Kasper Schmeichel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kasper Schmeichel

Schmeichel in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Kasper Peter Schmeichel
Date of birth	(1986-11-05) 5 November 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Copenhagen, Denmark
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Celtic
Number	1
Youth career
2000–2001	Estoril
2001–2002	Oure
2002–2006	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2009	Manchester City	8	(0)
2006	→ Darlington (loan)	4	(0)
2006	→ Bury (loan)	29	(0)
2007	→ Falkirk (loan)	15	(0)
2007–2008	→ Cardiff City (loan)	14	(0)
2008	→ Coventry City (loan)	9	(0)
2009–2010	Notts County	43	(0)
2010–2011	Leeds United	37	(0)
2011–2022	Leicester City	414	(0)
2022–2023	Nice	36	(0)
2023–2024	Anderlecht	31	(0)
2024–	Celtic	32	(0)
International career‡
2004–2005	Denmark U19	8	(0)
2006	Denmark U20	1	(0)
2007–2008	Denmark U21	17	(0)
2013–	Denmark	114	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:40, 17 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 June 2025

Kasper Peter Schmeichel (born November 5, 1986) is a Danish professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for Scottish Premiership club Celtic. He also plays for the Denmark national team.

Schmeichel started his career at Manchester City. He was loaned to several clubs like Darlington and Bury. Later, he joined Notts County and then Leeds United.

His longest and most successful time was with Leicester City. He played 479 games over 11 years. With Leicester, he won the Championship in 2014. He also won the Premier League in 2016. In 2021, he helped them win the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.

After Leicester, he played for Nice and Anderlecht. In July 2024, Schmeichel moved to Celtic in Scotland. He won the Scottish League Cup in December 2024 and the Scottish Premiership in April 2025.

Kasper has played many games for the Denmark national team. He has represented his country in major tournaments. These include the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2020, 2022 World Cup, and Euro 2024.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Kasper Schmeichel was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 5, 1986. His father is Peter Schmeichel, a famous Danish goalkeeper. Kasper has Polish family roots through his grandfather.

He grew up in Denmark but spent most of his childhood in England. This was because of his father's football career. Kasper speaks both Danish and English fluently. He even has a Mancunian accent from living near Manchester.

Kasper started playing organized football in Portugal in 2000. He was 13 years old when he began to take football seriously. He played for the Estoril youth academy for one season.

In 2001, he moved to Denmark and attended Oure Efterskole. This is a special school for young people. There, he met a coach who helped him become a better goalkeeper. After a trial, he joined Manchester City.

Club Career Highlights

Starting at Manchester City

Schmeichel making a save while training with Bury in 2006

Schmeichel joined Manchester City in September 2002. He first played professionally on loan for Darlington in January 2006. He then had another loan spell at Bury.

In January 2007, he was loaned to Scottish Premier League side Falkirk. He played very well there. He was even named man of the match against Rangers. He also saved a penalty against Celtic.

Schmeichel playing for Manchester City in 2007

Schmeichel made his Manchester City debut in August 2007. He kept a clean sheet against Manchester United in a 1-0 win. He also saved a penalty from Robin van Persie against Arsenal. He signed a new four-year deal with City in September 2007. He was named the 2007 Danish Under-21 Talent of the Year.

He was loaned to Cardiff City and Coventry City. He wanted to leave Manchester City to play more first-team football. His last game for Manchester City was in December 2008.

Time at Notts County

On August 14, 2009, Schmeichel joined Notts County. He reunited with his former Manchester City manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson. He quickly became a key player.

He won the Player of the Month award in October 2009. Notts County had a great season, conceding very few goals. Schmeichel helped them win the League Two title. This meant they were promoted to League One. He left the club by agreement due to financial changes.

Moving to Leeds United

Schmeichel (in orange) playing for Leeds United in 2011

Schmeichel signed with Leeds United on May 27, 2010. He became their first-choice goalkeeper. He made his debut in August 2010 against Derby County. He was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award for August.

In January 2011, Schmeichel helped Leeds get a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the FA Cup. Arsenal's captain, Cesc Fàbregas, praised his performance. He left Leeds in June 2011.

Success with Leicester City

Schmeichel (rear) playing for Leicester City in 2011

Schmeichel joined Leicester City on June 27, 2011. He reunited with Sven-Göran Eriksson again. He quickly became a fan favorite.

In his first season (2011–12), he played 52 games and kept 17 clean sheets. He also saved four penalties. His great performances earned him the club's Player of the Year awards.

Schmeichel making a save during a match against Cardiff City in 2013

In the 2012–13 season, he continued his excellent form. He kept 12 clean sheets in 28 games. He was even linked with La Liga club Real Madrid. He made his 100th Leicester appearance in April 2013. He was named in the 2012–13 Championship PFA Team of the Year.

During the 2013–14 season, Schmeichel helped Leicester win promotion to the Premier League. He kept nine clean sheets during a 19-game unbeaten run. He signed a new four-year contract with Leicester.

Schmeichel playing for Leicester City in 2014

In the 2014–15 season, he was Leicester's first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League. He suffered a foot injury in December 2014 but returned in March 2015. He helped Leicester avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Schmeichel taking a goal kick for Leicester City in 2016

The 2015–16 season was historic. Under manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester won the Premier League title. Schmeichel kept 12 clean sheets that season. He won the title at 29 years old, the same age his father won his first Premier League title. They became the only father and son to win the Premier League playing in the same position.

In August 2016, Schmeichel signed a new five-year contract. He played in Leicester's first UEFA Champions League campaign. He saved penalties in both legs of the last 16 tie against Sevilla. Leicester reached the quarter-finals.

Schmeichel with Leicester City in 2021

On August 31, 2018, Schmeichel signed another new contract until 2023. He played in every Premier League game in the 2018–19 season. He made his 300th league appearance for the club.

In the 2019–20 season, he played all 38 Premier League matches. He kept 13 clean sheets. Leicester finished fifth and qualified for the Europa League.

On May 15, 2021, Schmeichel captained Leicester to win the FA Cup. It was the first time in the club's history. He made two important saves in the final. On August 7, 2021, he also captained Leicester to win the 2021 FA Community Shield. He led Leicester to their first European semi-final in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Time in France and Belgium

On August 3, 2022, Schmeichel signed a three-year contract with Ligue 1 club Nice in France. He made his debut on August 14. His contract with Nice ended in September 2023.

On September 5, 2023, Schmeichel signed a one-year contract with Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht. He played 31 games for them. He left Anderlecht in July 2024.

Joining Celtic

On July 18, 2024, Schmeichel joined Scottish Premiership club Celtic. He signed a one-year contract. He replaced his former teammate Joe Hart as Celtic's number 1 goalkeeper. He reunited with his former Leicester manager, Brendan Rodgers.

He made his debut for Celtic on August 4, 2024. He kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 win. In September, he achieved his fifth clean sheet in a row. This equaled a club record from 1906.

In December 2024, he won the Scottish League Cup with Celtic. He saved a crucial penalty in the shootout against Rangers. On April 26, 2025, Celtic won the Premiership title. This was Schmeichel's fourth league title.

International Career for Denmark

Youth Teams

Schmeichel played for the Denmark national under-19 team starting in August 2004. He played eight games for them. He also played for the under-20 team.

He was a key player for the under-21 team. He was named Danish under-21 Talent of the Year in November 2007. He played 17 games for the under-21 team.

Senior National Team

Schmeichel signing autographs during a training session with Denmark in 2014

Schmeichel was first called up to the senior Danish team in May 2011. He made his senior debut on February 6, 2013, against Macedonia.

On October 15, 2013, he played his first senior game in Denmark. He kept a clean sheet in a 6-0 win against Malta.

Schmeichel was chosen for the Danish squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He set a new record for minutes without conceding a goal for Denmark. This record was previously held by his father. In the Round of 16, he saved a penalty in extra-time against Croatia. He also saved two penalties in the shootout.

In the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020 against England, he saved a penalty from Harry Kane. Kane scored from the rebound, and England won 2-1. In November 2022, he was part of the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On March 23, 2024, he earned his 100th international cap.

Personal Life

Kasper Schmeichel is married to Stine Gyldenbrand. They have three children. Their son was born in 2010, and their daughters were born in 2012 and 2021.

His father, Peter Schmeichel, is a very famous former goalkeeper. Peter played for Manchester United for eight seasons.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Awards and Achievements

Notts County

• Football League Two: 2009–10

Leicester City

• Premier League: 2015–16
• FA Cup: 2020–21
• FA Community Shield: 2021
• Football League Championship: 2013–14

Celtic

• Scottish Premiership: 2024–25
• Scottish League Cup: 2024–25
• Scottish Cup runner-up: 2024–25

Individual Awards

• Danish Football Player of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2020
• Danish Football Association's Award: 2015
• The Football League Team of the Decade
• PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10 League Two, 2012–13 Championship, 2013–14 Championship
• PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2009–10 League Two
• Football League Two Golden Glove: 2009–10
• Leicester City Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2016–17
• Leicester City Player's Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2016–17
• Leicester City Supporters' Club Player of the Season: 2011–12
• PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Premiership): 2024–25

See also

In Spanish: Kasper Schmeichel para niños

• List of European association football families
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps