Viking has sold Lars-Jørgen Salvesen to Derby County, who have given him a two-and-a-half-year deal. The 28-year-old striker from Kristiansand follows in the footsteps of Lars Bohinen and Bjørn Otto Bragstad. He will (probably) become the third Norwegian to play a league game for the classic English club. – Incidentally, he will be the first southerner!. (The other two are from Vadsø and Trondheim)
One in and one in today in Viking. – Earlier today, the southern club confirmed they had signed goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson and now that they have sold Lars-Jørgen Salvesen. – Derby County followed up right after with an interview with Salvesen.
“It’s great for me to get this opportunity, and it’s a unique opportunity that I felt I couldn’t turn down. But I had a good lump in my stomach when I was going to say thank you, and it is with a heavy heart that I move on. This is the wardrobe I have enjoyed the most throughout my career. I’ve made friends for life,” Salvesen says to Viking’s pages.
Sports director Erik Nevland follows up with praise: “Lars-Jørgen has been a brilliant ambassador for Viking and delivered good performances since he came to the club. This was a very nice deal for all parties and we wish him all the best in England.”
Derby are in 18th place in the Championship with 27 points after 26 games. The team will face Watford at home on Saturday.
On Tuesday night, Derby were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient from level three.
Salvesen played 65 games for Viking, and he provided 29 goals and 10 assists in various competitions.
The hairy attacker has previously played for Start, Strømsgodset and Bodø/Glimt, among others.
Salvesen was bought to Viking from Bodø/Glimt in 2023 for 700,000 euros and scored 12 goals in the Eliteserien last season.
Derby are coached by Paul Warne and play their home games at Pride Park. The club has a proud history and became English league champions in 1972 and 1975. The team was last in the Premier League in 2008 and has since then been down to level three.
The goal is to get back in the Premier League, which they will not be able to do this season.
