Niklas Gunnarsson

Niklas Gunnarsson
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-04-27) 27 April 1991
Place of birth Tønsberg, Norway
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 Djurgårdens IF
Number 5
Youth career
Pors
Walsall
Odd
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Odd 48 (3)
2014–2016 Vålerenga 41 (4)
2015 → Elfsborg (loan) 11 (1)
2016 → Hibernian (loan) 15 (2)
2016– Djurgårdens IF 13 (2)
National team
2013 Norway U23 4 (0)
2016– Norway 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 November 2016.


Niklas Gunnarsson (born 27 April 1991) is a Norwegian footballer, who plays as a defender for the Allsvenskan side Djurgårdens IF. Gunnarsson has previously played for Odd, Swedish club Elfsborg, Scottish club Hibernian and Norwegian club Vålerenga.

He is the son of former football manager Ronny Geson Gunnarsson.[1] He is known for his trademark long throw-ins, good crossing ability and offensive play.

Career

Gunnarsson made his senior debut on 25 March 2012 against Sogndal, they lost the game 0–4.[2]

His contract with Odd expired after the 2013 season, and in October 2013 he signed a three-year contract with Vålerenga and joined the club in January 2014.[3]

Gunnarsson was Vålerengas first choiche right back during the 2014 season, starting 29 out of 30 matches in the Norwegian Premier League.[4] Gunnarsson fell out of the team in the following season, after coach Kjetil Rekdal made several changes after a poor display from the team in the Norwegian Football Cup.[5] Gunnarsson later left for Swedish side IF Elfsborg on a loan, a move that left several of Vålerengas fans dismayed after his several good performances in the previous season.[6]

In Sweden Gunnarsson played 11 matches in the Allsvenskan, scoring one goal and assisting another.

"Niklas is an extremely professional player both on and off the pitch and he has done a great job for Elfsborg in his time here. He has been held in high esteem by his team mates and I would like to give him the best recommendations and wish him the best of luck in the future"' – Elfsborg head coach Magnus Haglund speaking about Gunnarsson leaving the club.[7]

On 5 January 2016, he joined Scottish Championship side Hibernian on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[8] He made his debut on 9 January in a Scottish Cup fourth round 2–0 win against Raith Rovers.[9] His first goal for the club was the third goal in a 3–2 win against Rangers on 20 April.[10] Gunnarsson also recorded a goal against Queen of the South on May 1.[11] He appeared as a substitute when Hibs won the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.[12]

On 9 August 2016, he joined Allsvenskan side Djurgårdens IF on a two-and-a-half year deal. He was given number 28.[13] Ahead of 2017 Gunnarsson had his shirt number changed from 28 to 5.

International career

Gunnarsson received his first international call-up from the Norwegian national football team for friendlies against Portugal and Belgium in May 2016, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute against Portugal.[14][15]

Career statistics

As of 19:53, 23 May 2016 (UTC)
Club Season Division League Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Odd 2012 Tippeligaen 22140261
2013 26240302
Vålerenga 2014 29220312
2015 12210132
Elfsborg 2015 Allsvenskan 11100111
Hibernian 2015–16 Scottish Championship 15250152
Djurgårdens IF 2016 Allsvenskan 13200132
Career Total 1231216013912

Honours

Player

Hibernian

References

  1. ↑ Enger, Erik (12 August 2012). "Som far så sønn". Porsgrunns Dagblad. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Niklas Gunnarsson". altomfotball.no (in Norwegian). TV 2. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Berge, Grete Ingebjørg; Ekeli, Fredrik Laland; Hansen, Lars (8 October 2013). "– Veldig skuffet over Niklas' avgjørelse". NRK (in Norwegian). Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Altomfotball". Altomfotball.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Flygind, Kjetil (7 May 2015). "Viser total mangel på riktige holdninger". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Niklas Gunnarsson til Elfsborg". VPN. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "Niklas Gunnarsson lämnar Elfsborg" (in Swedish). 24 November 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  8. ↑ "GUNNARSSON SIGNS FOR HIBERNIAN". Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Raith Rovers 0-2 Hibernian". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  10. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35684231
  11. ↑ Mullen, Scott (1 May 2016). "Hibs 2 Queen of the South 0: It's the hope that kills as road to redemption gets longer for Easter Road club". The Herald Scotland. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Scottish Cup final: Rangers 2-3 Hibernian - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Niklas Gunnarsson klar för DIF" (in Swedish). 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  14. ↑ Marshall, Alan (2016-05-24). "Hibs Scottish Cup hero Niklas Gunnarsson earns Norway call-up for Portugal clash". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  15. ↑ SANDBERG, FREDRIK ØKSTAD (30 May 2016). "Reagerer på Portugals skitne triks: - Det undergraver fotballen". Dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Dagbladet. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
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