- Name: Nicolaj Thomsen
- Age: 21 (08-05-1993)
- Club: Aalborg BK
- Position: Left Midfield
- International Caps:
- Denmark U21
- 10 matches / 2 goals
- Denmark U19
- 7 matches / 0 goals
- Denmark U18
- 4 matches / 0 goals
- Value: £650.000
He has just turned 21-years old and has only played one full season in Aalborg BK, but can hang his first gold medal around his neck in just a week's time. This week we keep an eye on Aalborgs young star Nicolaj Thomsen.
He came out of nowhere, the young left midfielder starting in Aalborgs first match of the season; neither fans or commentators knew who the talent was. They do now. Thomsen has, despite his young age, played every single match for AaB this season, and made eight assists and four goals. Before the season, all attention was on another young AaB-star, Kasper Kusk, and that might have taken some of the pressure off Thomsen:
“It might be right, but I guess that there never is a great pressure on a young player, as people don’t know what to expect from a new young player. I knew that I had to impress so that added some pressure, but there was a lot of focus on Kusk and he deserves it,” Thomsen says,
“Before the season started, I didn’t expect to be playing in every single match of the season, but I’m very happy that I have and I feel I’ve become better and better.”
However, the winger has worked hard to get where he is now. As a child he played in Frederikshavn, north of Aalborg, and contacted AaB for a trial. After a few tryouts, he was told he was too small and had to go home and work on his speed if he wanted to play for AaB. He did just that, and when AaB opened their own sports college, Thomsen decided to join; the rest is history.
“It has been perfect for me, as I came as a rookie in the professional environment and got to train with some guys who really wanted to get something out of their career and had the ambitions. I always believed in myself, but I had to work hard to get where I am, and my teammates and coaches have always helped me to develop,” Thomsen says.
The first couple of years Thomsen did not play on the best youth teams in Aalborg, but as he made it to the U18's suddenly the career started going forward, not only in Aalborg but also on the youth national teams. So far, the talent has 21 caps on his CV and have played almost every match for the Danish U21 this season - at one point Aalborg had to ask the Danish U21 manager Jess Thorup to spare their talent as they needed him to have a break.
It is not only in AaB and the national team that Thomsen is popular; his great form have caused interest from both German Borussia Mönchengladbach as well as Dutch Heerenveen, but the Dane is not in a hurry to leave Aalborg.
“Even though we tell that we don’t have any focus on the interest from other clubs, sometimes you can’t help thinking about what the future brings. But, at the moment I haven’t had time to think about it because we are going through an exciting time.
“I hope we will play in the Champions League next year, so I am staying in AaB for at least a couple of years," the talent says.
And Champions League is on the table for AaB and the talent. A win tomorrow against FC Vestsjælland and if FC Midtjylland at the same time draws or lose against FC Copenhagen practically means that Aalborg are the league champions.
“It is fantastic that we have a chance of becoming the champions, and I think it is good for a young player to have this experience as it adds pressure. Before the season, we were expected to be a part of the relegation battle, but we surprised everyone. I believe it is healthy for a young player to play in such a big club and experience the pressure that follows.”
On top of that, the Danish Cup final awaits next week where the opponent is FC Copenhagen, which Aalborg lost against last time they were in the Cup final. In fact, AaB have made their way to the Cup final seven times, but only won it twice, latest in 1970. However, this is the year for the Cup trophy to return to Aalborg according to Thomsen.
“This is the year, and only a few of us have been in a cup final, so I don’t think it plays a role. I believe we all go into this match as it was any other match, and then I hope we are the winners after 90 minutes.”
With that in mind, Nicolaj Thomsen is preparing himself for, what could be, the best football week he has had in his career so far. Great Dane Football Blog wishes him luck on his way to becoming Champion and Cup winner - all in his first season.
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