First Team

“The ball was his cuddly toy”

A closer look at Christian Eriksen.

It is no exaggeration to say that in Christian Eriksen, the Wolves have signed a bona fide superstar. The 33-year-old not only brings a wealth of experience and quality to Wolfsburg, but also a career full of unforgettable moments: 144 international caps, spells at several top European clubs, and an astonishing comeback that made him a global symbol of professionalism and strength. Eriksen, who speaks Danish, English and Dutch, is a remarkable character in many ways. 

New home

Until recently, the midfielder was part of a list of players without a club that included household names such as Mario Balotelli, Dele Alli and Juan Bernat. Now, however, he has found a new home in Wolfsburg, and in doing so becomes just the second official free agent to sign for VfL since the turn of the century, following Christian Maicon Hening in 2011. 

Not your average cuddly toy

Eriksen began playing football as a three-year-old in his back garden in his hometown of Middelfart. It was just a stone’s throw away from the premises of local club Middelfart Boldklub, where he would later train under the watchful eye of his father Thomas, who had played for the club decades earlier. “He used to sleep with a ball in his bed,” said Eriksen senior. “The ball was his cuddly toy until he was ten.”

VfL Spieler verteidigen den Ball auf dem Rasen vor dem Gegner.

New pitch

Eight years after leaving his hometown, Eriksen moved from Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of over €14 million. Approximately €350,000 of that went to Middelfart Boldklub, which they invested in a new football pitch.

Following in big footsteps

In 2009, Eriksen (born in 1992) came third in a national vote to crown ‘Denmark’s Young Player of the Year’, finishing behind Simon Kjaer (1989) and Nicklas Bendtner (1988). Who would have thought that all three would one day go on to play for VfL?

Danish dynamite

Eriksen becomes the sixth Danish player currently on the Wolves’ books, and the 17th overall to represent the Green-and-Whites. As such, Denmark move up to third in the list of foreign nationals to lace their boots for VfL, behind Poland (18) and Brazil (23). 

VfL Wolfsburg-Spieler Christian Eriksen singt mit der dänischen Nationalmannschaft und weiteren VfL-Spielern die Hymne vor einem Spiel.

Early promise

Eriksen scored his first professional goal at the age of 18 on 25 March 2010 in the Dutch KNVB Cup, netting in a 6-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles Deventer – the club his new VfL coach Paul Simonis would take charge of years later.

Spoiled for choice

Before joining Ajax, Eriksen had some of Europe’s top clubs lining up at his door, with Chelsea, Barcelona and AC Milan among those to invite him for a trial. However, the youngster made a conscious decision to move to the Dutch capital, eager not to take too big of a step too soon. 

Role model

Eriksen’s extraordinary understanding of the game sets him apart, alongside his precision passing and the ability to dictate the tempo of a match with remarkable composure. Held in high regard throughout the football world, he is seen as a symbol of professionalism, humility and consistency, whose performances speak for themselves.

Attention to detail

Eriksen is meticulous when it comes to training, recovery and nutrition, so it is perhaps no surprise that since 2014 he has been co-owner and ambassador of a Danish company specialising in functional drinks and nutrition.

Emotional comeback

The Denmark international has amassed 144 senior caps for his country, but one of them was particularly special. On 26 March 2022, fans at the Johan-Cruyff-Arena welcomed him with a standing ovation when he came on as a second-half substitute in a friendly between Denmark and the Netherlands, 287 days after suffering a cardiac arrest at the UEFA European Championship in 2021. He needed just two minutes to crown the occasion, finding the top corner with a stunning goal – teed up by Andreas Skov Olsen.

Recognition

His remarkable return to the highest level, which many observers had not expected, led to Eriksen being honoured with the prestigious Laureus Award in 2023 in the ‘Comeback of the Year’ category.

History maker

Eriksen wrote his name into the record books once again in Denmark’s opening game at UEFA EURO 2024, finding the net in a 1-1 draw against Slovenia to become his country’s oldest-ever scorer at a European Championship at the age of 32 years and 123 days.

Profile

  • Name: Christian Dannemann Eriksen
     
  • Born: 14 February 1992 in Middelfart, Denmark (33 years old)
     
  • Position: central midfield
     
  • Height: 1.82 metres
     
  • Foot: right
     
  • Squad number: 24
     
  • Previous professional clubs: Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter, Brentford, Manchester United