The Norwegian enclave in South-west London appears to be expanding with Norwegian media reporting that Bjørn Helge Riise will join Brede Hangeland and Erik Nevland at Fulham. Riise becomes the second player from the Tippeliga to be signed by a Premier League club in just a couple of days, and the third high-profile player to leave the league after Vålerenga’s Daniel Fredheim Holm signed for Danish side AaB ten days ago.
NFN reported earlier this season that Fulham-manager Roy Hodgson was in Norway watching Lillestrøm – Rosenborg, and at the time it was thought that he was primarily looking at RBK-players. This seemed to make sense as Rosenborg’s entire midfield is looking for a move abroad this summer, and Hodgson was even seen sitting next to an agent representing one of them. As it turns out, the player who must have caught his eye was Lillestrøm’s Bjørn Helge Riise, who scored a goal and generally looked lively on the night.
Like his more famous brother, Bjørn Helge Riise first moved abroad at the age of 18. But unlike John Arne, who quickly established himself as a member of the first team at Monaco, Bjørn Helge’s move to Belgium and Standard Liege didn’t really work out, and after a few seasons he returned to Norway to play for Lillestrøm. Since his return in 2005 he’s played 86 games and scored 10 goals for LSK as well as earning regular call-ups to the Norwegian national side. A right-sided midfielder who can also play “in the hole”, Bjørn Helge is known for his high work-rate and strong overall physique, as well has having a decent right foot.
The signing, if it goes through, is a bit of a surprise as Bjørn Helge Riise at the age of 26 has done very little in his career that suggests he’s capable of playing regularly in the Premier League. Still, Roy Hodgson is usually an astute judge of talent and, with the Norwegian media reporting a transfer fee between 15 and 20 million kr, Riise won’t be a particularly expensive investment by Premier League standards. Also, there’s no shortage of examples of pretty ordinary players who have done well for themselves in England through hard work and determination, two things you can always expect from Bjørn Helge Riise.
In a summer where quite a few Norwegian clubs are hoping to save their financial bacon by selling players abroad, it’s a much needed image-boost for the Norwegian league that two players have already been sold to clubs from the much vaunted English Premier League.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:24 am
Amazing that a guy who plays for one the worst teams in the Tipp would get a contract with a EPL team. Shocking stuff and should give hope to every player in the league.
Has Start’s cost cutting moves stopped or wiil they sell some players this Summer. They closed their team store, are going to plastic grass, cut Ole Martin’s wages and release old Erik. Both Bolanos & Goodson deserve to be playing in a better league for a better manager so this next month could be very interesting in Kristiansand.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hodgson seems to like his Nordic journeymen, doesn’t he? Toni Kallio was a surprise signing for most people, maybe Riise will do okay after all. Given the price of pretty awful English players right now, it’s no surprise teams are looking north for better value mediocrity.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Euroman, Saw your man Goodson play over the weekend. He came on in the first half as a sub for the injured Jimmy Conrad in the U.S. win over Panama. He had a good second half and over time period. Overall, the U.S. looked a little shakey. Troy Perkins (Valerenga) was in goal the entire 120 minutes and picked up the win.
From what Lars has said, I think any Tippe team not thinking of medals and the Europa Cup, but comfortable that they will stay up, will sell players this summer. That could be Start. Bolanos would probably be the first to go. The U.S. press has reported that Goodson and his wife love Norway. He might want to stay rather than pack his bags and drag his family “all over Europe”.
I would think deeper teams, like Rosenberg and Molde, will off load a few players while not weakening their overall strength.
Who will join Lyn in the road down? And who will get to play in Europe in 2010? The fall season should be fun.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I think Riise will do ok, he’s pretty fast and works his nuts off, two qualities that’ll take you long long way in English football.
Al: I think everyone, EVERYONE will sell players if they get decent offers. Still, with the Diouf-deal settled Molde might not do any more business, so we’ll just have to see who Rosenborg decide to hang on to and who they’ll let go.
If Goodson likes it here he might make an attractive proposition for one of the richer teams in the country..
July 21st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I have not heard that Goodson likes Norway to a point he wants to stay to exclusion of any other place. My guess is he is a professional who is open to all opportunies every where.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
…deserve to play in a better league.. isn’t that to devalue Tippeligan? come on
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:29 am
I agree with you Kalle.
I also doubt that Goodson will see any offers from one of the leagues bigger teams cause i do nt think they have the money.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I agree. There is money in football just not in Norway. With one year left on Goodson contract they will be forced to sell him now or in January if they are to make any money from his exit.