Ulrik Laursen

Ulrik Laursen
Personal information
Full name	Ulrik Rosenløv Laursen
Date of birth	28 February 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth	Odense, Denmark
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team
1993–2000	OB
2000–2002	Hibernian
2002–2005	Celtic
2005–2008	OB
2008–2010	F.C. Copenhagen
Total
International career
1993–1995	Denmark U-19
1996–1997	Denmark U-21
2007–2008	Denmark
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.

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

^ "Laursen ready to face Agathe". BBC Sport. 25 May 2001. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
^ Irvine, Neil; Peters, Keith (30 July 2002). "Hedman and Laursen swell Celtic ranks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Laursen, Ulrik". FitbaStats. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
^ Bruun, Peter (27 February 2008). "OB wan as Laursen leaves for FCK". UEFA. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
^ 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.

External links

Ulrik Laursen at Soccerbase
(in Danish) F.C. Copenhagen profile
(in Danish) Danish national team profile
Ulrik Laursen at DR (in Danish) (archived)

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

[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.

[fbstats-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.

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