Søren Larsen
Encyclopedia
Søren Larsen (ˈsɶːɐn ˈlɑːsn̩; born 6 September 1981) is a Danish
professional football striker
who is currently playing for Danish Superliga
side AGF Aarhus.
, Denmark
. In 2001, he was sold to multiple Danish championship
winners Brøndby IF
in the top-flight Danish Superliga
. At Brøndby he did not enjoy much success, and only played a single game in the 2001–02 Superliga season, which Brøndby went on to win, although he became well known for his Bellyflop goal celebration, a result of which he was injured. He was sent on loan
to fellow Danish club BK Frem by then-Brøndby manager Michael Laudrup
. In 2004, he was sold to Swedish club Djurgårdens IF, playing just two matches before being sidelined for the remainder of 2004 with a groin
injury. When Djurgården won 2005 Swedish Cup and the 2005 Allsvenskan
Larsen was a key player until he was sold.
After a two month-long controversy Larsen was sold to German
football club FC Schalke 04
on 31 July 2005, signing a four year contract. At Schalke 04, he earned the nickname "Der Dänische Joker" (The Danish joker), "The Blonde Bomber" and "Die Waffe" (The weapon), referring to his ability to come on as a substitute and score the game-tying or -winning goal. He was, however, not able to keep up the good performances due to injuries, and he later lost his place in the Schalke team. He became fed up with his role on the bench and decided to look for a new club.
On 18 July 2008 he moved to Toulouse
as a replacement for the outgoing Johan Elmander
. On 24 January 2009, Søren scored his first four goals for the club in a 8–0 win against amateur team Schirrhein
in the Coupe de France
, but after one year he turned back to Germany
and signed a one year loan deal with MSV Duisburg
. Larsen scored five goals in ten games and returned to Toulouse. In 2011 he moved to Feyenoord on loan. On 12 July 2011, despite having two years remaining on his contract, he left Toulouse by mutual consent.
On 13 July 2011, he signed a three-year contract with the Danish Superliga
side AGF Aarhus, and made his debut appearance for the first team only five days later, at home against Lyngby Boldklub
.
On 30 July 2011, he scored his first goal, an important equalizer in the 2-2 draw home against Odense BK
. In the first two games of September 2011, Larsen scored an impressive seven goals: On 1 September 2011 he scored four goals in a 5-2 win in a Cup match against 1. Division side Blokhus FC. Then on 12 September 2011, he made a hat-trick in a 4-2 win against FC Midtjylland
.
, when he came on as a substitute in the 1–0 win over Finland
. He continued his good form by sensationally scoring six goals in his first five national team matches from June to September 2005. Larsen was named in Olsen's final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup
in South Africa
.
Larsen has scored eleven goals in 20 games for Denmark.
Djurgårdens IF:
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 striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who is currently playing for 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...
side AGF Aarhus.
Biography
Larsen started his professional career at Danish club Køge Boldklub 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...
, Denmark
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...
. In 2001, he was sold to multiple Danish championship
Danish football champions
The Danish football champions are the winners of the highest league of football in Denmark. The title has been contested since 1913, in a varying form of competitions. Since 1991, the winners have been found through the Danish Superliga championship...
winners 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...
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...
. At Brøndby he did not enjoy much success, and only played a single game in the 2001–02 Superliga season, which Brøndby went on to win, although he became well known for his Bellyflop goal celebration, a result of which he was injured. He was sent on loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
to fellow Danish club BK Frem by then-Brøndby manager Michael Laudrup
Michael Laudrup
Michael Laudrup is a retired Danish footballer, who works as a manager and last coached La Liga side RCD Mallorca. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of football. His most prominent run of football came with Spanish club Barcelona, with whom he won four straight La...
. In 2004, he was sold to Swedish club Djurgårdens IF, playing just two matches before being sidelined for the remainder of 2004 with a groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
injury. When Djurgården won 2005 Swedish Cup and the 2005 Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan 2005
Allsvenskan 2005, part of the 2005 Swedish football season, was the 81st Allsvenskan season played. The first match was played 9 April 2005 and the last match was played 23 October 2005...
Larsen was a key player until he was sold.
After a two month-long controversy Larsen was sold to German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football club FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
on 31 July 2005, signing a four year contract. At Schalke 04, he earned the nickname "Der Dänische Joker" (The Danish joker), "The Blonde Bomber" and "Die Waffe" (The weapon), referring to his ability to come on as a substitute and score the game-tying or -winning goal. He was, however, not able to keep up the good performances due to injuries, and he later lost his place in the Schalke team. He became fed up with his role on the bench and decided to look for a new club.
On 18 July 2008 he moved to Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
as a replacement for the outgoing Johan Elmander
Johan Elmander
Johan Erik Calvin Elmander is a Swedish footballer who plays as a striker for Galatasaray and the Sweden national football team. He joined in a free transfer after his contract with English club Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League expired...
. On 24 January 2009, Søren scored his first four goals for the club in a 8–0 win against amateur team Schirrhein
Schirrhein
Schirrhein is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-References:*...
in the Coupe de France
Coupe de France 2008-09
The 2008–09 Coupe de France was the ninety-second season of the French most prestigious cup competition and was open to all clubs in French football, as well as 7 teams from overseas departments and territories...
, but after one year he turned back to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and signed a one year loan deal with MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg is a German association football club based in Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia. Nicknamed "the Zebras" for their traditional striped jerseys, the club was one of the original members of the Bundesliga when it was formed in 1963.-Early years:...
. Larsen scored five goals in ten games and returned to Toulouse. In 2011 he moved to Feyenoord on loan. On 12 July 2011, despite having two years remaining on his contract, he left Toulouse by mutual consent.
On 13 July 2011, he signed a three-year contract with 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...
side AGF Aarhus, and made his debut appearance for the first team only five days later, at home against Lyngby Boldklub
Lyngby Boldklub
Lyngby Boldklub is a professional Danish football club founded in 1921. It is based at Lyngby Stadion in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. From 1994 to 2001 the club was known as Lyngby FC.-History:...
.
On 30 July 2011, he scored his first goal, an important equalizer in the 2-2 draw home against Odense BK
Odense BK
Odense Boldklub is a Danish professional football club based in the town of Odense. The club has won three Danish championships and five Danish Cup trophies. OB play in the Danish Superliga and their home field is TRE-FOR Park in Odense on Funen...
. In the first two games of September 2011, Larsen scored an impressive seven goals: On 1 September 2011 he scored four goals in a 5-2 win in a Cup match against 1. Division side Blokhus FC. Then on 12 September 2011, he made a hat-trick in a 4-2 win against FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football team from Herning and Ikast. The team is a result of a merger between Ikast FS and Herning Fremad...
.
International career
On 2 June 2005, Larsen was handed his international debut by Denmark manager Morten OlsenMorten 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...
, when he came on as a substitute in the 1–0 win over Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
. He continued his good form by sensationally scoring six goals in his first five national team matches from June to September 2005. Larsen was named in Olsen's final 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Larsen has scored eleven goals in 20 games for Denmark.
Honours
Brondby:- Danish SuperligaDanish 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...
: 2002
Djurgårdens IF:
- Swedish Cup: 2004
- Swedish AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
: 2005
International goals
- Scores and results list Denmark's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 8 June 2005 Copenhagen CopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, DenmarkDenmarkDenmark 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...
1–0 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qual. 2 8 June 2005 Copenhagen, Denmark 2–0 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qual. 3 7 August 2005 Copenhagen, Denmark 4–1 4–1 Friendly match 4 3 September 2005 Istanbul IstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
2–2 2–2 2006 FIFA World Cup Qual. 5 7 September 2005 Copenhagen, Denmark 5–1 6–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qual. 6 7 September 2005 Copenhagen, Denmark 6–1 6–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qual. 7 11 October 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark 1–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual. 8 11 October 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark 3–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual. 9 28 March 2009 Attard, Malta 1–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual. 10 28 March 2009 Attard, Malta 2–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual. 11 1 April 2009 Copenhagen, Denmark 2–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.