Martin Albrechtsen

Martin Albrechtsen (born on 31 March 1980 in Værløse, Denmark) is a Denmark professional football (soccer) player who currently plays for England club Derby County F.C.. He can play in any defending position; on either fullback or in the central defence. He has played four games for the Denmark national football team.

Career

Akademisk Boldklub (AB)

Albrechtsen started his career at Akademisk Boldklub. Alongside later Danish international Peter Løvenkrands, he was called up for the Danish under-19 national team in September 1997. In February 1998 they both signed their first professional contracts with AB, joining the senior squad which competed in the Danish Superliga championship. Albrechtsen was a part of the AB team which won the 1999 Danish Cup, and he was named 2000 Danish Football Association Young Players of the Year. He made his debut for the Denmark national football team under national team manager Morten Olsen in April 2001. As AB struggled financially, Albrechtsen was sold to defending Superliga champions F.C. Copenhagen (FCK) in a DKK 9 million transfer deal in January 2002.

F.C. Copenhagen

Albrechtsen signed a 4½-year contract with Copenhagen, looking to replace former team captain Jacob Laursen in the central defence. He helped FCK win the 2003 and 2004 Danish Superliga championships, as well as the 2004 Danish Cup trophy. His performances for the club led to two additional national team matches, but after an unimpressive effort during the 0-2 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team in April 2003, his national team career went on a hiatus.

West Bromwich Albion

In June 2004, he moved abroad to play for English club West Bromwich Albion F.C. in the FA Premier League. He was bought by W.B.A. in a £2.5 million transfer deal, making him the most expensive player the club had ever bought. He made his debut for the club on 28 August, 2004, coming on as a substitute in a Premiership match against Everton. Albrechtsen was a regular for Albion during 2004-05, helping them to avoid relegation on the final day of the season. He also figured prominently during the following season, and scored his first ever goal for the club in the 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium in January 2006. He stayed with the club as Albion were relegated to the secondary The Football League in the summer 2006, and he scored his second goal for the club against Leeds United in September 2006. After an absence of more than three years, he was recalled for the Danish national team in November 2006.

Despite being signed as a central-defender, Albrechtsen had, prior to the 2007-08 in English football, been utilised mainly as a full-back. In August 2007 however, Albion manager Tony Mowbray decided to move the Danish player back into the centre of defence. Albrechtsen made his 100th appearance for Albion in the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on 25 August 2007.

Derby County

After failing to agree terms with West Brom on a new deal, Albrechsten joined Derby County F.C. on a Bosman ruling, signing a three year contract with the club on 30 June 2008. In the process he become manager Paul Jewell's eighth signing of the season. Albrechtsen made his debut for Derby in a 1–0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers F.C. on the opening day of the 2008–09 season, and in September scored his first goal for the club, against Cardiff City F.C. and netted his second in the next match, a 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers F.C. Kevin Doyle. The following month he underwent a hernia operation and was predicted to be away from first team action for at least a month.

Honours

- Danish Football Association Young Players of the Year: 2000
- Danish Cup: 1999, 2004
- Danish Superliga: 2003, 2004
- Football League Championship: 2007–08

Trivia

- Albrechtsen's nicknames include Dolph and He-Man, due to his resemblance to the actor Dolph Lundgren (who portrayed He-Man in the movie Masters of the Universe (film)).

Personal life

Albrechtsen has two children, Justin and Cassandra. He had their names displayed on a specially designed pair of football boots, which he wore in a league match against Sheffield United in February 2008. The boots were a present from his girlfriend Camilla.