“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 38 say he has earned the hearing.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Rosenborg that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Leopold Wahlstedt and Rosenborg agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Dávid Ďuriš will call it something else in private.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 2 appearances in 36 say he has earned the hearing.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 34 say he has earned the hearing.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Emil Ceïde has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Rosenborg know, and have known for weeks.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Rosenborg pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
Boardroom4 Oct 2027
Nobody left the Rosenborg dressing room in a hurry
The door stayed shut a long time after the final whistle. What was said in there is between them; whether it worked is between them and Saturday.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Simen Bolkan Nordli keeps the shirt for now, at Rosenborg's convenience rather than his own.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 30 say he has earned the hearing.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Rasmus Sandberg knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 2 appearances in 29 say he has earned the hearing.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
MarketThe window shut and Tomáš Nemčík is still in the building
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Leopold Wahlstedt knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 26 say he has earned the hearing.
The name of Johan Bakke has come up in conversations Rosenborg were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The fee is $2.5M, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Sarpsborg 08 drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 2 appearances in 25 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
A new face in his position, and Dino Islamović suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Rosenborg have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Everything was agreed until it was not, and Mikkel Ceïde reports back to Rosenborg with a summer to forget. Neither club is saying who walked away from the table.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Leopold Wahlstedt knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 22 say he has earned the hearing.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
The name of Jesper Reitan-Sunde has come up in conversations Rosenborg were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Rosenborg have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Emil Ceïde has let it be known that he does not like the way Rosenborg are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Rasmus Sandberg knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 18 say he has earned the hearing.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 21 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 14 say he has earned the hearing.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Aleksander Borgersen and Rosenborg agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 10 say he has earned the hearing.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 0 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Emil Ceïde has let it be known that he does not like the way Rosenborg are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
0-3 to Sandefjord, and it was every bit as bad as the number suggests. There are defeats you argue about and defeats you apologise for; this was the second kind.
The terraces12 Apr 2027
The ground has had enough
“We travel everywhere and we get this.” 6 of the 25 senior players heard it walking off, and the ones who did not hear it were not playing.
The shirt still fits. Marcus Bohinen is back at Rosenborg, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Martin Thorsby is back at Rosenborg, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Martin Berge is back at Rosenborg, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Jens Riise is back at Rosenborg, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The name of Sebastian Juliussen has come up in conversations Rosenborg were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
SquadHaakon Sørum asks for a word with the manager
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Jonas Svensson has come up in conversations Rosenborg were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Leopold Wahlstedt and Rosenborg agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
This is the season the town will measure the next twenty against. The trophy travels home with the squad, and the route through the streets was agreed days ago.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
The one award nobody else on the pitch can win goes to Leopold Wahlstedt, on 9 clean sheets across the season. Keepers wait a career for a season like it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new partner, a signature and a photograph nobody will remember. It funds a fortnight of wages, which is more than most headlines on this page can say for themselves.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
In brief
BoardroomWages eat 170% of everything Rosenborg earn
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 2 appearances in 10 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
SquadAmin Chiakha asks for a word with the manager
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Rosenborg have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
SquadMikkel Ceïde asks for a word with the manager
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Rosenborg, and 2 appearances in 6 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Simen Bolkan Nordli has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Rosenborg know, and have known for weeks.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Rosenborg they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Rosenborg can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Dávid Ďuriš has let it be known that he does not like the way Rosenborg are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
Everything was agreed until it was not, and Jonas Mortensen reports back to Rosenborg with a summer to forget. Neither club is saying who walked away from the table.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Rosenborg know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Every debut is a small story about the future: Håkon Volden, 19 years old, off the academy pitches and into the first team. The parents in the stand will keep the programme.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Rosenborg is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Rosenborg, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have ambitions, and I would like the club to share them.” Nobody has asked to leave and nobody has been shown the door — but a player chooses that sentence carefully, and a boardroom hears it exactly as it was meant.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Rosenborg has been clear about where Santeri Väänänen stands, which is more than many ever get.