Efb.dk

  • Name: Casper Nielsen
  • Age: 19 (29-04-1994)
  • Position: Central Midfield
  • Club: Esbjerg fB
  • International caps:
    • Denmark U20
      • 3 matches/ 0 goals
    • Denmark U17
      • 3 matches / 0 goals
    • Denmark U16
      • 5 matches / 1 goal
  • Value: £100.000

He his family's second generation to play on the best team in Esbjerg, and is sure he will get his breakthrough this season. This week we keep an eye on Casper Nielsen.

As the son of Henrik "Ismand" [Iceman - Henrik Nielsen was a part time player, and sold ice cream as his other job] Nielsen, Casper Nielsen was almost meant to play in Esbjerg. Since his start in Esbjerg as a young boy, Nielsen has played his way up through the youth system to become a part of the Superliga squad.

However, the midfielder who describes himself as a technical strong, pacey and smart player, have tried himself in another club. After being scouted at a gathering with the Danish youth national team, the talent was invited to Manchester City for a week's trial in 2009.

“It was a nice experience and very different from what I have tried at home [In Esbjerg]. It was a whole different training culture, but I took it as an experience and it gave me an insight in English football contra Danish," Nielsen says.

After the week's trial, Nielsen returned to Esbjerg and continued to develop in the youth department. After attending a few training sessions with Esbjerg's Superliga squad, Nielsen was given his debut in a Danish Cup match against Lyngby in 2012. From this summer,  he was promoted to become a full member of the squad and became a full-time professional. During his time in Esbjerg, the club has developed a 1. Division team to one of the top teams in the Superliga.

“It has gone really fast, from being in the Danish 1. Division to become a top team in the Superliga, and play in Europe. There is beginning to a more competitive environment on the team as the club can now afford to go out and buy players, which they could not before," Nielsen says.

Casper Nielsen has also experienced personal success as he has won a total of 11 international caps for three different Danish youth national teams. However, his main focus is on Esbjerg where he is determined to have a breakthrough this season. Asked how his chances for making it was the midfielder answered:

“My chances are good; I started when we played in Parken [Against FC Copenhagen] and got 90 minutes, and I did well. Our first priority was to close down their right side with Christian Bolaños and Lars Jacobsen. Bolaños was substituted, and Lars Jacobsen only had one cross in the match, so it was a success.”

At the moment, the talented midfielder is waiting for his next chance to shine, and he is sure it is only a matter of time before you can see him as a regular starter for Esbjerg.