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Fullname: Ulrik Rosenløv Laursen
aka: Ulrik Laursen
Born: 28 Feb 1976
Birthplace: Odense, Denmark
Signed: 1 Aug 2002
Left: 1 July 2005
Position: Defender, left-back
Debut:
Internationals: Denmark
International Caps: 5
International Goals: 1

Biog

Dane Ulrik Laursen was brought to Celtic in the summer of 2002 in the hope that he could fill the problematic left-back berth.

Laursen -who could also play at centre-half - originally arrived in Scotland in 2000 from OB Odense when he moved to Hibernian on a free transfer. He was a solid performer for the Easter Road club and appeared to be athletic, strong and a neat footballer.

A Danish Under-21 international, Laursen’s performances for the Edinburgh side caught the eye of Martin O’Neill who splashed out £1.5 million to take the player to Parkhead. However, the full-back never really established himself as a regular starter and his appearances – including the UEFA Cup final of 2003 – with some from the bench.

Despite making a big name with Celtic as at Hibs (where he was a big favourite), Ulrik was dependable and a good squad player. Despite the failings in the defence in the UEFA Cup Final in 2003, he came out of it unscathed for many. He was liked and respected by a number of supporters who felt he deserved a greater run, and in most of his games he gave his best, and was a solid defender. He even won a man of the match award in a 1-0 victory over Rangers, so didn't hide in the major matches and proved his worth.

A series of niggling injuries didn’t help Laursen’s cause the following term (which led to prolonged periods on the treatment bench) but even when fit the player found himself on the bench while the right-footed Jackie McNamara was frequently preferred in the left-back slot. He didn't hide his frustration at not being played more either.

By the time of Gordon Stachan’s arrival in the summer of 2005 Laursen had made just 34 league starts. The new manager decided the Dane was surplus to requirements and allowed him to return to his native land in a £50,000 move to former club Odense.

Not all were happy with his departure. Celtic fanzine "NotTheView" believed that this whole hearted player should have been kept on, and possibly be kept on. In fairness, with a new manager coming in and the squad in a bit of a mess being handed over to him, a clear-out of old guard was needed (although some reports claim that Strachan wanted to keep him).

Since retiring from the game he has moved into physiotherapy.

Playing Career

Club	From	To	Fee	League		FA Cup		League cup		Other
FC Copenhagen	01/07/2008		Signed
OB Odense	01/07/2005	01/07/2008	Free	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0	2 (0)	0
Celtic	01/08/2002	01/07/2005	£1,500,000	34 (6)	0	5 (0)	0	3 (1)	0	7 (2)	0
Hibernian	06/06/2000	01/08/2002	Free	52 (1)	3	8 (0)	1	3 (0)	0	2 (0)	0
OB Odense	01/08/1998	06/06/2000		No appearance data available
Totals											0
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals

Honours with Celtic

Scottish Premier League

• 2003-04

Scottish Cup

• 2004, 2005

UEFA Cup

• Runners-up: 2002-2003

Pictures

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NotTheView

Apart from Jackie McNamara, Ulrik Laursen is a player who could possibly put up a case for being retained amidst the cull of fringe players going on just now. Given that we're so short of defensive cover it might have made sense to keep him - reduced wages or not - until at least the January transfer window. But it's not to be, and another of MON's £1.5 million signings heads off into the sunset, or in his case back to Denmark to play for Odense.

Signed from Hibs in August 2002, Laursen never looked unduly out of place in the Celtic defence, certainly not at SPL level. A brawny big lad of the type that O'Neill seemed to favour, he usually filled in at full back, although it would have been interesting to see what kind of contribution he would have made in the centre of the defence (something he had in common with Valgaeren).

He will be remembered most fondly for the part he played during the Seville season and, who knows, had it not been for a run of unfortunate and prolonged injuries he might well have had more than a bit part to play during his three years at Celtic Park.

Another wholehearted player who leaves with our best wishes for the future.