Martin Pedersen (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Martin Pedersen is a Danish
professional football player who plays for Danish Second Division team FC Hjørring
. He has played 28 games for the Danish under-21 national team
, and was selected for the 2006 European Under-21 Championship
.
season. At age 21, he had played 39 Superliga matches for AaB. Struggling to capture a first team spot in competition with Danish international
defender Allan K. Jepsen, Pedersen was put on loan
with Superliga relegation
battlers SønderjyskE
for the 2005-06 Superliga
season. He played 25 games for SønderjyskE, but could not prevent them from being relegated at the end of the season.
Back at AaB, Pedersen was initially competing with Danish under-21 national team defender Michael Jakobsen for the left back. With Jakobsen eventually settling in the central defense, Pedersen played a number of games at left back, as AaB won bronze medal
s in the 2006-07 Superliga
season. Following Aalborg BK's bronze medals they qualified for the UEFA Cup
, where a dream came true for Martin Pedersen as he played against his favourite foreign team, Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane
.
Pedersen had his best AaB season the following year, when he played 28 of 33 games as the team won the 2007-08 Superliga
championship. After the championship, AaB qualified for the 2008–09 Champions League group stage, where Pedersen had a lot of stable performances against Celtic F.C.
, Villarreal CF
and Manchester United
. Sir Alex Ferguson
even mentioned Pedersen of one of the Aalborg BK profiles in an interview, a few days before AaB entered the Old Trafford
to play against Manchester United.
AaB however, did not want to extend his contract, which resulted in a transfer to Superliga relegation battlers Vejle Boldklub
in January 2009, six months before his contract ended. Injuries ruined his first time at the club, and he only played five games as Vejle were relegated at the end of the season. In his second season with Vejle, Pedersen fell out with the club. He was loaned out to Iceland
ic team Valur
in March 2010.
in August 2002, 18 years old. He played a total 28 games for the Under-21s, and was selected for the 2006 European Under-21 Championship
in May 2006.
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 player who plays for Danish Second Division team FC Hjørring
FC Hjørring
FC Hjørring is a Danish football club from Hjørring, Vendsyssel. It currently plays in the Danish 1st Division. It was formerly known as Hjørring IF.-Current squad:-External links:...
. He has played 28 games for the Danish under-21 national team
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...
, and was selected for the 2006 European Under-21 Championship
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
.
Club career
Pedersen made his senior debut for Aalborg BK (AaB) in the 2002-03 SuperligaDanish 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...
season. At age 21, he had played 39 Superliga matches for AaB. Struggling to capture a first team spot in competition with Danish international
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...
defender Allan K. Jepsen, Pedersen was put 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....
with Superliga 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...
battlers SønderjyskE
SønderjyskE
SønderjyskE is a Danish sport club. They have two football teams , two handball teams and an ice hockey team based in Vojens. All the teams play in South Jutland...
for the 2005-06 Superliga
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....
season. He played 25 games for SønderjyskE, but could not prevent them from being relegated at the end of the season.
Back at AaB, Pedersen was initially competing with Danish under-21 national team defender Michael Jakobsen for the left back. With Jakobsen eventually settling in the central defense, Pedersen played a number of games at left back, as AaB won bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
s in the 2006-07 Superliga
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...
season. Following Aalborg BK's bronze medals they qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, where a dream came true for Martin Pedersen as he played against his favourite foreign team, Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
.
Pedersen had his best AaB season the following year, when he played 28 of 33 games as the team won the 2007-08 Superliga
Danish Superliga 2007-08
The 2007–08 Danish Superliga season was the 18th 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 started with the first match on July 18, 2007 and ended with the final match...
championship. After the championship, AaB qualified for the 2008–09 Champions League group stage, where Pedersen had a lot of stable performances against Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
even mentioned Pedersen of one of the Aalborg BK profiles in an interview, a few days before AaB entered the 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:...
to play against Manchester United.
AaB however, did not want to extend his contract, which resulted in a transfer to Superliga relegation battlers Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....
in January 2009, six months before his contract ended. Injuries ruined his first time at the club, and he only played five games as Vejle were relegated at the end of the season. In his second season with Vejle, Pedersen fell out with the club. He was loaned out to Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic team Valur
Valur
Knattspyrnufélagið Valur is an Icelandic athletic club based in Reykjavík, Iceland. One of Iceland's most prolific clubs it celebrates its 100th birthday in 2011. The club is situated close to the city centre, in the traditional east side of town, at the old farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi...
in March 2010.
International career
He has earned 35 caps for various Danish youth team selections, starting with the Under-16s in 1999. He made his debut for the Danish under-21 national teamDenmark 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...
in August 2002, 18 years old. He played a total 28 games for the Under-21s, and was selected for the 2006 European Under-21 Championship
2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Klaas Jan Huntelaar3 goals Thomas Kahlenberg Nicky Hofs2 goals Bryan Bergougnoux Ruslan Fomin Artem Milevskiy...
in May 2006.