Age: 19 (06.07.1953)
Position: Defender
Club: Lolland-Falster Alliancen (LFA)
International caps: Denmark U18: 5 match(es)
0 goal(s)
Denmark U17: 9 match(es)
0 goal(s)
Denmark U16: 7 match(es)
0 goal(s)
Value: Unknown
'Mathias is a talent. He's fast and defensive strong in 1:1. With some adjustments, he can be better in the offensive play. We expect a lot of him'.
- Jeppe Tengbjerg, Head coach in LFAMathias Redsted started playing football in the local club Slaglille-Bjernede Gymnastik of Idrætsforening, but joined Brøndby aged 10. It was quite an incident that Brøndby should be his club for many years:
'I have always been to Football Summer Camps, and after a couple of years, the camp coach had kept an eye on me and believed that I was something more than the ordinary, compared to the rest at my age'.The coach, therefore, asked Redsteds father if the young boy should probably try himself on a higher level.
'My father didn't know much about football, and at the time Brøndby was one of the best teams in Denmark. I tried some different clubs; first Køge, but they didn't have time over the summer and then I ended up in Brøndby'.In his first season in Brønby as a youth player, Mathias Redsted ended as number two on the top scorer list and third on the assist. However, asked if there is a striker hidden in the defender, Redsted laughed and said:
'Yes, but it is years ago! I have been moved around playing striker, then wing before playing defender and now I am at the right back'.At the age of 15, Redsted was on a trial at the league competitors FC Midtjylland and offered a contract. However, the Dane rejected the offer and signed with Brøndby. It was an easy choice for the defender as he felt he could obtain the same education in Brøndby.
Redsted started in college and moved closer to the club and into the coach John Ranum's home together with some other talents.
The national youth teams also became available for Redsted when he was chosen for the U16 team. Here, he played 7 matches before being promoted to the U17 and later the U18. The defender acknowledge the impact the Danish youth teams has had on his career:
'It has given me some international experience. The training in Brøndby is at a high level, but when you're with the national team you know your with the best in the country'.After eight years in Brøndby and a number of youth gold and silver medals, as well as training with the first team squad, the club decided not to give Mathias Redsted a new contract. After a trial at Lolland-Falster Alliancen, the defender signed a contract with the 2. division team. However, the former Brøndby player looks back at a great time in the club:
'Throughout the years I have had so many experiences both as a player but also as a person. All the tournaments and the matches on a high level, the football tours everything about the club, I would not have been without it'.Mathias Redsted is aware that the change to a lower divison might have an impact on his future career for the Danish national team. However, the defender explains it as 'one step back and two steps ahead later'. He also made it clear that the most important for him was to have some regular match experience at this young age.
'It is great for my career to try something new and to show my self off for a new team. Here, I can take some responsibility as well'.Even though, Mathias Redsted is now playing in a lower division the dream of an adventure abroad has not died.
'Holland, Spain or England could be interesting. I am a fan of technique football so Spain and Holland is to prefer'.
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