Casper Ankergren
Encyclopedia
Casper Ankergren is a Danish
professional football goalkeeper currently playing for English
team Brighton & Hove Albion
. He played three matches for the Denmark national under-21 team
.
, Sjælland, Ankergren started playing youth football with Solrød FC, before moving on to Køge BK
in the Danish 1st Division
, and represented Denmark at various youth levels. He made a good display in a pre-season friendly against many-times Danish champions Brøndby IF
, and was rumoured to be joining that club in April 2000. He signed a contract with Brøndby in May 2000, initially sending him on loan back at Køge.
in the top-flight Danish Superliga
championship in January 2001. He made his debut in October 2001, and therefore played only one match as Brøndby won the 2001–02 Superliga
title. Ankergren got his breakthrough with Brøndby following the retirement of club legend Mogens Krogh
in December 2002. He played all 15 Brøndby games in the second half of the 2002-03 season
, and helped the club win the 2003 Danish Cup
.
For the 2003–04 season
, Brøndby bought goalkeeper Karim Zaza
who became their first choice, leaving Ankergren to spend the season as back-up keeper, playing only one game. At the start of the 2004–05 season
, Zaza suffered an injury and Ankergren played the entire season as Brøndby's starting goalkeeper, even after Zaza had recovered. Ankergren finished the season setting a league record 18 clean sheets in 32 games, and helped Brøndby win the Double
of both the 2004–05 Superliga and 2005 Danish Cup titles.
He started the 2005–06 season
in the Brøndby goal, but at the winter interval, Zaza was once again selected as first choice keeper. However, Zaza left the club in the summer of 2006 and Ankergren signed a new three-year contract. Brøndby had a disappointing start to the 2006–07 season
, sitting in seventh place at the winter break. However, Ankergren was called up to the Denmark national team
by national manager Morten Olsen
in October 2006, where he served as a back-up goalkeeper for Jesper Christiansen
. When Brøndby bought former Danish international goalkeeper Stephan Andersen
, Ankergren announced his decision to leave the club.
club Leeds United
. who were battling relegation
in the Football League Championship
. He signed for the remainder of the 2006–07 Football League season
, with an option for Leeds to buy him at a fixed transfer fee at the end of the season. Ankergren established himself as a firm favourite with the Leeds fans and displaced Neil Sullivan
, Tony Warner
and Graham Stack, putting in a number of matchwinning saves and performances. His popularity was further increased during the 1–0 victory over Luton Town
when he made his second save from a penalty kick
since joining Leeds. An injury temporarily forced him out of the side with another Leeds loanee goalkeeper Graham Stack taking his place, although Ankergen reclaimed his place in the side once he regained match fitness. He soon made it publicly known that he wanted to continue his stay at Leeds past his loan spell, and Leeds' manager Dennis Wise
stated he wanted to keep Ankergen at the club.
He transferred to Leeds for an undisclosed fee from Brøndby, signing a three-year contract on 6 August 2007. Ankergen was Leeds' first choice goalkeeper in the 2007–08 season
. On 8 October 2007, he was named League One Player of the Month for September due to his great goalkeeping displays. In the first 18 games of the season, he kept 10 clean sheets and retained the number one jersey for a further 23 games. He played in Leeds' first match at the new Wembley Stadium
, the 1–0 League One play-off Final
defeat to Doncaster Rovers
. He pulled off a string of impressive one-handed saves to keep his side in the match.
He took part in Leeds' pre-season tour of Ireland for the 2008–09 season but was rested on occasions to give understudies David Lucas
and Alan Martin
first team goalkeeping experience. He started the first four games of the full season but failed to keep a clean sheet as his team conceded six goals. He was dropped for the League Cup
tie against Crystal Palace
in favour of Lucas, which Leeds went on to win 4–0, and missed out in the subsequent 2–2 draw with Bristol Rovers
. He was also dropped for the 5–2 win over Crewe Alexandra
again in favour of Lucas, but returned to being first choice keeper under new manager Simon Grayson
.
At the start of the 2009/10 season, Ankergren was Leeds' number two goalkeeper behind Shane Higgs
. Ankergren made his first appearance of the season coming on as a substitute for Higgs who suffered an injury during the game against Milton Keynes Dons
, opening the door for Ankergren to start a few games after Higgs was ruled out with a thigh injury. Leeds signed goalkeeper Frank Fielding
as backup to Ankergren whilst Higgs was injured. Ankergen made his first start of the season against Carlisle United
. He started a second successive game with Higgs still out and he kept a clean sheet in the game against Charlton Athletic
. He continued to deputise for the injured Higgs and has played 11 games in all competitions with six clean sheets so far. New loan signing David Martin came into the side for the Football League Trophy
game against Accrington Stanley
with Ankergren dropping to the bench, but he returned to the starting line-up against Southampton and kept another clean sheet. With Higgs' injury more serious than originally thought, Ankergren has been given an extended run of games.
On 3 January 2010 Ankergen made several important saves for Leeds in their 1–0 FA Cup
victory against Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford
, particularly from Wayne Rooney
and Danny Wellbeck shots. The following games for Leeds saw a slump in form with Leeds drawing against Wycombe Wanderers
and losing against Exeter City
and Carlisle United
. Ankergren had a fine game for Leeds in the FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur
on 23 January 2010. Ankergen saved a first half penalty from Jermain Defoe
, and also pulled off a string of fine saves as Leeds earned a replay with a 2-2 draw.
On 3 February 2010 Ankergren put in an impressive performance after making several impressive saves against Tottenham in the FA Cup despite Leeds losing 3-1. Ankergren was involved in a penalty shootout for Leeds, but was unable to save a penalty for Leeds in the Football League Trophy Northern Area final second leg against Carlisle as Leeds were knocked out of the tournament after losing 6-5 in the shootout.
After Leeds' number one goalkeeper Higgs returned from a long injury lay-off in a match against Norwich City
, Ankergren dropped back to the substitutes bench.. Leeds were promoted to the Football League Championship after finishing in second place. It was announced on 14 May 2010 that Ankergren would not be offered a new deal at Leeds and that he was free to find a new club. Ankergren was replaced at Leeds by a fellow Dane Kasper Schmeichel
who signed a deal two weeks after Ankergren was released.
in August 1995. He played three games for the under-21s
, but found himself the reserve of Rune Pedersen
and eventually Stephan Andersen
. While at Brøndby, he served as sparring partner in various Danish national team training sessions around 2003. In October 2006 he received a call-up to the Denmark national team
by manager Morten Olsen
, as a replacement for injured Thomas Sørensen
, but he was an unused substitute in the game, and has not featured in a Danish squad since.
In January 2006 and January 2007, he played unofficial international games with the Denmark League XI national football team
.
Leeds United:
Brighton & Hove Albion:
League One Player of the Month - September 2010, March 2011
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
professional football goalkeeper currently playing for English
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
team Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. He played three matches for the Denmark national under-21 team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
Køge BK
Born in KøgeKøge
Køge Municipality is a municipality in Region Sjælland on the east coast of the island of Zealand approx. 40 km. southwest of Copenhagen. The municipality covers an area of 255 km² , and has a total population of 56,637...
, Sjælland, Ankergren started playing youth football with Solrød FC, before moving on to Køge BK
Køge BK
Køge Boldklub is a Danish football club from Køge, Zealand, they currently compete in the Sjællandsserie.-History:In 1954, the club became the first outside Copenhagen to win the Danish Championship....
in the Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
, and represented Denmark at various youth levels. He made a good display in a pre-season friendly against many-times Danish champions Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
, and was rumoured to be joining that club in April 2000. He signed a contract with Brøndby in May 2000, initially sending him on loan back at Køge.
Brøndby IF
He eventually joined Brøndby IFBrøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
in the top-flight Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
championship in January 2001. He made his debut in October 2001, and therefore played only one match as Brøndby won the 2001–02 Superliga
Danish Superliga 2001-02
The 2001–02 Danish Superliga season was the 12th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association...
title. Ankergren got his breakthrough with Brøndby following the retirement of club legend Mogens Krogh
Mogens Krogh
Mogens Krogh is a Danish retired professional football player who is currently the goalkeeper coach for the youth teams of Brøndby IF...
in December 2002. He played all 15 Brøndby games in the second half of the 2002-03 season
Danish Superliga 2002-03
The 2002–03 Danish Superliga season was the 13th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association...
, and helped the club win the 2003 Danish Cup
Danish Cup
The Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
.
For the 2003–04 season
Danish Superliga 2003-04
The 2003-04 Danish Superliga season was the 14th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 26, 2003 to the final match on May 29, 2004....
, Brøndby bought goalkeeper Karim Zaza
Karim Zaza
Karim Zaza is a Danish-Moroccan professional footballer, who currently plays for the Danish 1st Division side FC Hjørring. Born in Denmark to Moroccan parents, he established himself as one of the top goalkeepers of Danish football with three consecutive Danish Goalkeeper of the Year awards from...
who became their first choice, leaving Ankergren to spend the season as back-up keeper, playing only one game. At the start of the 2004–05 season
Danish Superliga 2004-05
The 2004-05 Danish Superliga season was the 15th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 24, 2004 to the final match on June 19, 2005....
, Zaza suffered an injury and Ankergren played the entire season as Brøndby's starting goalkeeper, even after Zaza had recovered. Ankergren finished the season setting a league record 18 clean sheets in 32 games, and helped Brøndby win the Double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
of both the 2004–05 Superliga and 2005 Danish Cup titles.
He started the 2005–06 season
Danish Superliga 2005-06
The 2005-06 Danish Superliga season was the 16th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 19, 2005 to the final match on May 14, 2006....
in the Brøndby goal, but at the winter interval, Zaza was once again selected as first choice keeper. However, Zaza left the club in the summer of 2006 and Ankergren signed a new three-year contract. Brøndby had a disappointing start to the 2006–07 season
Danish Superliga 2006-07
The 2006–07 Danish Superliga season was the 17th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, which determined the winners of the Danish football championship. It was governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 19, 2006 to the final match on May...
, sitting in seventh place at the winter break. However, Ankergren was called up to the Denmark national team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
by national manager Morten Olsen
Morten Olsen
Morten Per Olsen is a Danish football manager and former football player. He has been the head coach of the Danish national team since 2000, guiding Denmark to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup...
in October 2006, where he served as a back-up goalkeeper for Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Ringsborg Christiansen is a Danish professional footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper for IF Elfsborg in the Allsvenskan championship. He has previously played for Danish Superliga clubs Odense BK, Vejle BK, Viborg FF, and F.C. Copenhagen, winning four Superliga championships and two Danish...
. When Brøndby bought former Danish international goalkeeper Stephan Andersen
Stephan Andersen
Stephan Maigaard Andersen is a Danish professional football player, who plays as a goalkeeper for Évian in the Ligue 1...
, Ankergren announced his decision to leave the club.
Leeds United
In January 2007, he signed a loan deal with EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. who were battling relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
in the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He signed for the remainder of the 2006–07 Football League season
The Football League 2006-07
The 2006–2007 season was the 107th completed season of the Football League.-Overview:The Football League was contested through three Divisions in England and Wales. The divisions were the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League Two...
, with an option for Leeds to buy him at a fixed transfer fee at the end of the season. Ankergren established himself as a firm favourite with the Leeds fans and displaced Neil Sullivan
Neil Sullivan
Neil Sullivan is an English-born Scottish ex-international professional Association footballer. A goalkeeper, Sullivan currently plays for Doncaster Rovers after signing on a permanent basis from Leeds United at the end of the 2006–07 season, following two loan moves to Doncaster...
, Tony Warner
Tony Warner
Anthony Randolph "Tony" Warner is a Trinidad and Tobago international football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Wellington Phoenix.-Footballing career:...
and Graham Stack, putting in a number of matchwinning saves and performances. His popularity was further increased during the 1–0 victory over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
when he made his second save from a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
since joining Leeds. An injury temporarily forced him out of the side with another Leeds loanee goalkeeper Graham Stack taking his place, although Ankergen reclaimed his place in the side once he regained match fitness. He soon made it publicly known that he wanted to continue his stay at Leeds past his loan spell, and Leeds' manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
stated he wanted to keep Ankergen at the club.
He transferred to Leeds for an undisclosed fee from Brøndby, signing a three-year contract on 6 August 2007. Ankergen was Leeds' first choice goalkeeper in the 2007–08 season
The Football League 2007-08
The Football League is contested through three divisions in England and Wales. The divisions are the League Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner up of the League Championship will be automatically promoted to the Premier League and they will be joined by the winner of...
. On 8 October 2007, he was named League One Player of the Month for September due to his great goalkeeping displays. In the first 18 games of the season, he kept 10 clean sheets and retained the number one jersey for a further 23 games. He played in Leeds' first match at the new Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, the 1–0 League One play-off Final
2008 Football League One play-off Final
The 2008 Football League One play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion from League One to the Championship, and was contested by Doncaster Rovers, who had finished...
defeat to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. He pulled off a string of impressive one-handed saves to keep his side in the match.
He took part in Leeds' pre-season tour of Ireland for the 2008–09 season but was rested on occasions to give understudies David Lucas
David Lucas
David Lucas is the name of:* David Lucas , American rock and roll producer and jingle writer* David Lucas , English cricketer who plays for Worcestershire* David Lucas , English footballer...
and Alan Martin
Alan Martin (footballer born 1989)
Alan Martin is a Scottish footballer who plays for Crewe Alexandra as a goalkeeper.Martin is a former Scotland under-21 international, who is viewed as a bright prospect for the future.-Club career:...
first team goalkeeping experience. He started the first four games of the full season but failed to keep a clean sheet as his team conceded six goals. He was dropped for the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in favour of Lucas, which Leeds went on to win 4–0, and missed out in the subsequent 2–2 draw with Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
. He was also dropped for the 5–2 win over Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
again in favour of Lucas, but returned to being first choice keeper under new manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
.
At the start of the 2009/10 season, Ankergren was Leeds' number two goalkeeper behind Shane Higgs
Shane Higgs
Shane Peter Higgs is an English footballer who is currently without a club after being released by Leeds United in the summer of 2011.-Early career:...
. Ankergren made his first appearance of the season coming on as a substitute for Higgs who suffered an injury during the game against Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
, opening the door for Ankergren to start a few games after Higgs was ruled out with a thigh injury. Leeds signed goalkeeper Frank Fielding
Frank Fielding
Francis David "Frank" Fielding is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Derby County.-Club career:Born in Blackburn Lancashire, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers Academy. He joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside...
as backup to Ankergren whilst Higgs was injured. Ankergen made his first start of the season against Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. He started a second successive game with Higgs still out and he kept a clean sheet in the game against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. He continued to deputise for the injured Higgs and has played 11 games in all competitions with six clean sheets so far. New loan signing David Martin came into the side for the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
game against Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
with Ankergren dropping to the bench, but he returned to the starting line-up against Southampton and kept another clean sheet. With Higgs' injury more serious than originally thought, Ankergren has been given an extended run of games.
On 3 January 2010 Ankergen made several important saves for Leeds in their 1–0 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
victory against Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, particularly from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
and Danny Wellbeck shots. The following games for Leeds saw a slump in form with Leeds drawing against Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
and losing against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. Ankergren had a fine game for Leeds in the FA Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 23 January 2010. Ankergen saved a first half penalty from Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team....
, and also pulled off a string of fine saves as Leeds earned a replay with a 2-2 draw.
On 3 February 2010 Ankergren put in an impressive performance after making several impressive saves against Tottenham in the FA Cup despite Leeds losing 3-1. Ankergren was involved in a penalty shootout for Leeds, but was unable to save a penalty for Leeds in the Football League Trophy Northern Area final second leg against Carlisle as Leeds were knocked out of the tournament after losing 6-5 in the shootout.
After Leeds' number one goalkeeper Higgs returned from a long injury lay-off in a match against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, Ankergren dropped back to the substitutes bench.. Leeds were promoted to the Football League Championship after finishing in second place. It was announced on 14 May 2010 that Ankergren would not be offered a new deal at Leeds and that he was free to find a new club. Ankergren was replaced at Leeds by a fellow Dane Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
who signed a deal two weeks after Ankergren was released.
Brighton & Hove Albion
On 6 August 2010, Ankergren signed for his former Leeds assistant manager Gus Poyet at Brighton. Ankergren made his Brighton debut the following day, in Brighton's opening game of the season 2-1 win over Swindon Town. He started well at Brighton, winning the nPower League One Player of the Month for September 2010. He won the award again in March 2011, keeping 5 clean sheets in 8 games. On the 12th April 2011 he helped Brighton gain promotion to the Football League Championship after a 4-3 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday 13 April 2011.International career
While at Køge, Ankergen played his first youth football for Denmark, making his debut for the under-17sDenmark national under-17 football team
The Denmark national under-17 football team was founded in 1964 as a under-16 team. In 2001, it was changed to a under-17 team.-Competitive record:The Danish under-17 squad will make its World Cup debut at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico....
in August 1995. He played three games for the under-21s
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
, but found himself the reserve of Rune Pedersen
Rune Pedersen
Rune Pedersen is a former football referee, representing SK Sprint-Jeløy. He was regarded as the best match official in Norway during the 1990s, and won the Kniksen award for "Referee of the year" 10 times between 1990 and 2000. Only Roy Helge Olsen stood in the way of Pedersen winning the award...
and eventually Stephan Andersen
Stephan Andersen
Stephan Maigaard Andersen is a Danish professional football player, who plays as a goalkeeper for Évian in the Ligue 1...
. While at Brøndby, he served as sparring partner in various Danish national team training sessions around 2003. In October 2006 he received a call-up to the Denmark national team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
by manager Morten Olsen
Morten Olsen
Morten Per Olsen is a Danish football manager and former football player. He has been the head coach of the Danish national team since 2000, guiding Denmark to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup...
, as a replacement for injured Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
, but he was an unused substitute in the game, and has not featured in a Danish squad since.
In January 2006 and January 2007, he played unofficial international games with the Denmark League XI national football team
Denmark League XI national football team
The Denmark League XI national football team is an unofficial national football team run by the Danish Football Association.The team generally consists of Danish players playing in the Danish Superliga, or other leagues if the clubs there agree to release them...
.
Club
Brøndby:- Danish Superliga ChampionsDanish SuperligaThe Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
: 2001–02Danish Superliga 2001-02The 2001–02 Danish Superliga season was the 12th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association...
, 2004–05Danish Superliga 2004-05The 2004-05 Danish Superliga season was the 15th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 24, 2004 to the final match on June 19, 2005.... - Danish Cup WinnersDanish CupThe Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
: 2002–03, 2004–05
Leeds United:
- Coca-Cola League One Runners Up (Promoted): 2009-2010
Brighton & Hove Albion:
- nPower League One Champions: 2010-2011
Personal
- FourFourTwoFourFourTwoFourFourTwo is a football magazine published by Haymarket. Published monthly, costing £4.50, and at about 164 pages long, it published its 200th edition in February 2011...
Best 50 Football League Players 2008: 46th
League One Player of the Month - September 2010, March 2011
External links
- Casper Ankergren profile at the Leeds United website
- Casper Ankergren profile at the Danish Football Association website
- Casper Ankergren Superliga stats by Danish Football AssociationDanish Football AssociationThe Danish Football Association is the governing body of football in Denmark. It is the organization of the Danish football clubs and runs the professional Danish football leagues and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in the city of Brøndby and is a founding member of both FIFA...
Brøndby IF profile