Niklas Gunnarsson (born 27 April 1991) is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a defender for Swiss club Xamax on loan from Yverdon-Sport. Gunnarsson has previously played for Norwegian clubs Odd, VÃÂ¥lerenga, Sarpsborg 08, and Strømsgodset, Swedish clubs Elfsborg, DjurgÃÂ¥rdens IF, and IFK Norrköping, Scottish club Hibernian, and Italian club Palermo and Swiss club Yverdon-Sport.
He is the son of former football manager Ronny Geson Gunnarsson. He is known for his trademark long throw-ins, good crossing ability and offensive play.
On 25 March 2012, Gunnarsson made his senior debut for Odd BK against Sogndal in a 0âÂÂ4 loss. Gunnarsson's contract with expired after the 2013 season, after which he signed a three-year contract with VÃÂ¥lerenga and joined the club in January 2014.
Gunnarsson was VÃÂ¥lerengas' first-choice right-back during the 2014 season, starting 29 out of 30 matches in the Eliteserien. He fell out of the team in the following season, after coach Kjetil Rekdal made several changes after a poor display from the team in the Norwegian Football Cup.
Gunnarsson left Norway for Swedish football club IF Elfsborg on a loan move that left VÃÂ¥lerengas fans disappointed after some of his good performances in the previous season. He played 11 matches in the Allsvenskan, scoring one goal and assisting another. <blockquote> "Niklas is an extremely professional player both on and off the pitch and he has done a great job for Elfsborg in his time here. He has been held in high esteem by his team mates and I would like to give him the best recommendations and wish him the best of luck in the future"' â Elfsborg head coach Magnus Haglund speaking about Gunnarsson leaving the club. </blockquote>
On 5 January 2016, Gunnarsson joined Scottish Championship side Hibernian on loan until the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season. He debuted on the ninth day in a Scottish Cup fourth round 2âÂÂ0 win against Raith Rovers. His first goal for the club was the third goal in a 3âÂÂ2 win against Rangers on 20 April. Gunnarsson also recorded a goal against Queen of the South on 1 May. He appeared as a substitute when Hibs won the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902 in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.
On 9 August 2016, Gunnarsson joined Allsvenskan side DjurgÃÂ¥rdens IF on a -year contract. Initially given the number 28 shirt, he changed it to number 5 ahead of the 2017 season. On 10 May 2018, he played as Djurgarden beat Malmö FF 3-0 in the Swedish Cup Final.
On 1 March 2019, Gunnarsson signed a half-year contract with Italian club Palermo. Following Palermo's exclusion from the Serie B, he was released together with all other players, without making any single appearances during his short stay at the club.
On 2 September 2019, Gunnarsson joined Sarpsborg 08 on a contract until the end of the 2019 season.
On 13 February 2025, Gunnarsson was loaned by Xamax in Swiss second tier.
Gunnarsson received his first international call-up from the Norway national football team for friendly matches against Portugal and Belgium in May 2016. He made his only appearance against the former on the 29th day.