ULEVAAL (VG) Organ Haskejold-Nyland, 32, says a return to Molde had been on the table for a long time – but the chance to play for Sevilla was too good to turn down.
– It was a very good opportunity to say no. It’s a great club, they have great fans who have done well in Europe. “I regretted it for the rest of my life,” says Nyland about why his last club changed to the big club in Spain’s Andalusia.
Norway’s number one goalkeeper has mainly been relegated to the bench in recent years and has been without a contract following his stay at German club RB Leipzig last season.
Just before the close of the transfer window, he completed his move to the Spanish giants.
They had just sold their first goalkeeper (Yassin Bounou) to the Saudi League, and the sporting director was very keen on me being wanted at the club, says Niland.
The 32-year-old also reveals that a return to his old club Molde in the Premier League has been on the table for a long time, and that the two have held talks in recent years. However, it was clear that a move to Sevilla was too good an offer to refuse.
However, Marko Dmitrovic is expected to be the new first choice at Sevilla. For his part, Niland confirms that the club has a tradition of rotating in the goalkeeper position, and therefore he expects to play more time this season.
Just before the kick-off, news also broke that goalkeeper legend Sergio Ramos is all set to return to his boyhood club. Nyland looks forward to being “like a sponge” around Ramos now that they are teammates.
Assistant coach Bredie Hangeland, defender Christopher Agger and goalkeeper Nyland met the press ahead of the special international match against Jordan on September 7.
Boss Ståle Solbakken has previously indicated that many of the first picks will be given playing time in the sportingly unimportant game against Jordan, to either get back into form or keep up the tempo early in the season.
– Hangeland says whether (Erling Braut) Haaland will be decided after training today.
Just over 7,000 tickets were sold for Tuesday’s game, and there is more excitement attached to the all-important qualifier against Georgia next Tuesday. Norway must win it to keep its hopes of a direct place in the European Commission alive.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
