on the way to a 4-0 win at Hamburger SV.

9) Club form carries over for country

Forsberg is now an established international, and his most recent outing for Sweden saw him put his side ahead against France with a brilliant free kick that swerved away from a static and baffled Hugo Lloris in the French goal. The Leipzig man’s goal was worthy of winning the World Cup qualifier by itself, but despite a Paul Pogba equaliser, Forsberg’s sublime skill showed that he could take his domestic form onto the international stage.