Johan Absalonsen
Johan Absalonsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Johan Hindsgaul Absalonsen September 16, 1985 Flemløse, Denmark |
| Occupation | Professional footballer (retired) |
| Years active | 2003–2020 |
| Known for | Danish footballer, left winger, Denmark national team player |
Johan Hindsgaul Absalonsen (born 16 September 1985) is a retired Danish professional football player who operated primarily as a left winger. Throughout his career, he earned two appearances and netted one goal for the Denmark national squad.
B1913
Originating from Flemløse near Glamsbjerg, Absalonsen initiated his football journey with local teams before advancing to the youth setup at B 1913. He featured twice for B 1913's senior side prior to moving to the reserve squad of Danish champions Brøndby IF in 2003.
Brøndby
At 17 years old, Absalonsen signed with Brøndby IF on 3 January 2003, joining their talent development group and renewing his contract in January 2004. His senior debut came in February 2004 during a UEFA Cup fixture against Barcelona. He played a role in Brøndby's Double achievement in the 2004–05 season, securing both the Superliga title and the Danish Cup, contributing four goals across 14 league matches. Despite this, he found it challenging to maintain a consistent starting position and departed after accumulating 66 appearances by summer 2006.
OB
Subsequently, Absalonsen transferred to Superliga competitors Odense Boldklub (OB), where he quickly established himself as a first-team regular, appearing in 28 matches during his debut season. He was honored as Danish Cup Fighter when OB lifted the 2006–07 Danish Cup. On 13 March 2010, he marked his 100th Superliga appearance for OB.
Later career
In January 2011, Absalonsen signed with Copenhagen, featuring in three league games and securing a second Danish league championship in the 2010–11 campaign. Limited to six league outings without scoring during the initial half of the 2011–12 season, he was loaned out to AC Horsens until mid-2012. By August that year, he made a permanent move to SønderjyskE, where he became an integral squad member until departing in summer 2017.
Absalonsen ventured abroad for the first time in July 2017 by signing a one-year deal with Australian outfit Adelaide United. He returned home to Denmark in May 2018 due to family considerations, rejoining SønderjyskE. During the 2019–20 season, he played a pivotal role in the club’s triumph in the Danish Cup, scoring in their third-round win over Hvidovre IF on 25 September 2019. He exited SønderjyskE at the conclusion of 2020.
Retirement
On 29 January 2021, Absalonsen declared his retirement from professional football to embark on legal studies at the University of Southern Denmark.
International career
Absalonsen’s international journey began while at B 1913, making his debut for Denmark’s under-16 team in 2000. Over various youth categories, he accumulated a total of 43 caps until 2006, including ten appearances and one goal with the under-21 side. He took part in the 2002 European Under-17 Championship and was selected for the squad competing at the 2006 European Under-21 Championship, appearing as a substitute in Denmark’s final fixture.
In November 2009, then-national coach Morten Olsen summoned him to represent Denmark’s senior team for friendlies against South Korea and the United States. Absalonsen featured in both encounters and scored his inaugural senior international goal during Denmark’s 3–1 win over the United States.
Club
Brøndby
- Danish Superliga Champion: 2004–05
- Danish Cup Winner: 2004–05
OB
- Danish Cup Titleholder: 2006–07
Copenhagen
- Danish Superliga Winner: 2010–11
SønderjyskE
- Danish Cup Champion: 2019–20
Individual
- Danish Cup Best Player Award: 2007