Ulrik Laursen

Ulrik Rosenløv Laursen (born 28 February 1976) is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a defender. Laursen was predominantly used in the centre, but was also competent as a left back.

Ulrik Laursen
Personal information
Full name Ulrik Rosenløv Laursen
Date of birth (1976-02-28) 28 February 1976
Place of birth Odense, Denmark
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–2000 OB 77 (1)
2000–2002 Hibernian 53 (3)
2002–2005 Celtic 40 (0)
2005–2008 OB 72 (6)
2008–2010 F.C. Copenhagen 49 (0)
Total 291 (10)
National team
1993–1995 Denmark U-19 12 (0)
1996–1997 Denmark U-21 16 (1)
2007–2008 Denmark 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Laursen began his career at Odense Boldklub, where his talent was quickly discovered. He debuted for the Danish under-19 national team in 1993, aged 17, and won the 1993 Danish under-19 Player of the Year award. He transferred to Hibernian under manager Alex McLeish, on a free transfer in 2000. He was a fans favourite at Easter Road, scoring five goals in 82 appearances and helped the club reach the 2001 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic,[1] which they lost 3–0.

He signed for Celtic in a £1.3 million deal in August 2002,[2] and his first season saw him enjoy an extended run in the first team, thanks to injuries to other players. He made more than 30 appearances for "the Hoops" during the 2002–03 season, including the 2003 UEFA Cup Final against FC Porto.[3] However, he failed to make any appearances the following season aside from one substitute appearance in the League Cup.[3] He saw more playing time during the 2004–05 season, but he moved back to OB in the summer of 2005.

Laursen then transferred to F.C. Copenhagen in January 2008.[4] After only six months in Copenhagen, Laursen was selected as new captain after Michael Gravgaard's departure to FC Nantes.[5]

On 11 May 2010, Laursen confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 2009–10 season.

Honours

OB

Celtic

Copenhagen

References
  1. "Laursen ready to face Agathe". BBC Sport. 25 May 2001. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  2. Irvine, Neil; Peters, Keith (30 July 2002). "Hedman and Laursen swell Celtic ranks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  3. "Laursen, Ulrik". FitbaStats. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. Bruun, Peter (27 February 2008). "OB wan as Laursen leaves for FCK". UEFA. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  5. Michelsen, Kim Lundahl (17 July 2008). "Ulrik Laursen bliver ny FCK-anfører" (in Danish). Tipsbladet.dk. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Nicolai Stokholm		 Odense Boldklub captain
2006–2008		 Succeeded by
Esben Hansen
Preceded by
Michael Gravgaard		 F.C. Copenhagen captain
2008–2009		 Succeeded by
Hjalte Nørregaard
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