Norwegian footballers made a splash in the Premier League in the 1990s, but who are the famous names of today? Let's take a look at famous Norwegian footballers, then and now.
Football may not be Norway’s national sport (that title almost certainly goes to skiing), but it is the country’s most popular team sport by far.
From the Arctic north to the southern coast, football pitches are found in almost every community. Norwegian football enjoys widespread participation and support.
While the Norwegian men’s national team has not qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000, the country has a long tradition of producing talented players who make their mark abroad.
In the 1990s, a golden generation of Norwegian footballers thrived in England’s Premier League, forming the backbone of a strong national side.
Clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Blackburn Rovers featured multiple Norwegian stars, and Norway briefly climbed as high as second in the FIFA world rankings.
Today, a new wave of players is carrying the torch, with names like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard becoming fixtures in top European leagues. These players have helped put Norway on the global football map, despite the national side's struggles.
In this article, we take a look at some of the most famous Norwegian footballers—past and present—whose careers have shaped the country's presence in the sport.
The 90s Premier League
The 1990s marked a golden era for Norwegian football, both domestically and internationally. The national team qualified for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and several players enjoyed success in the English Premier League.
In fact, at one point in the decade, only Brazil had more players in the Premier League than Norway. For fans of that era, certain names still carry legendary status.
Henning Berg
A dependable defender known for his intelligence and positioning, Henning Berg enjoyed great success in the Premier League. He was a key part of the Blackburn Rovers side that won the title in 1995, making over 100 appearances for the club.
In 1997, he transferred to Manchester United, where he added two more league titles and helped the club on their way to European glory. Berg remains the first player to win the Premier League with two different clubs.
After retiring, he went on to manage several clubs across Europe, including stints in Norway, Hungary, and Cyprus.
Tore André Flo
Tall, skilful, and surprisingly nimble for his height, Tore André Flo became a fan favourite at Chelsea after arriving from Brann in 1997. He scored 15 goals in his debut season, including a famous hat-trick against London rivals Spurs.
Flo played a key role in Chelsea’s success in the late 1990s, winning both the League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. He also scored against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.
In 2000, his record-breaking £12 million move to Rangers made him the most expensive Norwegian footballer at the time. After spells in Italy, Qatar, and back in Norway, Flo retired and went into coaching, returning to Chelsea as part of their backroom staff.
Alf-Inge Håland
A versatile defender and defensive midfielder, Alfie Håland spent over a decade in English football with Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City.
He earned a reputation as a tough tackler and reliable team player, though he is perhaps most remembered for his long-running feud with Manchester United’s Roy Keane. Their clashes became legendary, particularly Keane’s infamous revenge tackle in 2001.
Håland retired due to injury shortly thereafter. His son, Erling Haaland, has since eclipsed his fame, becoming one of the most feared strikers in world football.
Steffan Iversen
The son of Rosenborg legend Odd Iversen, Steffen forged his own legacy with Tottenham Hotspur, where he played from 1996 to 2003. He was the club’s top scorer in both the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons, and played a key role in Spurs’ League Cup win in 1999.
A series of injuries curtailed his impact in later years, and he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to Norway. Iversen also enjoyed a strong international career, earning over 70 caps for Norway.
He is fondly remembered at Rosenborg, where he won several domestic titles and helped the club compete regularly in the Champions League.
Erland Johnsen
A hard-working and committed centre-back, Johnsen moved from Bayern Munich to Chelsea in 1989 and spent nearly a decade at Stamford Bridge.
He was a regular starter throughout the early 90s and was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 1995. Johnsen was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 1997, although he didn’t feature in the final.
His most famous moment for Norway came in 1993, when he scored a controversial last-minute penalty against Poland that helped Norway qualify for the 1994 World Cup.
Ronny Johnsen
After bouncing around a number of clubs in Norway and even spent a season with Turkish side Besiktas, Johnsen found his way to Manchester United in the summer of 1996.
While at Manchester United, he won 4 league titles (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001), and one F.A. Cup in 1999 with the club. He was also a part of the team that won the Champions League in 1999. He remained at the club until his contract expired in 2002.
He then joined Aston Villa for two seasons before moving on to Newcastle United where he ended his career in 2005.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
One of the most recognizable Norwegian names, Ole Gunnar Solskjær enjoyed a successful career playing football before his move into management.
Solskjær’s career began in Norway, playing for two clubs (Clausnengen and Molde FK), before moving on to play as a forward for Manchester United in 1996. His career with the English club was plagued by injury, but he still enjoyed numerous successes including numerous Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup titles.
He was best-known as United for his role as an impact substitute. His most notable appearance as “super sub” came when he scored the injury time winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final.
After a hugely successful spell in charge of Molde FK, Solskjær returned to the UK to take the reins at Cardiff City. Things didn't go well for the Norwegian, and he soon returned to Molde for a second time.
After Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018, Solskjær was invited to take over as caretaker manager. He was scheduled to return to Molde, but was handed the job on a permanent basis after leading an astonishing turnaround on the pitch.
Egil Østenstad
A clever and instinctive striker, Østenstad made an immediate impact at Southampton after joining from Viking in 1996. He scored a memorable hat-trick against Manchester United in just his third Premier League appearance and finished his debut season with 11 goals.
He remained a popular figure on the south coast for several seasons, later moving to Blackburn Rovers and Rangers. Although he never quite replicated his early form, he remains one of the more successful Norwegian strikers of the era.
Lars Bohinen
An elegant and technically gifted midfielder, Bohinen made his mark at Nottingham Forest during their impressive 1994–95 season, scoring memorable goals including a long-range strike against Tottenham.
He also played for Blackburn Rovers, Derby County, and international clubs in Switzerland and Norway.
Known for his vision and calmness on the ball, Bohinen was a key part of the Norway squad during its 90s heyday. After retirement, he moved into coaching and football administration.
Current Norwegian players
While Norway’s men’s national team continues to chase qualification for major tournaments, individual Norwegian players are thriving at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
A new generation has taken up the mantle from the 1990s stars, led by one of the world’s most prolific goalscorers and a Premier League captain.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
A global superstar and goal-scoring phenomenon, Erling Braut Haaland has rapidly become one of the most dominant strikers of his generation.
Born in Leeds while his father, Alf-Inge Håland, was playing in the Premier League, Haaland grew up in Norway and began his football journey at hometown club Bryne FK.
His explosive potential was soon evident, and a move to Molde gave him his first taste of professional football at the top level. Haaland’s real breakthrough came in 2019 when he joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.
There, he took the football world by storm with a series of sensational performances in the UEFA Champions League, including a debut hat-trick and a record-breaking run of goals in consecutive matches.
In January 2020, he signed with Borussia Dortmund in Germany, where he continued his extraordinary rise. Haaland averaged nearly a goal per game during his time in the Bundesliga. His ability to score from almost any position, combined with his knack for delivering in big moments, made him a nightmare for defenders across Europe.
Haaland made the leap to the Premier League in 2022 when he joined Manchester City. In his debut season, he shattered the Premier League single-season scoring record with 36 goals, and helped City secure a historic treble.
His impact was instant and emphatic. In addition to his goal tally, Haaland’s movement off the ball, aerial dominance, and link-up play added a new dimension to City’s already formidable attack.
Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)
Once hailed as the wonderkid of European football, Martin Ødegaard’s journey from teenage prodigy to world-class playmaker has been anything but straightforward.
Born in Drammen, Ødegaard made headlines at just 15 when he debuted for hometown club Strømsgodset in Norway’s top division, quickly becoming the youngest goalscorer in league history.
His performances attracted attention from Europe’s biggest clubs, and in early 2015, he signed for Real Madrid at the age of 16. To gain experience, he embarked on a series of successful loan spells—first with Heerenveen and Vitesse in the Netherlands, and later with Real Sociedad in Spain.
In 2021, Ødegaard made a permanent move to Arsenal following a successful loan spell in north London. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, he flourished. His intelligence on the ball, ability to dictate tempo, and eye for a pass made him a natural fit for Arsenal’s evolving midfield.
In 2022, he was named club captain. Off the pitch, Ødegaard is known for his professionalism and quiet focus. On it, he has developed into one of the Premier League’s most elegant and effective midfielders, combining flair with work rate and technical excellence with tactical discipline.
For the Norwegian national team, Ødegaard wears the captain’s armband and plays a pivotal role in shaping the current generation.
Alexander Sørloth (Atlético Madrid)
A towering presence at 1.95 meters, Alexander Sørloth has emerged as a formidable striker in European football.
Born in Trondheim, Norway, he began his professional career with Rosenborg before embarking on a journey across various European leagues, including stints in the Netherlands, Denmark, England, Belgium, Turkey, Germany, and Spain.
Sørloth's breakthrough came during a loan spell at Turkish club Trabzonspor in the 2019–20 season, where he netted 24 goals in 34 league appearances, earning the Süper Lig Golden Boot. This prolific form led to a move to RB Leipzig, followed by successful loan periods at Real Sociedad.
In July 2023, Sørloth signed with Villarreal CF, where he enjoyed a standout season, scoring 23 goals in La Liga and finishing as the league's second-highest scorer. His performances caught the attention of Atlético Madrid, who secured his services in August 2024 for a reported fee of €32 million.
Sørloth made an immediate impact at Atlético, scoring on his debut against his former club, Villarreal. Throughout the 2024–25 season, he continued to impress, including a memorable stoppage-time winner against Barcelona in December 2024, marking Atlético's first away league victory over Barça since 2006.
His most remarkable performance came in May 2025, when he scored four goals in the first half against Real Sociedad, including a hat-trick within four minutes—a feat that broke a 19-year La Liga record.
For the Norwegian national team, Sørloth has been a consistent contributor, earning over 60 caps and scoring more than 20 goals. His physicality, aerial prowess, and clinical finishing make him a vital asset for both club and country.
Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford)
A tall, composed defender with excellent ball-playing skills, Ajer made a name for himself at Celtic, winning multiple domestic titles in Scotland.
In 2021, he joined Brentford and has since established himself as a reliable Premier League centre-back. Ajer is also a regular in the national team and part of a defensive core expected to lead Norway into future qualification campaigns.
Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica)
After strong performances with Molde and Feyenoord, Aursnes made a move to Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, where he has become a fixture in midfield.
His intelligent positioning and work rate make him a valuable asset both defensively and in attack. Aursnes has quietly become one of Norway’s most consistent performers on the European stage.
Morten Thorsby (Genoa)
A tireless central midfielder known for his pressing and engine, Thorsby made a name for himself in Serie A with Sampdoria before moving to Union Berlin and later Genoa.
Off the pitch, he is a prominent climate activist and founder of the “We Play Green” initiative, using football as a platform for environmental awareness.
Promising Norwegian Talents to Watch
While the spotlight shines on Haaland and Ødegaard, several younger players are making headlines:
Antonio Nusa (Club Brugge): A skilful winger with blistering pace, Nusa became the youngest Norwegian to score in the Champions League. Linked with Premier League clubs, he is tipped as a future star.
Oscar Bobb (Manchester City): A highly technical midfielder with excellent close control, Oscar Bobb is starting to feature for Manchester City and could follow Ødegaard’s path as a creative leader for Norway.
Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica/Nordsjælland): A rising star with an eye for goal, Schjelderup’s move to Benfica showed his potential, though he returned on loan to Denmark for regular game time.
Don’t forget English football existed long before the formation of the Premier League. One of Norway’s best exports to English football was the hugely popular Erik ‘The Viking’ Thorsvedt. He figured prominently for the mistake he made on the first-ever live broadcast in England of a league match but then went on to become one of Tottenham Hotspur’s best players. A true legend for Spurs fans everywhere.
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