Name: Nicolai Larsen
               Age: 21 (09.03.1991)
          Position: Goalkeeper
              Club: Aalborg BK
International caps: Denmark U21:  4 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U20:  1 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U19: 13 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U18:  7 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U17: 11 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U16:  1 Match(es)
                                  0 Goal(s)
             Value: £450.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk)

He is 21-years old, first choice in Aalborg BK and last night he played his match number 50 in the Danish Superliga; this week we keep an eye on Nicolai Larsen.

The goalkeeper started his youth career in Herlev IF, before joining Lyngby BK in 2005. Here, he has a spell on the youth teams which also led to interest from a couple of English clubs:
"As a junior I was at a trial in Tottenham, [Aston] Villa and Portsmouth, and it was just an experience to try out for some of the big teams."

Larsen also had a tryout in Everton in 2009, and was invited to play a match for the reserves. A contract seemed near, but in the last minute Everton pulled out. Instead, Larsen in 2010 joined Aalborg BK as a reserve to their goalkeeper Karim Zaza.
"I saw it as the best possible way to develop my play. In Lyngby, I would have been the second or third choice while, in Aalborg, I would be next to Zaza."

Nicolai Larsen was brought to Aalborg as a reserve, and was supposed to learn from Karim Zaza. However, after a year Zaza did not get his contract extended, and Larsen took over as the number one. Aalborg coach Kent Nielsen says:
"He was brought to the club as a talented goalkeeper and a stand-by for Zaza. He would then have a couple of years to develop into a first team goalkeeper."

However, the situation changed, and Kent Nielsen gave Larsen the chance:
"We felt that, despite his age, he wouldn't panic if he was thrown into this."

Nicolai Larsen took the up the challenge and yesterday played his match number 50 for Aalborg. Nicolai Larsen and his teammates has surprised everyone this season and is currently three in the Danish League, and the goal keeper is hoping for more:
"We are a team in development, and we ave many young, talented players. It's all about people continuing their development, and if we can keep them in the club, we have a very exciting team the next couple of years that can be a part of the top three."

However, someday Larsen himself might leave Aalborg and England is a target for the goalkeeper:
"I hope one day to be playing in England, hopefully in the Premier League. However, I just hope I can get a chance in English football and experience the English fan-culture, and then it does'nt really matter which league it is."

Aalborg coach Kent Nielsen is aware of the goalkeepers talent, but will not hold him back if a club should make an offer. It is a part of the game according to Nielsen.

Nicolai Larsen has so far played 37 matches on different Danish national youth teams, but is currently second choice for Frederik Rønnow on the Danish U21. However, the dream of representing Denmark on A-level is still there:
"The highest point in your career is to represent your nation and I have a dream of doing so."

However, the Aalborg keeper knows that he have to deliver great performances for his club, in order to impress the Danish national coach. Right now the club is Aalborg where his contract expires in 2015.