Biography
Who is Brede Hangeland?
Early life and beginnings
Brede Paulsen Hangeland was born in Houston, Norway, on June 20, 1981. His family lived in the United States for a short period before returning to his home country, where he grew up in Stavanger. He began his footballing path at the local club FK Vidar. He moved to Viking in 2001. In his first season with the club, he helped them secure a victory in the Norwegian Cup. He served as a central defensive midfielder during that final match against Bryne FK. He stayed with Viking for several years and became the team captain in 2005. By the time he departed, he had made 187 appearances for the side.
European club career
In January 2006, he signed with the Danish club F.C. Copenhagen. During his tenure there, he won two Danish Superliga titles and one Royal League trophy. He was known for his height and defensive dominance. In January 2008, he transferred to the English Premier League team Fulham. He debuted against Bolton Wanderers and quickly established a strong partnership with Aaron Hughes. He played in the 2010 UEFA Europa League final, which the team lost to Atlético Madrid. He signed a contract extension in 2013 but was released by the club in 2014.
Following his time at Fulham, he joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer. He scored on his competitive debut for Palace against Arsenal. He played for two seasons before his release in 2016.
International football achievements
Brede Hangeland played for the Norway national team between 2002 and 2014. He earned his first senior cap in a match against Austria. Over his international career, he made 91 appearances for his country and scored four goals. He served as the team captain starting in 2008. He also played 12 matches for the Norway under-21 squad. His first international goal occurred during a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying game versus Iceland. He announced his retirement from all professional football on August 5, 2016.
Personal life and awards
Brede Hangeland stands 199 cm tall. He married Celin Trana in 2009. Instead of traditional wedding gifts, the couple asked guests to donate to a Save the Children project to build a school in Cambodia. This initiative successfully raised approximately £45,000. Throughout his playing days, he received individual recognition for his performance on the pitch. He was awarded the Kniksen of the Year title in 2009 and again in 2012. He remains a noted figure in Norwegian football history for his defensive contributions at both the club and national levels.
Birthday and age
Brede Hangeland was born on June 20, 1981, which makes Brede 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Brede shares the date with 62 other famous people.
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