Jens Berthel Askou
Encyclopedia
Jens Berthel Askou is a Danish
professional footballer, who plays as a defender
for Danish 1st Division
side Vejle Boldklub Kolding
. Askou played for a number of Danish clubs before moving abroad, first to Turkish club Kasımpaşa
and then to Norwich City
in England. He was released by Norwich in May 2011 and signed a two-year contract with Vejle Boldklub Kolding in August 2011.
before moving to Holstebro BK
in 2002. His performances led to a contract with 1st Division Silkeborg IF
in the summer of 2003, following a successful trial. He helped the club regain promotion to the Danish Superliga
during his first season, and became a regular for four years. In 2007, Askou failed to agree a new deal with SIF, which led to a move to Turkish
football with Kasımpaşa
.
Kasımpaşa finished bottom of the 2007–08 Süper Lig, with Askou appearing frequently and scoring twice. However, despite Askou's own goal in the playoffs semi-final, the club returned to the top flight at the first attempt in 2008–09. His contract was not renewed the following summer.
League One
club Norwich City
on their pre-season tour of Scotland. He impressed suitably with his defensive displays in the club's friendly matches, also managing to score with a header against Airdrie United
. Then manager Bryan Gunn
confirmed on 27 July he had offered Askou a contract. It was revealed on 30 July that Askou had signed a two-year deal with Norwich. He made his debut in a 4–0 win over Yeovil Town
in the League Cup
on 11 August, helping to keep a clean sheet. Four days later, he scored on his league debut as Norwich drew 1–1 with Exeter City
. Askou became a regular starter for Norwich until picking up a metatarsal injury in a league game against Yeovil in December, which kept him out until May 2010.
He scored a header against Blackburn Rovers
in the League Cup
in August 2010; a game which Norwich lost 3–1. Askou's opportunities at Norwich were limited in the 2010–11 season
, making only two Championship
starts in the first half of the campaign.
In January 2011, Askou moved to fellow Championship side Millwall
on a one-month loan. He was sent off on his debut against Leicester City
for a two-footed lunge on Yakubu
. This was his only appearance for the club and he returned to Norwich in February. He did not appear again for his parent club either; with it being announced at the end of the season that his contract at Norwich would not be renewed.
in August 2011.
Kasımpaşa
Norwich City
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 footballer, who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for 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...
side Vejle Boldklub Kolding
Vejle Boldklub Kolding
Vejle Boldklub Kolding is a Danish football club, currently playing in the Danish 1st Division.The club was founded in June 2011, when Vejle Boldklub and Kolding FC merged.-Current squad:As of 20 November, 2011...
. Askou played for a number of Danish clubs before moving abroad, first to Turkish club Kasımpaşa
Kasimpasa S.K.
Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü is a Turkish football club located in Istanbul, Turkey. They play their home games in the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. The club was founded in 1921 as Altıntuğ. They played in the Istanbul First League between 1939–1945 and 1946–1959. The club was promoted to the Turkish...
and then to 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...
in England. He was released by Norwich in May 2011 and signed a two-year contract with Vejle Boldklub Kolding in August 2011.
Club career
Askou began his career at Ikast FSIkast FS
Ikast FS is a Danish football club currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division West. In 1999, their first team merged with Herning Fremad, to found FC Midtjylland and Ikast now operates as FCM's reserve team....
before moving to Holstebro BK
Holstebro BK
Holstebro BK is a Danish football club currently playing in the Denmark Series. They play at Holstebro Idrætspark in Holstebro, West Jutland, which has a capacity of 15,000.-External links:...
in 2002. His performances led to a contract with 1st Division Silkeborg IF
Silkeborg IF
Silkeborg IF is a Danish professional football club based in the city of Silkeborg, in the middle of Jutland. Silkeborg IF plays in the Danish Superliga. The club was founded in 1917 and they first reach the highest level of football in Denmark in 1987, at that time called 1st division today known...
in the summer of 2003, following a successful trial. He helped the club regain promotion to the 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...
during his first season, and became a regular for four years. In 2007, Askou failed to agree a new deal with SIF, which led to a move to Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
football with Kasımpaşa
Kasimpasa S.K.
Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü is a Turkish football club located in Istanbul, Turkey. They play their home games in the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. The club was founded in 1921 as Altıntuğ. They played in the Istanbul First League between 1939–1945 and 1946–1959. The club was promoted to the Turkish...
.
Kasımpaşa finished bottom of the 2007–08 Süper Lig, with Askou appearing frequently and scoring twice. However, despite Askou's own goal in the playoffs semi-final, the club returned to the top flight at the first attempt in 2008–09. His contract was not renewed the following summer.
Norwich City
In July 2009, Askou linked up 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...
League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club 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...
on their pre-season tour of Scotland. He impressed suitably with his defensive displays in the club's friendly matches, also managing to score with a header against Airdrie United
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
. Then manager Bryan Gunn
Bryan Gunn
Bryan James Gunn is a Scottish former professional goalkeeper and football manager. After learning his trade with Aberdeen in the early 1980s, he spent most of his playing career at Norwich City, the club with which he came to be most closely associated...
confirmed on 27 July he had offered Askou a contract. It was revealed on 30 July that Askou had signed a two-year deal with Norwich. He made his debut in a 4–0 win over Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
in 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...
on 11 August, helping to keep a clean sheet. Four days later, he scored on his league debut as Norwich drew 1–1 with 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...
. Askou became a regular starter for Norwich until picking up a metatarsal injury in a league game against Yeovil in December, which kept him out until May 2010.
He scored a header against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in 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...
in August 2010; a game which Norwich lost 3–1. Askou's opportunities at Norwich were limited in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
, making only two 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...
starts in the first half of the campaign.
In January 2011, Askou moved to fellow Championship side Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on a one-month loan. He was sent off on his debut against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
for a two-footed lunge on Yakubu
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Yakubu Aiyegbeni , generally known simply as Yakubu, is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for Blackburn Rovers and the Nigerian national football team. His nickname is "The Yak".-Early career:...
. This was his only appearance for the club and he returned to Norwich in February. He did not appear again for his parent club either; with it being announced at the end of the season that his contract at Norwich would not be renewed.
Vejle Boldklub Kolding
Askou signed a two year contract with Danish first division team Vejle Boldklub KoldingVejle Boldklub Kolding
Vejle Boldklub Kolding is a Danish football club, currently playing in the Danish 1st Division.The club was founded in June 2011, when Vejle Boldklub and Kolding FC merged.-Current squad:As of 20 November, 2011...
in August 2011.
Personal life
Askou is married to Rikke. The couple have three children - Julius, Cornelius and Augusta.Club
Silkeborg IF-
- Danish 1st DivisionDanish 1st DivisionThe 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...
Champions: 2003–04
- Danish 1st Division
Kasımpaşa
-
- TFF 1. LeagueTFF First LeagueThe TFF First League is the second level of the Turkish football league system. The league was founded in 2000 after it was separated from the Turkish Second League Category B during reorganizing Second League, who was second level of Turkish league between 1963–2001...
Playoffs Winners: 2008–09
- TFF 1. League
Norwich City
-
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Champions: 2009–10 - ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe 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...
Runners-Up: 2010–11
- League One
External links
- Jens Berthel Askou Superliga statistics 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...
- Jens Berthel Askou player profile at canaries.co.uk
- Jens Berthel Askou career stats at tff.org