The Newcastle Jets have signed Danish international striker, Jesper Håkansson, on a 2-year deal today. Håkansson becomes the first Scandanavian player to sign for the Jets.
The Newcastle Jets have today signed Danish striker Jesper Håkansson on a 2-year contract. Håkansson has been trialling with the club for the past week and fills one of the final spots in the Jets- 2008/09 playing roster.
Håkansson, 26, brings with him an impressive pedigree having played in over 70 games in the Dutch Eredivisie for the likes of SC Heerenveen, RBC Roosendaal and ADO Den Haag, as well as having spells in Sweden and his native Denmark. He has also played for Denmark at Under-19/20/21 levels before being selected in the Danish National Team last year. Indeed, Jesper was the third youngest player in history to represent his country at Under-21 level when he was selected during the 1999/2000 European season – only Thomas Sørensen and Michael Laudrup were younger when selected. In 1997 Håkansson went on to claim the Danish Under-17 Player of the Year award.
Comfortable playing up-front at the point of the attack or as a wide player, the Danish International comes to the Jets in goalscoring form having netted in his last outing for his former Danish Superligaen club Lyngby Boldklub on Saturday, 24 May 2008 against FC København.
In 1999, Håkansson trialled with English Premier League club Manchester United, but instead signed with SC Heerenveen as he believed he would gain more game time in the Eredivisie. His decision was justified in his debut game for the club, scoring a classic goal at Amsterdam Arena against Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.
Newcastle Jets CEO John Tsatsimas today expressed his delight with the club-s most recent acquisition.
“It is certainly wonderful to have a player with Jesper-s background and record joining our club,” Mr. Tsatsimas said.
“We believe that Jesper will fit in nicely with the squad that we have here, and will easily find his feet in Australia as he settles in for the next two seasons in the Hyundai A-League.
“Head Coach Gary van Egmond has undertaken an extensive selection process since the team were crowned Champions last February, and has thus far formed a formidable squad for the Title defence.”
Håkansson is currently in Port Macquarie with the rest of the Jets- squad as the team prepares for the upcoming 2008/09 Hyundai A-League Season.
“The signing of Jesper is certainly something that our club is proud of and it will be an exciting prospect to see him stepping onto EnergyAustralia Stadium wearing the gold jersey of the Newcastle Jets come Round 1 on August 15th,” said Mr. Tsatsimas.
Jesper Håkansson Profile
Date of birth August 14, 1981
Place of birth Albertslund, Denmark
Playing position Attacking Midfielder/Striker
Playing History
Year Club Appearances (Goals)
1999-2002 SC Heerenveen 22 (7)
2003 Viborg FF (loan) 6 (0)
2003-2004 SC Heerenveen 23 (3)
2004-2005 RBC Roosendaal (loan) 24 (6)
2005-2006 Djurgårdens IF 1 (0)
2006-2007 ADO Den Haag 6 (0)
2007-2008 Lyngby BK 23 (3)
Achievements
• Represented Denmark at Under 19/20/21 levels
• Selected for Danish National Team in 2007
• Danish Under-17 Player of the Year in 1997
• Swedish Champions and Cup Winners in 2005 with Djurgårdens IF
