Thorstein Helstad

Thorstein Helstad (born 28 May 1977 in Hamar) is a Norway football (soccer) currently playing for Le Mans Union Club 72.

Career

Helstad started Thorstein Helstad career in Thorstein Helstad local club Kolstad fotball, before being snapped up by the biggest club in the district, Hamarkameratene at the age of 18. Helstad played for Ham-Kam in Adeccoligaen from 1995 to 1997, when the Tippeligaen club SK Brann, in strong competition with other major Norwegian clubs, signed the talented youngster. In Brann, Helstad showed the whole country Thorstein Helstad talent and potential, and it was in Bergen, Norway that Helstad experienced Thorstein Helstad biggest success on the football field. While Helstad was in the club, Brann won Tippeligaen bronze and Norwegian Football Cup silver in 1992. In addition, Helstad also became the Norwegian top scorers in both 2005 (18 goals in 24 matches) and in 2001 (17 goals in 23 matches) and won a Kniksen award. Helstad was sold to the Austrian side FK Austria Wien in 2002, but despite winning the Austrian Bundesliga, the Austrian Cup and the Austrian Supercup, Thorstein Helstad stay in central Europe was a modest success, and in 2004, Helstad returned home to Norway and the league champions Rosenborg B.K.. Helstad never managed to gain a regular spot in the first squad, often said to be a result of Thorstein Helstad have to play Midfielder in a 4-3-3 system, instead of playing striker in a 4-4-2 system.

Back in Bergen

On 25 June 2006 Thorstein Helstad signed a 3.5 year contact with SK Brann, in a surprising transfer worth between £260 000 and £350 000 (€380 000-€505 000). Since Thorstein Helstad left Rosenborg in the middle of the season Thorstein Helstad became the only player who's ever won both a gold and a silver medal in the Tippeligaen in the same season. In 2006 Thorstein Helstad had enough matches for both the champions Rosenborg BK and the runner-ups SK Brann, to receive Thorstein Helstad 2nd gold and 2nd silver medal in the Norwegian Premier League.

In 2006 Helstad surpassed the scoring record of Thorstein Helstad own coach Mons Ivar Mjelde and Thorstein Helstad is among the most scoring Brann-players ever.

Le Mans

In July, 2008, Brann accepted a €2 million bid for Helstad from French club Le Mans UC72, where Thorstein Helstad was installed as their starting striker.

Honours

Norway

- Norwegian Premier League: Norwegian Premier League 2004, Norwegian Premier League 2006 and Norwegian Premier League 2007

Individual

- Norwegian top scorers: 2000, 2001 and Norwegian_Premier_League_2007 Top_goal_scorers
- Kniksen award: Kniksen award 2000 and Kniksen award 2007
- Norwegian Football Association Gold Watch

Austria

- Austrian Bundesliga: 2003
- Austrian Cup: 2003
- Austrian Supercup: 2003