Michael Jakobsen
Michael Jakobsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1986 Denmark |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2003– |
| Known for | Danish Under-17 Player of the Year (2002), Denmark national team appearances |
Michael Jakobsen (born 2 January 1986) is a Danish professional football defender currently representing FK Beograd in the National Premier Leagues South Australia. Honored as the Danish Under-17 Player of the Year in 2002, Jakobsen has also made five appearances for the Denmark national team.
B.93 and PSV
Jakobsen launched his senior football journey with Boldklubben af 1893 (B.93) competing in the Danish 1st Division. After a year, he was recruited by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven into their youth setup in 2003. His first-team experience at PSV was limited to a single 10-minute appearance.
Aalborg BK
In February 2005, Jakobsen returned to Denmark, signing with Aalborg BK for the remainder of the 2004–05 Danish Superliga season. Making his debut on 13 March 2005, he swiftly became a dependable defender known for his accurate passing, featuring in all of the final 15 league fixtures. Nine months later, he secured a contract extension through December 2009.
Throughout the 2006–07 Danish Superliga campaign, Jakobsen played in 32 out of 33 matches as AaB secured a third-place finish—their highest league standing in eight years. He recorded his first career two-goal match during a dominant 4–0 victory against Vejle Boldklub on 30 July 2006. The next season saw him play a key role in AaB's title-winning season, finishing nine points clear of FC Midtjylland.
Jakobsen's impressive displays in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League, which included scoring in a 2–2 draw versus Manchester United, drew attention from clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga. Nevertheless, he committed to AaB by extending his contract until June 2012 in December 2008.
UD Almería
In July 2010, Spanish La Liga team UD Almería announced Jakobsen's acquisition on a five-year contract. However, Aalborg BK's CEO Poul Sørensen clarified that the arrangement was initially a one-year loan with an option to buy. Jakobsen made his Almería debut on 29 August 2010 during a goalless draw against CA Osasuna. After limited early opportunities, he gradually became a more regular fixture in the lineup later that season. On 1 May 2011, he received a direct red card during a 1–1 draw with Sevilla FC.
Following Almería’s relegation to Segunda División at season’s end, the club exercised their purchase option to sign Jakobsen permanently. In the subsequent 2011–12 season, he increased his involvement and netted his first goal in Spanish football with a strike in a 2–0 victory over Real Murcia on 10 September 2011; however, Almería did not manage to achieve promotion back to La Liga.
FC Copenhagen
In August 2012, after passing medical examinations, Jakobsen transferred to Copenhagen, as confirmed by Almería. He made his debut on 25 August 2012, starting as centre back in a narrow 3–2 win against Randers.
Esbjerg fB
After a short loan spell at FC Nordsjælland during his tenure with Copenhagen, Jakobsen signed with Danish Superliga club Esbjerg fB in 2014. He amassed over fifty appearances before moving on loan to Norwegian outfit Lillestrøm SK early in 2016.
Melbourne City
In September 2016, Jakobsen joined A-League side Melbourne City under a designated visa player contract. He marked his debut by scoring an acrobatic bicycle kick goal during the quarter-final of the 2016 FFA Cup against Western Sydney Wanderers. Prior to the commencement of the 2017/18 season, he was named as the team's on-field captain.
Adelaide United
Jakobsen parted ways with Melbourne City on 14 May 2018 and subsequently secured a two-year deal with Adelaide United.
NorthEast United
On 8 September 2022, Jakobsen joined NorthEast United of the Indian Super League. He was appointed captain for the 2022–23 Indian Super League campaign. His first appearance came on 8 October 2022 during a contentious 1–0 loss against Bengaluru.
Adelaide Olympic
Ahead of the 2023 National Premier Leagues South Australia season, Jakobsen committed to Adelaide Olympic.
International career
During his time at B 93, Jakobsen represented Denmark at various youth levels and was honored as the Danish Under-17 Player of the Year in 2002. Up until October 2008, he accumulated 72 appearances for Danish youth squads and netted 10 goals.
While playing for PSV, Jakobsen was initially excluded from the Danish under-19 team in May 2004 but was reinstated following his transfer to AaB. He earned his first cap for the Danish under-21 side in June 2005 and participated in all three fixtures of the 2006 European Under-21 Championship before Denmark was eliminated.
Jakobsen earned his first senior cap for Denmark in March 2009.
Honours
Melbourne City
- FFA Cup: 2016
Adelaide United
- FFA Cup: 2018, 2019
Individual
- 2002 Danish Under-17 Player of the Year
- Danish Superliga championships: 2007–08, 2012–13