There have been an increasing number of reports circulating that Newcastle United may be interested in Norwegian center-back Brede Hangeland.
The 6’4″ FC Copenhagen defender has admitted that he would be tempted by a move to the Premier League. Let’s take a look at the potential status of this deal.
Brede Hangeland
Newcastle have reportedly shown interest in the 26-year-old Norway international and, while the player says no contact has been made as yet, says he would be very interested in a deal.
Brede told Bergens Tidende.
“I haven’t heard anything myself from the Englishmen, but Newcastle is of course a top club”
“Our last season was truly fantastic but, at the same time, I have given my agent permission to look for a top club for me.”
A host of clubs – including West Ham – have been linked with his signature in recent weeks, but now Newcastle are said to be keen.
The player’s agent Jim Solbakken refused to comment on the reported link with Newcastle:
“I do not want to comment on anything. Brede Hangeland is enjoying himself in FC Copenhagen,”
If Newcastle have tabled a bid, I should know about it and I don’t know anything,”
Copenhagen have denied that Newcastle have lodged a bid.
Brede Paulsen Hangeland (born June 20, 1981 in Houston, Texas) turned 26 last month and currently plays for F.C. Copenhagen and the Norwegian national team.
Standing over 6’4†tall, Hangeland plays as a defender (center back) or defensive midfielder. He arrived at Viking from local club Vidar F.K. at the start of the 2001 season. He made his International debut in a 1-0 win against Austria in 2002, and has so far played more than 30 matches for Norway, mostly as a central defender.
In 2005, he was made captain of Viking, and has played a total of 187 games for the club.
On January 16, of last year he signed a contract with the Danish club F.C. Copenhagen and has since played 45 times for them scoring one goal.
Comments Welcome.
24 comments so far
Soren
Jul 5, 2007 at 7:38 AM
Comment #1Hangeland is a very solid and good defender. He was part of an excellent defence in the last danish campaign(only conceded 23 goals in 33 games, and did a great job. He also played very well when Copenhagen played in the Champions League against Man U, Celtic and Benfica. I think he would be a solid buy, and his height is also a great addition.
kopi
Jul 5, 2007 at 7:52 AM
Comment #2i think he is a decent defender we need….
Gunnar Pétur (Iceland)
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:16 AM
Comment #3Although it seems like a pure speculation this could be a very interesting buy if it would happen. Height is something Newcastle have been missing past seasons and Sam has allready said that one of his main priorities is to add height to the squad.
Stephen
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:23 AM
Comment #4Another bargain if we go and get him could turn out to be a new Vidic from Man united.Better off looking abroad for players english players too expensive example Bent 17 million .We are better off looking around the world to find a good price and is as good as the over value players in England
Soren
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:25 AM
Comment #5Hangeland is also great at set pieces. When Copenhagen played champions league, they focused alot on set pieces, because they where meeting better teams, but in the air they dominated, and Hangeland was one of the main reasons why.
Lunghit
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:26 AM
Comment #6For gods sake GET HIM.
He was a really good playing for Viking in Norway, but after joining FC Copenhagen he has grown immensely. He got picked for the team of the year in the Danish League, and has without a doubt been Norways best performer in the European Qualification matches.
At 26 he’s still relatively young, so his potential is not yet fulfilled, but he’s already more than capable of playing in the Premier League I think.
Good physique, tall and good in the air and a playing central defender.
Just what we need.
k-man
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:38 AM
Comment #7Im a norvegian, and has obviously seen Hangeland playing for Norway. I can say right away, that this is not another Vidic. Although Soren, beeing a danish follower of Copenhagen, seems to rate him – im not that entuciastic.
He is obviously tall, but he is simply not top premier class. We could just as well play Ramage, who is also younger.
As far as im concerned this is just paper talk, started in a norvegian paper 2 weeks ago. The article said that Newcastle were rumored to have tabled a bid, and in the interview with the club, manager, player and agent this was all new to them – nobody had heard anyting. So don’t excpect this to be anything but rubbish – just as well.
James
Jul 5, 2007 at 8:59 AM
Comment #8just what we need at newcastle utd
Anders
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Comment #9Brede is a decent defender, but I`m not sure if he`s good enough for us.
Excellent in the air, strong, comfortable on the ball, but he is not very fast. He is able to read the game well, which kinda makes up for his lack of pace.
He is steady, not mishap prone like Bramble for instance.
Still I`m not entirely convinced he is what we need.
Good defender- Yes. World-class- No
Robert-from Croatia
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:07 AM
Comment #10it would be nice backup for Steven Taylor and David Rozehnal.It worth a shot.Buy him
Anders
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:11 AM
Comment #11Søren, we are being linked with Atiba Hutchinson also.
Got any info on this guy? Seen him a few times, cant remember if he made an impression 😉
AndyT
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:11 AM
Comment #12Sounds good by all accounts – and I like it when we’re linked to defenders instead of attacking players.
Morten O.
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:50 AM
Comment #13Hangeland would have been perfect for NUFC. He’s got authority and he’s smart. And of course, he’s got the skills required. If I were Sam I wouldn’t have hesitated a minute. Everybody who attended or watched the last Norway international fixture would really know what I’m talking about. Brede for NUFC !!
Lunghit
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Comment #14K-man.
Just to remind you…Brede Hangeland mostly played as a defensive midfielder while at Viking. After Staale Solbakken, FC Copenhagens manager, started playing him as a central defender he has really excelled and have gotten rave reviews for his performances in both the Danish League and Champions League. On the national scene he’s been our best player without a doubt…strong, cool and composed.
Like I said before, he’s not the finished article. But, I think he’s worth buying. He wouldn’t cost that much…2-3 million £…and Big Sam can make him into a premiership player.
To compare him with Ramage is a joke. I’d take Hangeland over Ramage any time. Ramage is a squad player, nothing more…
And even though Norway is a small country compared to England, we are still talking about a regular international.
BUY HIM. It’ll pay off.
Guy
Jul 5, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Comment #15Sounds perfect for the the prem. It doesn’t matter that he is not so quick BS just won’t make him mark Craig Bellamy etc.
k-man
Jul 5, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Comment #16Im not comparing with the time in Viking, im saying “seen Hangeland playing for Norway”. So the present day. I don’t think the difference between Ramage and Brede is that big (under BSA guidance). Ramage surely did a few errors last season, but so did the rest of the team (though Ramage may have lead the que). Brede will be a squad-player too, just as Ramage will. However Ramage is younger, and I think/hope will develop under BSA, to a better player.
I really don’t think there is any idea, bringing in players that aren’t much better than what we currently have. We need to strenghten our first team. But if the idea is to stack up the club with average players – sure Brede will do.
Lunghit
Jul 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Comment #17Buy him;-)
Soren
Jul 5, 2007 at 11:02 AM
Comment #18Anders – Yes Atiba would be awesome 😉
FCK has some real gems in thier sqaud, and Hangeland and Hutchinson are some of them. Stuttgart and Werder Bremen has expressed interest in Atiba some time ago. Atiba would also add height to the midfield. But our midfield is crowded all ready, so don’t know how much to put on that rumor. Still both would be solid signings.
Soren
Jul 5, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Comment #19Atiba was perhaps one of the greater performer in this past season for FCK, and this past season being one of the best season in danish history, that says a few things. He is damn hard working midfielder, and has pretty good technique for a guy with such long legs 🙂 In the champions league he also played as a holding striker, and added some needed physique to FCK’s attack against Man U, Celtic and Benficas strong defences.
Soren
Jul 5, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Comment #20Atiba is also a canadian international player. So I guess Edgar also may know about him? 🙂
Neil
Jul 5, 2007 at 3:54 PM
Comment #21I would love to see a Norwegian international at Newcastle. He seems like he could be a solid player.
ADAM
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:01 PM
Comment #22GIVEN
GERIMI S.TAYLOR ROZENHAL W.BRIDGE
MILNER BARTON DYER S.W. PHILLIPHS
VIDUKA OWEN
SUBS
HARPER , HYYPIA , MARTINS , HANGLAND , GODJOHNSON , A. CIISE
AND EDMILSON ON JANUARY 1ST MAYBE RUUD VAN NISSLEROOY AS WELL.
LIAM
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:02 PM
Comment #23NEWCASTLE UNITED TO COME IN TOP 4
RYAN
Jul 5, 2007 at 9:03 PM
Comment #24SAM THE MAN FOR NUFC TOP 4 FINNISH PLEASE