Mikkel Andersen
Encyclopedia
Mikkel Andersen is a Danish football goalkeeper
. He currently plays for Reading
, and has played three games for the Denmark national under-21 football team
.
and became the youngest goalkeeper to play in Danish senior football. He joined Reading on a two-and-a-half year contract on 26 January 2007, having played seven times for AB.
on 26 February 2008, making his debut the same day in a 1–1 draw at home to Altrincham
.
He returned to Reading having played three times for Torquay during his one month on loan and looked set to remain with Reading for the remainder of the season. However, he joined Rushden & Diamonds
on a seven-day emergency loan on 15 April 2008, making his Rushden debut in a 2–1 win at home to Torquay. He also played in the defeats against Exeter City
and Oxford United
before returning to Reading.
In December 2008, he was again signed on an emergency loan, this time for Brentford
whose first-choice keeper Ben Hamer
, also borrowed from Reading, was suspended. He was named MOTM and Team of the week for his performance in this one game.
On the 6 March, 2009, it was revealed that Andersen had joined League One
side Brighton & Hove Albion
on loan for one month.
At the end of January, Andersen finally extended his loan spell until the end of the season, as Reading appointed caretaker boss Brian McDermott
on a permanent basis. On the 20th March, Andersen played against two other on-loan Reading players Scott Davies
and Alex McCarthy
. He kept a clean sheet from that game which ended 3–0 to Bristol Rovers. On 5 April, he saved a penalty from MK Dons
' Jermaine Easter
as Rovers won 1–0, keeping another clean sheet this penalty save was his first ever one.
By the time his loan spell in Bristol had finished, Andersen had played 39 League games for The Pirates. He was awarded the League One side's Young Player of the Year trophy, and was also ranked third in the overall Player of the Year poll.
On 2 August 2010, Bristol Rovers re-signed him as they cancelled the loan of West Brom goalkeeper Luke Daniels
because of a back injury.
Andersen finished his loan spell with Bristol Rovers on 5 January 2011.
and under-20 teams during 2007. He made his debut for the Denmark national under-21 football team
in February 2009, replacing Jonas Lössl
at half-time. While on loan at Bristol Rovers, Andersen re-entered the Under-21s for an October 2009 friendly against Georgia
, but served as back-up for Lössl. He replaced Lössl for the Under-21 games in November 2009 and March 2010, having played a total three Under-21 national team games. In May 2010, he joined the under-21 team for a series of unofficial games at the international 2010 Toulon Tournament
. He made four appearances as Denmark finished runners-up, and was named goalkeeper of the tournament.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. He currently plays for Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, and has played three games for the Denmark national under-21 football team
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
.
Denmark
Andersen began his career with Danish club AB CopenhagenAkademisk Boldklub
Akademisk Boldklub or AB is a Danish professional football club from Copenhagen,currently playing at the second highest level in Danish domestic football, the 1st Division.-History:...
and became the youngest goalkeeper to play in Danish senior football. He joined Reading on a two-and-a-half year contract on 26 January 2007, having played seven times for AB.
Reading
Andersen signed a loan deal with Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on 26 February 2008, making his debut the same day in a 1–1 draw at home to Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
He returned to Reading having played three times for Torquay during his one month on loan and looked set to remain with Reading for the remainder of the season. However, he joined Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
on a seven-day emergency loan on 15 April 2008, making his Rushden debut in a 2–1 win at home to Torquay. He also played in the defeats against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
and Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
before returning to Reading.
In December 2008, he was again signed on an emergency loan, this time for Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
whose first-choice keeper Ben Hamer
Ben Hamer
Benjamin John "Ben" Hamer is an English footballer who plays for Charlton as a goalkeeper.-Career:Hamer was born in Taunton, Somerset. His family moved to Germany at the age of 2 and, consequently, he is a fluent German speaker. However, when he was 8, his family came back to England...
, also borrowed from Reading, was suspended. He was named MOTM and Team of the week for his performance in this one game.
On the 6 March, 2009, it was revealed that Andersen had joined League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on loan for one month.
Bristol Rovers (loan)
On September 1, 2009, deadline day, Andersen was signed on loan by Bristol Rovers until January 1. He made his debut against Millwall which Bristol Rovers won 2–0, keeping a clean sheet, and went on to play in all eighteen of The Pirates league games during his initial four month spell. Shortly before the deal expired, it was extended for a further four weeks, Rovers wanting to keep him until the end of the season, but managerless Reading wanted to appoint a new boss before committing him to a longer term move.At the end of January, Andersen finally extended his loan spell until the end of the season, as Reading appointed caretaker boss Brian McDermott
Brian McDermott (footballer)
Brian James McDermott is an English football manager and former player.He joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1977 and went on to play for Fulham, IFK Norrköping, Oxford United, Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Exeter City and Yeovil Town in a 14-year playing career during the 1980s and 1990s...
on a permanent basis. On the 20th March, Andersen played against two other on-loan Reading players Scott Davies
Scott Davies
Scott Davies may refer to:*Scott Davies , English footballer playing for Fleetwood Town*Scott Davies , Irish footballer playing for Crawley Town-See also:*Scott Davie, sports commentator...
and Alex McCarthy
Alex McCarthy
Alex Simon McCarthy is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United as a goalkeeper on loan from Reading.-Club career:...
. He kept a clean sheet from that game which ended 3–0 to Bristol Rovers. On 5 April, he saved a penalty from MK Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
' Jermaine Easter
Jermaine Easter
Jermaine Maurice Easter is a Welsh international footballer currently playing as a striker for Crystal Palace.-Early career:...
as Rovers won 1–0, keeping another clean sheet this penalty save was his first ever one.
By the time his loan spell in Bristol had finished, Andersen had played 39 League games for The Pirates. He was awarded the League One side's Young Player of the Year trophy, and was also ranked third in the overall Player of the Year poll.
On 2 August 2010, Bristol Rovers re-signed him as they cancelled the loan of West Brom goalkeeper Luke Daniels
Luke Daniels
Luke Matthew Daniels is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Southend United on loan from West Bromwich Albion.-Career:...
because of a back injury.
Andersen finished his loan spell with Bristol Rovers on 5 January 2011.
International career
After signing for Reading, Andersen played three games for the Danish national under-19Denmark national under-19 football team
The Denmark national under-19 football team was founded in 1950 as a under-18 team. In 2001, it was changed to a under-19 team.-Competitive record:...
and under-20 teams during 2007. He made his debut for the Denmark national under-21 football team
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
in February 2009, replacing Jonas Lössl
Jonas Lössl
Jonas Lössl is a Danish professional association football player in the goalkeeper position, who plays for FC Midtjylland. He made his Danish Superliga debut in March 2010. He has played 14 games for various Danish national youth teams, including seven games for the Denmark under-21 national...
at half-time. While on loan at Bristol Rovers, Andersen re-entered the Under-21s for an October 2009 friendly against Georgia
Georgia national football team
The Georgia national football team is the national association football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. The Georgian team's first match took place in 1990, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. The team have attempted to qualify for each major...
, but served as back-up for Lössl. He replaced Lössl for the Under-21 games in November 2009 and March 2010, having played a total three Under-21 national team games. In May 2010, he joined the under-21 team for a series of unofficial games at the international 2010 Toulon Tournament
2010 Toulon Tournament
The 2010 Toulon Tournament was the 38th edition of the Toulon Tournament and began on 18 May and ended on 27 May 2010. Chile were the defending champions.-Venues:The matches were played in these communes:*Aubagne*Hyères*La Seyne*Le Lavandou*Nice*Toulon...
. He made four appearances as Denmark finished runners-up, and was named goalkeeper of the tournament.
External links
- Denmark national team profile
- Mikkel Andersen profile at readingfc.co.uk