Jets sign former Danish international striker

Newcastle Jets today completed the signing of former Denmark international, two-time Danish Superliga top scorer and three-time winner Morten Nordstrand through to the completion of the current A-League campaign.

FC Nordsjaelland Morten Nordstrand during the Superliga football match between FC Nordsjaelland and Aalborg BK in Farum Park Stadium in Farum, Denmark on May 7th 2014. Source: AFP

32-year-old Nordstrand – who made his full international debut for Denmark against the Socceroos in London in 2007 – links with the Jets having most recently plied his trade for Aarhus in the top tier of football in his homeland.

Until now Nordstrand has spent the vast majority of his professional club career playing for top teams in his native Denmark.

Indeed, Nordstrand is a household name for football fans in the Nordic nation – when the three-time Danish Cup Champion was transferred from FC Nordsjælland to FC Copenhagen in 2007 his fee of over $3million was the largest ever paid for a player between Danish clubs.

In total, Nordstrand has 74 goals in 276 matches as well as 35 assists. 

Having played in the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues in the past, as well as having spent a period on loan in the Dutch Eredivisie with FC Groningen, Nordstrand arrives in Australia with the Jets hoping he will add extra experience and intelligence to their attack.

The Scandinavian star said that he is excited to commence a new chapter in his career in the A-League.

“I am a long way from home but I wanted to experience something new and this is a big chance for me,” Nordstrand, who will commence training with his new teammates on Friday, said.

“I have played in Denmark for many years and wanted to try something else. I am really excited to be here, meet all the guys, get to know them and start training and playing.”

Nordstrand said Jets Members and supporters can expect to see energy in his performances.

“I am either a nine or a ten,” he said. “I move a lot when I play.”

“I like to find space between the lines, go in the box, score goals or create chances for my teammates.

Nordstrand joins his former international teammate, Melbourne City’s Thomas Sørensen, in representing Denmark in the A-League.

Indeed, Nordstrand’s Newcastle bow - pending requisite international clearances - could well come Sørensen’s City when the Jets host Melbourne at Hunter Stadium on Sunday 7 February.

Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller believes Nordstrand will prove to be a strong acquisition for the club.

“Morten adds experience and quality to our final third,” Miller explained. “He possesses football intelligence and a striker’s instinct.”

“Our recruitment process has highlighted how professional, driven and committed Morten is, and given his background we believe that he will add to the club culturally too.”

“I discussed Morten with a range of my contacts in Europe and each gave a glowing report regarding not only his ability, but also his character,” Miller said. 

Newcastle Jets Interim Chief Executive said the addition of Nordstrand to the club’s A-League squad until at least the completion of the campaign underlines Football Federation Australia’s (FFA’s) commitment to the club.

“FFA have further demonstrated their commitment to the Newcastle Jets and football in Northern New South Wales by reinvesting money sourced from the transfer of Lee Ki-je to Ulsan Hyundai earlier this month into the club,” Eland said.

“We’re convinced that Morten will improve the depth and quality of our first team squad,” he concluded.

Nordstrand will meet his new Newcastle Jets teammates and participate in his first training session with them on Friday morning.