Six months after joining Cardiff, the Danish striker is returning home to Denmark, according to Wales Online.
Andreas Cornelius joined Cardiff in the summer transfer window, but have never had the success hoped for. Now, FC Copenhagen should be close to settle a 2.9m deal for the Dane bringing him back to Parken.
The club announced earlier today that they were close to settle a deal with Cardiff and according to Wales Online it should be a permanent change and not a loan deal.
The newly promoted Welsh club has signed the Danish talent.
Cardiff City has just announced that they have reached an agreement with FC Copenhagen for the talented striker Andreas Cornelius. The Dane became the top scorer in the Danish Superliga last season with 18 goals, and has made his breakthrough on the Danish national team while Bendtner has been out.
The talented striker is the third Dane to join the Premier League this summer, as Nicklas Helenius and Jores Okore has joined Aston Villa. The 20-year old has earlier been linked to Everton, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs, but Cardiff City has now signed the player.
According to FCK, the agreed transfer fee is about 65m Danish Kroner (£5.7m).
A couple of years ago Alexander Jakobsen became famous; not only in Denmark but in most of the world. Back then, Jakobsen half-time entertainment in Parken and known for his Danske Bank commercial... He was the Danish Ronaldinho. Today, he has had a couple of years in the shadow, but is not ready to take the scene once again.
In Denmark Jakobsen played in both FC Copenhagen's youth department KB and in Lyngby, before joining PSV 18 months ago. It was at Copenhagen's home ground, Parken, the media circus around the Danish-Egyptian started with half-time entertainment. Soon after, Alexander Jakobsen's name was on every Danes lips when we appeared in a commercial for the bank, Danske Bank.
Jakobsen says about the time: "I was a school boy who loved football, and I got extreme attention which I was not ready for. I was on television every twenty second because of that commercial and when I was shopping with my mother I had to wear a hat not to be recognised. It was extreme, but I am happy I got the opportunity."
The Dane quickly became known as Denmark's Ronaldinho, and his reputation spread all over Europe. Twice he was invited to Liverpool, and on the rumour mill both Real Madrid and Barcelona was interested in the young players. However, Jakobsen stayed in Copenhagen where reality hit him:
"I had a hard time in FCK, where I was struggling with injuries. I was invited to Liverpool twice, and the club liked me; everything was going great and nothing could stop me. Then suddenly I had my injury, and almost had to start over and fight to comeback. I realised that it was not as easy as I thought, but I have learned from it."
It is no wonder that Jakobsen is a talent. His father is the former Al Ahly and Egypt national team player Adel Ahmed, and he is supporting his son all the way.
"I learned a lot from my father while I was in FCK and Lyngby; he means a lot to me. He has felt it on his own body, so he tells me what to do and not to do on and off the pitch. I’m just happy that I have his support," the winger says.
Later, the Danish Ronaldinho joined Lyngby before leaving Denmark to play for PSV Eindhoven. Immediately, Jakobsen felt the difference between Danish and Dutch football as he experienced a more competitive environment, where only the best players are chosen for the matches.
During the interview, Alexander Jakobsen remembers an episode from one of his first trainings in the Dutch club:
"In training I was playing attacking midfield, and the defensive midfielder from the other team started talking to me and asking me things. I lost my concentration because I answered him and then when I got the ball he ‘smashed’ me down. It is a very different mentality; you do everything to win."
Jan Heintze
However, it was not only on the training ground, the talent had problems. From the start, he missed his family, friends and girlfriend, but at the same time he is aware that this has only made him stronger. In Eindhoven, Jakobsen moved in with the former Danish national player Jan Heintze, from whom he learns a lot. After matches, Heintze speaks with the talent, and tells him where he can improve and what he can do different. Furthermore, the former Danish nationaland PSV Eindhoven player encourage Alexander to keep developing.
"Sometimes when I’m watching TV he comes with a newspaper or something else from his time at the national team. When I see what Jan has achieved it makes me hungry for more and makes me want more. Maybe on his level or even higher," Jakobsen says laughing.
Jan Heintze is not Jakobsen's only Danish friend in Eindhoven, who also have Mathias Zanka Jørgensen on contract. The 22-year-old defender and Jakobsen often goes out for dinner or meet for a game of PlayStation.
While Zanka has had his debut on the Danish national team, Danes can not expect to see Jakobsen in the red shirt. Due to his Egyptian father and Danish mother, Alexander Jakobsen has the opportunity to represent either Denmark or Egypt on a national level. So far he has not got a youth match for Denmark, and now Egypt is likely to invite him to play at the African Cup of Nations for under-20's. An invitation Jakobsen is ready to accept, but at the same time he has not decided which national team he will represent on A-level.
The future will tell which country the talent will represent. One thing is for sure; Jakobsen is one of many Danish players who has been through the Dutch system; many of them only to return to Danish football. However, Jakobsen is confident that he can make it in Holland and in other European leagues. After a couple of years with less or no attention from the media, the boy formerly known as Denmark's Ronaldinho is ready for more.
"I’ve been here 1½ year now, I speak fluent Dutch and I haven’t missed the media attention, but now it is beginning to return because I am doing well. And to be honest I like it when people recognise me on the street", he says.
Joining FC Copenhagen's youth department KB as 13-years old, Jakob Busk Jensen has been through a massive development, making him one of the most interesting young goalkeepers in Denmark.
The 19-year old keeper has been a regular name on the match sheet throughout his youth career in KB and for the Danish national youth teams. Jakob Busk appreciates the pressure of being part of one of the top Scandinavian clubs.
"The expectations to you are higher, but so are the club's resources as well", says the goalkeeper.
Assistant Manager, Brian Reimer said in an interview with FCK's own news channel fckobenhavntv about the young keeper:
"He is a top professional player, who has been used to, through his youth matches for the national team and as a part of the captain group on our own U19 team, to take responsibility. His act and his approach, as well as his humility of being a reserve have been fantastic."
And added, "He is a goalkeeper, whom I hope we will see more to in FC Copenhagen."
Jakob Busk has so far represented his nation in 20 matches on a youth level, 11 of them on the U19. Here, he was a part of the team playing the European Qualification and reaching the Elite round where they ended as second. Furthermore, the goalkeeper was selected for the U20 team participating in the NI Milk Cup last summer.
Despite, having tasted success with the national team, Busk is not longing to take the next step:
"In these matches you meet some of the best youth players in the world, and it is great to have as a ballast. However, I am not thinking about the U21 national team. I am sure it will come if it is meant to be."
In Copenhagen, the talent is the third choice after Johan Wiland and Kim Christensen, two goalkeepers with a lot of routine. However, Busk are happy to learn from his two colleagues and is willing to wait for his chance as he is sure it will come sooner or later.
At the same time, the Busk Jensen admits that, at some point, he needs to get a breakthrough and play more matches.
"I can't be a reserve for ever, but I'm taking it slow and not thinking about chancing club," the keeper says.
The future looks bright for Jakob Busk Jensen as he has the support needed from the club and is expected to be representing the club some day. The keeper himself, only has one goal; to reach his potential.
The second leg of the Champions League qualification match, between Lille and FC Copenhagen, is the Match of the Week!
Stadium Lille Métropole de Villeneuve
29-08-2012 @ 19.45 BST
What is the status of the two teams before the match?
Both teams should have all players available for the match. In Copenhagen, there has been some doubts about the goal keeper Johan Wiland. However, the Swede seems to be fit for the second leg.
How is the two teams form?
Lille is currently positioned as number 8 in the french Le Championnat, with five points after three matches. The team has not had the start they had hoped for, with only one victory and two draws against smaller teams.
FC Copenhagen is so far unbeaten in the Danish Superliga, and with their 1-0 win in the first match against Lille, they have had a terrific start on the season. The loss of attacker Dame N'Doye has been forgotten, by Cesar Santin, who scored against Lille.
What to expect from this match?
After the 1-0 defeat to Copenhagen, Lille Coach Rudi Garcia said that they still had the chance to win go through to the next round. This means that LOSC will attack from the start. However, they still have to take care in defends, as a FCK goal will bring they even further away from the ChL.
Copenhagen can settle with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw. We will probably see a defensive Copenhagen team who is afraid of taking any chances. An early goal from Lille will certainly bring some excitement in to the match.
Who will win?
Not many had left Copenhagen with a chance against Lille. However, the Danes surprised and won 1-0. Danish teams often has trouble playing in France, and given that LOSC will have to come forward to win this match it will be a hard one for Copenhagen. I believe that Lille will win a 2-0 victory.
What are the odds?
There is no doubt in the bookmakers doubt. LOSC Lille is going to win this one. However, if you have the guts, Copenhagen will give back big time.
Six months after joining Cardiff, the Danish striker is returning home to Denmark, according to Wales Online.
