Erlend Hanstveit

Erlend Hanstveit
Personal information
Full name Erlend Hanstveit
Date of birth 28 January 1981 (1981-01-28) (age 31)
Place of birth Bergen, Norway
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 12 in)
Playing position Left back
Left wingback
Club information
Current club Helsingborgs IF
Number 24
Youth career
000–1998 Osterøy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2008 Brann[1] 202 (8)
2009–2011 Gent 50 (0)
2011– Helsingborgs IF 7 (1)
National team
2000–2004 Norway U21 26 (0)
2004– Norway 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 May 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 May 2006

Erlend Hanstveit (born 28 January 1981 in Bergen) is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Helsingborgs IF.

Hailing from Osterøy, he joined Norwegian Premier League team Brann in June 1998 despite interest from big clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Leeds United and Manchester United, with whom he had a trial in December 1997. Originally a midfielder, he gradually became a first team regular at Brann as well as the Norway national under-21 football team, playing 27 international U-21 matches in total. During 2001–02, Erlend Hanstveit converted to defence, settling in the left back position, where he has played since. On 28 January 2004, his 23rd birthday, Hanstveit made his debut for the senior national team.

Hanstveit became one of the mainstays in Brann, with over 200 Norwegian Premier League matches and over 270 matches in total. During his 10-year career in Brann, Hanstveit won one Premiership gold, two silver, and two bronze, in addition to the 2004 Norwegian Cup and Norwegian Cup silver in 1999. He was also the club's vice-captain from 2004 to 2008.

In early December 2008, he joined Celtic on a week-long trial but failed to win a contract with the Scottish Premier League club.[2] However, he did not accept Brann's contract offer either, due to his wish to play abroad. During the winter break of 2008–09 he joined the Belgian team KAA Gent, coached by Michel Preud'homme.[3]

On the 24rd of August 2011 it was announced that Hanstveit would be joining Swedish club Helsingborgs IF on a free transfer. Gent had wanted to extend his contract but the Norwegian wanted to move.

Honours

Club

Brann
Gent
Helsingborgs IF

References