Netherlands' forward Javairo Dilrosun (L) vies for the ball with Norway's midfielder Fredrik Andre Bjorkan during the Under 21 Euro 2021 qualifying football match between the Netherlands and Norway at the Yanmar Stadium in Alemere on September 8, 2020. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t The Pink’Un), Norwich City are among a host of English clubs to be credited with an interest in Norwegian left-back Fredrik Andre Bjorkan.
The 22-year-old, who currently plies his trade with Bodo/Glimt in his homeland, has also attracted interest from Championship rivals Bournemouth. Premier League clubs Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United are also understood to be in the race to sign the highly-rated Norwegian starlet. (TEAMtalk h/t Pink’Un)
Andre Bjorkan rose through the youth ranks of hometown club Bodo/Glimt and made his first-team debut against lower-division outfit IF Floya in the Norwegian Football Cup aged just 17. The left-back shot to prominence during the 2016 top-flight season in Norway before establishing himself in a substantial role in the following campaigns.
The 22-year-old earned rave reviews for his performances in the 2020 Eliteserien, registering a goal and 4 assists in 29 appearances as Bodo/Glimt romped home to the domestic title. Bjorkan has made a total of 99 appearances for his boyhood club in all competitions so far, accumulating 6 goals and 10 assists in the process.
Bjorkan is yet to make his senior debut for Norway but has made several appearances for his nation at U-18 and U-21 levels.
Norwich City have enjoyed an impressive start to life back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season. The Canaries have emerged as the pace-setters in the second tier this term with 40 points accumulated from 19 games so far.
With 27 goals scored and 18 conceded, Daniel Farke doesn’t have too many pressing concerns heading into the winter market.
The Canaries, though, can certainly do with some additional cover in the left-back department. Xavi Quintilla started the season as the first-choice in that role following his loan move from Villarreal in the summer, with Norwich sanctioning an exit for Jamal Lewis.
The Spaniard did a good job before picking up an injury and hasn’t featured since a 2-1 home win over Wycombe Wanderers in October. With youngster Bali Mumba also out injured, Farke has been forced to shoehorn summer arrival Jacob Lungi Sorensen, essentially a midfielder by trade, at left-back.
The Danish youngster has done a really good job in an unfamiliar role, featuring as a left-back for the Canaries on 12 occasions in the Championship so far. However, his weaknesses as a right-footed player operating on the left have often been exploited by the opposition.
With the race for automatic promotion expected to heat up in the coming months, Norwich should definitely consider plugging that gap in the January window.
Norwich City beating off competition for Fredrik Andre Bjorkan would be a smart long-term investment. The Norwegian starlet has proven his worth as an attacking full-back in his homeland, amassing close to 100 appearances for Bodo/Glimt. The youngster’s status as a U-21 international further confirms his status as one of the best rising talents in Norway.
Norwich surely need some specialist long-term cover at left-back with Quintilla very much a temporary fix. They have an exciting prospect in the form of Sam MacCallum, who is currently out on loan at Coventry City.
While he is expected to be a part of Norwich’s plans moving forward alongside Mumba, roping in another promising youngster like Fredrik Andre Bjorkan would certainly represent an intelligent bit of business for the Canaries.
With the 22-year-old in the last 12 months of his contract at Bodo/Glimt, Norwich should fancy their chances of nabbing him for a decent fee in January.