Ulrik Laursen
Encyclopedia
Ulrik Rosenløv Laursen is a Danish
former professional football
player who ended his career playing for F.C. Copenhagen
in the Danish Superliga
. Laursen was predominantly used in the central defense, but was also competent as a left back.
under manager Alex McLeish
, on a free transfer
in 2000. He was a fans favourite at Easter Road
, scoring 5 goals in 82 appearances and helped the club reach the 2001 Scottish Cup Final
against Celtic
, which they lost 3–0.
He signed for Celtic in a £1.5million deal in August 2002, and his first season saw him enjoy an extended run in the first team, thanks to injuries to other players. He made more than 20 appearances for "the Hoops" during the 2002–03 season
, including the 2003 UEFA Cup Final
against FC Porto. However, he failed to make any appearances the following season. 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. After only 6 months in Copenhagen, Laursen was selected as new captain after Michael Gravgaard
's departure to FC Nantes.
On 11 May 2010 Laursen confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 2009–10 season.
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...
former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who ended his career playing for F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is a professional Danish football club in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is part of the Parken Sport & Entertainment....
in 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...
. Laursen was predominantly used in the central defense, but was also competent as a left back.
Career
He 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 HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
under manager Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
, on a free transfer
Bosman ruling
Union Royale Belge des Sociétés de Football Association ASBL v Jean-Marc Bosman is a 1995 European Court of Justice decision concerning freedom of movement for workers, freedom of association, and direct effect of article 39 of the EC Treaty...
in 2000. He was a fans favourite at Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
, scoring 5 goals in 82 appearances and helped the club reach the 2001 Scottish Cup Final
2001 Scottish Cup Final
The 2001 Scottish Cup Final was played on 26 May 2001 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 116th Scottish Cup competition. Celtic and Hibernian contested the match, Celtic won the match 3–0. Jackie McNamara opened the scoring in the first half running onto a through ball to angle the...
against Celtic
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...
, which they lost 3–0.
He signed for Celtic in a £1.5million deal in August 2002, and his first season saw him enjoy an extended run in the first team, thanks to injuries to other players. He made more than 20 appearances for "the Hoops" during the 2002–03 season
Scottish Premier League 2002-03
The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won by Rangers.As league champions, Rangers qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with runners-up Celtic also qualifying...
, including the 2003 UEFA Cup Final
2003 UEFA Cup Final
The 2003 UEFA Cup Final was played on 21 May 2003 between Celtic of Scotland and Porto of Portugal. Porto won the match 3–2 in extra time thanks to a goal from Derlei...
against FC Porto. However, he failed to make any appearances the following season. He saw more playing time during the 2004–05 season
Scottish Premier League 2004-05
The 2004–05 Scottish Premier League was won by Rangers.As league champions, Rangers qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with runners-up Celtic also qualifying...
, but he moved back to OB in the summer of 2005.
Laursen then transferred to F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is a professional Danish football club in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is part of the Parken Sport & Entertainment....
in January 2008. After only 6 months in Copenhagen, Laursen was selected as new captain after Michael Gravgaard
Michael Gravgaard
Michael Julius Gravgaard is a Danish former football player, who effectively ended his playing career at FC Nantes in May 2010. Despite the fact of having a contract with FC Nantes until July 2011, his club was not interested to honour the contract, and opted instead in May 2010, to try and file...
's departure to FC Nantes.
On 11 May 2010 Laursen confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 2009–10 season.
Honours
- 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...
: 2008–09Danish Superliga 2008-09The 2008–09 Danish Superliga was the 19th season of Danish Superliga league championship, which determines the winners of the Danish football championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. The season started on 19 July 2008 and ended on 31 May 2009. The defending champions were Aalborg...
& 2009–10 - Danish CupDanish CupThe Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
: 2006–07Danish Cup 2006-07The Danish Cups results of the 2006-2007 season. First round were played about August 9 and the final were played on May 17.The cup winner qualified for UEFA Cup qualification.-First round:...
, 2008–09Danish Cup 2008-09The Danish Cup 2008–09 was the 53rd season of only Danish football cup competition. It was the first time since 2004 that the cup had a sponsor name: the daily Newspaper Ekstra Bladet has signed a 3-year contract with the Danish Football Association , making the official name Ekstra Bladet Cup... - 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...
: 1998–99Danish 1st Division 1998-99This page displays the results of the Danish 1st Divisions 1998-1999-season.The division-champion and runner-up promoted to the Danish Superliga 1999-2000. The teams in the 13th to 16th spots relegated to the Danish 2nd Division 1999-2000.-Table:... - Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 2003–04Scottish Premier League 2003-04The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic.As league champions, Celtic qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with runners-up Rangers also qualifying... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 2003–04Scottish Cup 2003-04The 2003–04 Scottish Cup was the 119th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the Tennent's Scottish Cup. The Cup was won by Celtic who defeated Dunfermline Athletic in the final. The final was Henrik Larsson's last...
, 2004–05Scottish Cup 2004-05The 2004–05 Scottish Cup was the 120th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the Tennent's Scottish Cup... - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe 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...
runners up: 2002–03