Thomas Sørensen
Encyclopedia
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen (born 12 June 1976) is a Danish
professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City
. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland
and Aston Villa
.
He is the starting goalkeeper for the Denmark national football team
, the successor to the legendary Peter Schmeichel
, and he has played more than 90 matches for his country. He has no major honours to his name but did start for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
, UEFA Euro 2004, and 2010 FIFA World Cup
tournaments.
, Sørensen started playing youth football with local clubs in Erritsø and Assens
. He then moved to the youth team of local top-flight club Odense Boldklub. He played in training matches against FC St. Pauli
and Werder Bremen in February 1993, and signed a trainee contract with the club. He was soon a professional with Odense BK's first team squad in the Danish Superliga
championship. Sørensen served as an understudy to club legend goalkeeper Lars Høgh
, and did not play any league games for the club.
During the 1995–96 season, he was loaned out to league rivals Vejle BK
in December 1995. Initially an understudy to Erik Boye
, he made his Superliga debut in March 1996. Sørensen played three thoroughly impressive games in a row, and the press dubbed him the new Peter Schmeichel
. He played six league matches in all for Vejle, including a 0–6 defeat to Brøndby IF
, before being dropped by coach Ole Fritsen
following a 0–1 defeat to Viborg FF
, in which Viborg's Ralf Pedersen
headed the ball from Sørensen's hands to score the goal. Sørensen broke his arm in the summer 1996, but continued his loan deal with Vejle until the summer 1997, without playing any more games for the club. Odense then loaned him out again, this time to FC Svendborg
in the second-tier Danish 1st Division
league, where he played the full 1997–98 season.
in the Football League First Division
, the then second level league of English football
. Hardly anyone outside of Denmark had even heard of the tall and athletic keeper, when English manager Peter Reid
bought the 22-year old from Odense for about £510,000 in July 1998. Sørensen was bought to replace fan favourite Lionel Pérez
who left on a free transfer. This move helped Sunderland to promotion for the top flight English Premiership, when Sørensen and his team grabbed the League Championship title in 1999. Sørensen smashed the club's clean sheet record with 29 clean sheets in the process.
Sørensen established himself as Sunderland's starting goalkeeper in the Premiership, and helped the club finish 7th in both of their two first Premiership seasons. He gained legendary status with Sunderland fans in 2001, when he saved a penalty kick
from Alan Shearer
in the dying moments of a November 2000 game, to preserve a valuable win over arch rivals and neighbouring club Newcastle United
. In the 2002–03 season, Sørensen was injured from October 2002 to January 2003, and only played 21 of 38 games. Sunderland were struggling both on and off the pitch and Sørensen could not save the club from relegation at the end of the season.
Reid had already been sacked, and as a result of the club's mounting financial worries, Sunderland sold Sørensen for £2 million to Aston Villa
, who had held off interest from a handful of other clubs, including Manchester United
and Arsenal
. He played nearly 200 games on Wearside
for Sunderland and remains a fan favourite.
and Martin O'Neill
, ahead of the likes of Stefan Postma
and Stuart Taylor. In his first three seasons at Aston Villa, he only missed four games. In a November 2003 game against Newcastle, he once again saved an Alan Shearer penalty kick. He suffered a knee injury during the 2006–07 season, but still played 29 games that term.
During the 2007–08 season he fell out of favour at Villa. Sørensen had suffered an injury during the pre-season, and Villa decided to loan in goalkeeper Scott Carson
from Liverpool
. Carson went on to become the starting goalkeeper, and Sørensen stated that he wanted to leave the club in December 2007. In January 2008, Sørensen was linked with a £500,000 transfer to Derby County, but nothing came of this deal. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Sørensen's contract at Villa expired and he left the club on a free transfer. He failed to make a single appearance for the club in his final season as by then he had slipped down to third place in the pecking order behind both Scott Carson and Stuart Taylor.
club Ipswich Town
, but he rejected it as he wanted to play top-flight football. On 28 July 2008, Sørensen started a trial with newly promoted Premiership club Stoke City
, and two days later, he signed a three-year contract with the club. Sørensen became City's main goalkeeper for the 2008–09 season replacing Steve Simonsen
. He made a number of great performances as Stoke achieved a 12th place finish in the Premiership.
He continued to be Stoke's first choice 'keeper in 2009–10 and signed a contract extension in November 2009, to keep him at the Britannia Stadium
until 2011. During the 2009–10 season he continued his good form in goal. He saved penalties during games against Portsmouth
, Arsenal
and Wigan Athletic
, and played an important part in Stoke's good run in the Premier League, which brought them to 10th place in December. On December 12 Sørensen saved yet another penalty, meaning he had by then saved five out of the last six penalty kicks against him. Sørensen got extra competition for the spot as Stoke's first-choice goalkeeper, following the signing of Asmir Begović
from Portsmouth
in February 2010. He dislocated his elbow in a game against Chelsea
on 25 April. The elbow was put back in place without the need for surgery, but Sørensen missed the last three games of the 2009–10 season.
After starting the first nine matches of the 2010–11 season Sørensen lost his place to Begović. But he played in all the club's FA Cup games, including the FA Cup Final
against Manchester City on 14 May 2011 where he put in a good performance despite Stoke City losing 1–0. For the 2011–12 season Sørensen remains as 2nd choice 'keeper to Begović where he plays in the Cup matches as well as in the UEFA Europa League.
in April 1993, and was moved into the Danish under-21 national team
in September 1993, making his under-21 debut at 17 years of age. He went on to play 24 games for the Denmark under-21s until October 1997. Following his initial impressive form for Vejle, he was called up for an unofficial national team game in April 1996, and replaced Lars Høgh at half-time.
After his move to Sunderland, Sørensen made his debut for the senior Danish national team
in November 1999, coming on to replace an injured Peter Schmeichel
. He was a reserve keeper for Denmark at Euro 2000, when Peter Schmeichel was at the end of his career. For the 2002 FIFA World Cup
qualifying campaign in 2001, he took over the job as goalkeeper and helped Denmark qualify. Sørensen was then instrumental, as Denmark won their first round group ahead of Senegal
, Uruguay
and defending World Cup champions France
to book a second round clash against England
. However, in the pouring rain at the Niigata Stadium, Sørensen conceded three goals, one of them a mistake by Sørensen, as he bundled the ball into his own goal from a Rio Ferdinand
header in the fifth minute. England went on to win the match 3–0.
Once again representing his country in an international tournament, Sørensen played in all his country's games at Euro 2004, gathering the official man of the match
award after both the 0–0 draw with Italy
and the 2–0 victory against Bulgaria
. Despite his efforts, Denmark was once more eliminated in a 3–0 loss, this time to the Czech Republic
in the quarter finals.
During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Denmark faced Sweden at Råsunda Stadium
in Stockholm
. Sweden was awarded a penalty in the tenth minute, which Sørensen saved as Denmark went on to win the game 1–0. Sørensen missed three qualification matches through injury, yet Denmark still qualified for the 2010 World Cup
with one match to go. Sørensen's elbow injury put his chance of appearing in his second World Cup in doubt, but Denmark coach Morten Olsen
included him in the final squad, and on regaining full fitness Sørensen was named the starting goalkeeper for his second World Cup campaign, and played full time in Denmark's three games at the tournament.
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:
Stoke City
:
Individual
as his role model. He married Maria Borring in Svendborg, Denmark on June 17th 2001. Thomas and Maria have two children: Marcus and Celine.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
.
He is the starting goalkeeper for the Denmark national football team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, the successor to the legendary Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
, and he has played more than 90 matches for his country. He has no major honours to his name but did start for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, UEFA Euro 2004, and 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
tournaments.
Early career
Born in FredericiaFredericia
Fredericia is a town located in Fredericia municipality in the eastern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark, in a sub-region known locally as Trekanten, or The Triangle...
, Sørensen started playing youth football with local clubs in Erritsø and Assens
Assens
Assens may refer to:* Assens, Denmark** Assens Municipality* Assens, Switzerland* Rafael Cansinos-Asséns , a Spanish poet, essayist, literary critic...
. He then moved to the youth team of local top-flight club Odense Boldklub. He played in training matches against FC St. Pauli
FC St. Pauli
Fußball-Club St. Pauli is a German sports club based in the St. Pauli quarter of Hamburg. The football section is part of a larger club that also has Rugby Fußball-Club St. Pauli is a German sports club based in the St. Pauli quarter of Hamburg. The football section is part of a larger club that...
and Werder Bremen in February 1993, and signed a trainee contract with the club. He was soon a professional with Odense BK's first team squad in the Danish Superliga
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
championship. Sørensen served as an understudy to club legend goalkeeper Lars Høgh
Lars Høgh
Poul Lars Høgh Pedersen is a Danish former football player, who played his entire career as a goalkeeper for Odense BK. He won three Danish football championships and three Danish Cup trophies with OB, and won the Danish Best Goalkeeper of the Year award five times...
, and did not play any league games for the club.
During the 1995–96 season, he was loaned out to league rivals Vejle BK
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....
in December 1995. Initially an understudy to Erik Boye
Erik Boye
Erik Boye is a former Danish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.He started his career with FC Fredericia before transferring to Vejle in 1993. In the Danish Superliga 1996-97 he was ever present as his club finished in 2nd place and qualified for the 1997–98 UEFA Cup...
, he made his Superliga debut in March 1996. Sørensen played three thoroughly impressive games in a row, and the press dubbed him the new Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
. He played six league matches in all for Vejle, including a 0–6 defeat to Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
, before being dropped by coach Ole Fritsen
Ole Fritsen
-Playing career:Ole Fritsen began his footballing career in Vejle Boldklub in 1963. Fritsen was the first Vejle Boldklub player to move abroad and become a professional....
following a 0–1 defeat to Viborg FF
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
, in which Viborg's Ralf Pedersen
Ralf Pedersen
Ralf Pedersen is a Danish professional football defender, who currently plays for the Danish 1st Division side Viborg FF. He is the current vice- captain of his team. Although not the fastest defender he is very experienced. 1...
headed the ball from Sørensen's hands to score the goal. Sørensen broke his arm in the summer 1996, but continued his loan deal with Vejle until the summer 1997, without playing any more games for the club. Odense then loaned him out again, this time to FC Svendborg
FC Svendborg
FC Svendborg is a Danish football team currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division West. They are the professional division of Svendborg fB. They play at Høje Bøge Stadion in Svendborg, which has a capacity of 7,000.-Squad:...
in the second-tier Danish 1st Division
Danish 1st Division
The 1st Division has been the name of the second highest football league in Denmark since 1991. From 1945 to 1991 the 1st Division was the name of the highest level of football in Denmark...
league, where he played the full 1997–98 season.
Sunderland
In the summer 1998, Sørensen moved abroad to play for English club SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, the then second level league of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
. Hardly anyone outside of Denmark had even heard of the tall and athletic keeper, when English manager Peter Reid
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
bought the 22-year old from Odense for about £510,000 in July 1998. Sørensen was bought to replace fan favourite Lionel Pérez
Lionel Perez
Lionel Pérez is a retired French professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper and more recently was a goalkeeping coach at Stevenage Borough Football Club, following his retirement from the game in 2004....
who left on a free transfer. This move helped Sunderland to promotion for the top flight English Premiership, when Sørensen and his team grabbed the League Championship title in 1999. Sørensen smashed the club's clean sheet record with 29 clean sheets in the process.
Sørensen established himself as Sunderland's starting goalkeeper in the Premiership, and helped the club finish 7th in both of their two first Premiership seasons. He gained legendary status with Sunderland fans in 2001, when he saved a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
from Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
in the dying moments of a November 2000 game, to preserve a valuable win over arch rivals and neighbouring club Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. In the 2002–03 season, Sørensen was injured from October 2002 to January 2003, and only played 21 of 38 games. Sunderland were struggling both on and off the pitch and Sørensen could not save the club from relegation at the end of the season.
Reid had already been sacked, and as a result of the club's mounting financial worries, Sunderland sold Sørensen for £2 million to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, who had held off interest from a handful of other clubs, including Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He played nearly 200 games on Wearside
Wearside
Wearside is an area of north east England, centred on the continuous urban area formed by Sunderland, Seaham and other settlements by the River Wear. Mackems is a nickname used for the people of Wearside....
for Sunderland and remains a fan favourite.
Aston Villa
At Aston Villa, Sørensen developed his reputation as a good goalkeeper. Sørensen's ability as a shot stopper allowed him to retain his place as Villa's number one under both managers David O'LearyDavid O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
and Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
, ahead of the likes of Stefan Postma
Stefan Postma
Stefan Postma is a Dutch footballer who plays for AGOVV Apeldoorn as a goalkeeper.-Career:He started his professional career at FC Utrecht before moving to De Graafschap. He was signed by Aston Villa from De Graafschap on May 14, 2002 for 1.5 million pounds, upon Peter Schmeichel's transfer to...
and Stuart Taylor. In his first three seasons at Aston Villa, he only missed four games. In a November 2003 game against Newcastle, he once again saved an Alan Shearer penalty kick. He suffered a knee injury during the 2006–07 season, but still played 29 games that term.
During the 2007–08 season he fell out of favour at Villa. Sørensen had suffered an injury during the pre-season, and Villa decided to loan in goalkeeper Scott Carson
Scott Carson
Scott Paul Carson is an English footballer who plays for Bursaspor as a goalkeeper.He joined the Leeds United football academy in 2002, making his full first team debut for Leeds against Manchester United in February 2004...
from Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. Carson went on to become the starting goalkeeper, and Sørensen stated that he wanted to leave the club in December 2007. In January 2008, Sørensen was linked with a £500,000 transfer to Derby County, but nothing came of this deal. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Sørensen's contract at Villa expired and he left the club on a free transfer. He failed to make a single appearance for the club in his final season as by then he had slipped down to third place in the pecking order behind both Scott Carson and Stuart Taylor.
Stoke City
After leaving Aston Villa, Sørensen received a contract offer from ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, but he rejected it as he wanted to play top-flight football. On 28 July 2008, Sørensen started a trial with newly promoted Premiership club Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, and two days later, he signed a three-year contract with the club. Sørensen became City's main goalkeeper for the 2008–09 season replacing Steve Simonsen
Steve Simonsen
Steven Preben Arthur "Steve" Simonsen is an English footballer who plays for Sheffield United as a goalkeeper. Born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear he started his senior career at Tranmere Rovers before spells with Everton and Stoke City...
. He made a number of great performances as Stoke achieved a 12th place finish in the Premiership.
He continued to be Stoke's first choice 'keeper in 2009–10 and signed a contract extension in November 2009, to keep him at the Britannia Stadium
Britannia Stadium
The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank...
until 2011. During the 2009–10 season he continued his good form in goal. He saved penalties during games against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, and played an important part in Stoke's good run in the Premier League, which brought them to 10th place in December. On December 12 Sørensen saved yet another penalty, meaning he had by then saved five out of the last six penalty kicks against him. Sørensen got extra competition for the spot as Stoke's first-choice goalkeeper, following the signing of Asmir Begović
Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begović is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Stoke City and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team....
from Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in February 2010. He dislocated his elbow in a game against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 25 April. The elbow was put back in place without the need for surgery, but Sørensen missed the last three games of the 2009–10 season.
After starting the first nine matches of the 2010–11 season Sørensen lost his place to Begović. But he played in all the club's FA Cup games, including the FA Cup Final
2011 FA Cup Final
The 2011 FA Cup Final was the 130th final of the FA Cup, the world's oldest domestic football cup competition. The match took place on 14 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London. The clubs contesting the 2011 final were Premier League clubs Manchester City and Stoke City, with the victors guaranteed...
against Manchester City on 14 May 2011 where he put in a good performance despite Stoke City losing 1–0. For the 2011–12 season Sørensen remains as 2nd choice 'keeper to Begović where he plays in the Cup matches as well as in the UEFA Europa League.
International career
Sørensen made his international debut with the Danish under-19 national teamDenmark 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:...
in April 1993, and was moved into the Danish under-21 national 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 September 1993, making his under-21 debut at 17 years of age. He went on to play 24 games for the Denmark under-21s until October 1997. Following his initial impressive form for Vejle, he was called up for an unofficial national team game in April 1996, and replaced Lars Høgh at half-time.
After his move to Sunderland, Sørensen made his debut for the senior Danish national team
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
in November 1999, coming on to replace an injured Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
. He was a reserve keeper for Denmark at Euro 2000, when Peter Schmeichel was at the end of his career. For the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
qualifying campaign in 2001, he took over the job as goalkeeper and helped Denmark qualify. Sørensen was then instrumental, as Denmark won their first round group ahead of Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
, Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
and defending World Cup champions France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
to book a second round clash against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. However, in the pouring rain at the Niigata Stadium, Sørensen conceded three goals, one of them a mistake by Sørensen, as he bundled the ball into his own goal from a Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
header in the fifth minute. England went on to win the match 3–0.
Once again representing his country in an international tournament, Sørensen played in all his country's games at Euro 2004, gathering the official man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
award after both the 0–0 draw with Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
and the 2–0 victory against Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
. Despite his efforts, Denmark was once more eliminated in a 3–0 loss, this time to the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
in the quarter finals.
During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Denmark faced Sweden at Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Fotbollstadion, also Råsundastadion, Råsunda Stadium or just Råsunda, is a Swedish national football stadium. It is located in Solna Municipality in Metropolitan Stockholm and named after Råsunda, a zone of Solna.-History:...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. Sweden was awarded a penalty in the tenth minute, which Sørensen saved as Denmark went on to win the game 1–0. Sørensen missed three qualification matches through injury, yet Denmark still qualified for the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
with one match to go. Sørensen's elbow injury put his chance of appearing in his second World Cup in doubt, but Denmark coach Morten Olsen
Morten Olsen
Morten Per Olsen is a Danish football manager and former football player. He has been the head coach of the Danish national team since 2000, guiding Denmark to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, 2004 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup...
included him in the final squad, and on regaining full fitness Sørensen was named the starting goalkeeper for his second World Cup campaign, and played full time in Denmark's three games at the tournament.
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Odense BK | 1994–95 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| 1995–96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vejle Vejle Boldklub Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times.... (loan) |
1995–96 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | |
| 1996–97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Svendborg FC Svendborg FC Svendborg is a Danish football team currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division West. They are the professional division of Svendborg fB. They play at Høje Bøge Stadion in Svendborg, which has a capacity of 7,000.-Squad:... (loan) |
1997–98 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 | 0 | |
| Total | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
1998–99 | 45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | – | 56 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 1999–2000 Sunderland A.F.C. season The 1999-2000 season was Sunderland's second season in the Premier League, and their first season in the league since they were relegated in 1997.Sunderland made an impressive return to the top flight and quickly established themselves as real contenders for a European place... |
37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 Sunderland A.F.C. season During the 2000–01 English football season, Sunderland A.F.C. competed in the FA Premier League .-Season summary:Sunderland enjoyed another strong season, and briefly occupied second place in February... |
34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 42 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 Sunderland A.F.C. season During the 2001–02 English football season, Sunderland A.F.C. competed in the FA Premier League.-Season summary:A shortage of goals hindered Sunderland's progress after two successive seventh-placed finishes, and a season that many people had envisaged as a chase for Europe ended up being a battle... |
34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 Sunderland A.F.C. season During The 2002/2003 Seeason Sunderland competed in The F.A. Premier League.Season summary=While few had tipped Sunderland to do well this season, even fewer predicted just how disastrous it would turn out to be for the Mackems... |
21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 | 0 | ||
| Total | 171 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 197 | 0 | |
| Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
2003–04 2003–04 Aston Villa F.C. season During the 2003–04 English football season, Aston Villa F.C. competed in the FA Premier League.-Season summary:Manager Graham Taylor's unsuccessful second spell as manager had come to an end in June 2003, and chairman Doug Ellis recruited David O'Leary as Taylor's successor... |
38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | – | 45 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season The 2004–05 season in English football was Aston Villa F.C.'s 13th consecutive season in the FA Premier League, and their second season under the management of David O'Leary.-Season summary:... |
36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 Aston Villa F.C. season During the 2005–06 English football season, Aston Villa F.C. competed in the FA Premier League.-Season summary:After a disappointing campaign saw Villa narrowly avoid relegation with a 16th place finish, manager David O'Leary was sacked, to be replaced by Northern Irishman Martin... |
36 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 2006–07 Aston Villa F.C. season During the 2006–07 English football season, Aston Villa F.C. competed in the FA Premier League. It was Villa's first season under the management of Northern Irishman Martin O'Neill, who was appointed as manager following the sacking of David O'Leary at the end of the previous season.-Season... |
29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 31 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 139 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 158 | 0 | |
| Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
2008–09 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 36 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 33 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 38 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Stoke City F.C. season The 2010–11 season was the 148th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their third in the Premier League and 111th in the league system of English football. Their 11th place finish in the 2009–10 season means it is their third successive season in the Premier League... |
10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 2011–12 Stoke City F.C. season The 2011–12 season is the 149th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their fourth in the Premier League and 112th in the league system of English football. Their 13th place finish in the 2010–11 season means it is their fourth successive season in the Premier League... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 81 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 101 | 0 | |
| Career total | 442 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 507 | 0 | |
International
As of November 13, 2011|-
|1999||1||0
|-
|2000||1||0
|-
|2001||8||0
|-
|2002||11||0
|-
|2003||10||0
|-
|2004||12||0
|-
|2005||10||0
|-
|2006||6||0
|-
|2007||11||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||9||0
|-
|2010||6||0
|-
|2011||8||0
|-
!Total||99||0
|}
Honours
SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
:
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
: 1998–99
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
:
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
runner-up: 2010–112010–11 FA CupThe 2010–11 FA Cup was the 130th season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short...
Individual
- North East Football Writers' Player of the Year: 2001
Personal life
Sørensen grew up supporting Odense BK and cites Lars HøghLars Høgh
Poul Lars Høgh Pedersen is a Danish former football player, who played his entire career as a goalkeeper for Odense BK. He won three Danish football championships and three Danish Cup trophies with OB, and won the Danish Best Goalkeeper of the Year award five times...
as his role model. He married Maria Borring in Svendborg, Denmark on June 17th 2001. Thomas and Maria have two children: Marcus and Celine.