Håvard Nordtveit

Håvard Nordtveit (born 21 June 1990 in Vats) is a Norway football (soccer) defender (football) who plays for Arsenal FC and the Norway national football team. He has previously played for Vats 94, Skjold IL and F.K. Haugesund, the club where he made his professional debut. He made nine league appearances during the Adeccoligaen 2007 for Haugesund in the Norwegian Adeccoligaen. He is considered a bright prospect for the future; during December 2006, clubs such as Manchester United F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C., and FC Girondins de Bordeaux registered their interest in signing him.

Reports in the Norwegian press claimed that Arsenal F.C. manager Arsene Wenger went to Norway on 11 June 2007 to watch an Adeccoligaen match and begin negotiations to sign him; however, members of the FKH board stated that the club had rejected Arsenal's initial bid. The player himself said that his club was asking for a "supernaturally high" transfer fee. The price being quoted in the Norweigan media was 20 million Norwegian krone (approximately £1.5 million). A transfer fee was later finalized for £2 million between the two clubs, which was made official on July 3 2007. Haugesund captain Kevin Nicol stated that Nordtveit is regarded as the "best defender for his age in the world."

He made his Arsenal debut in their first pre-season friendly against Barnet F.C] on 14 July 2007. He came on after half-time, replacing Kerrea Gilbert. He was named captain of Arsenal's Arsenal F.C. Reserves for the first match of the Premier Reserve League 2007-08 FA Premier Reserve League season; in an interview with Arsenal.com, Nordtveit said he was "honoured" to have been named captain, and that he hoped to continue in that role in the future.