Morten Thorsby

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Morten Thorsby

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Oslo, Norway[http://www.stabak.no/player-profiles/playerID/270648 Stabæk Fotball profile]

| height = 1.88 m{{cite web |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/football/firstteam/squad/detail/Morten-Thorsby-21184n/2022-23-67e/ |title=Morten Thorsby |publisher=1. FC Union Berlin |access-date=21 February 2023}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| currentclub = Genoa

| clubnumber = 2

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2009

| youthclubs1 = Heming

| youthyears2 = 2010–2011

| youthclubs2 = Lyn

| youthyears3 = 2012–2013

| youthclubs3 = Stabæk

| years1 = 2013–2014

| clubs1 = Stabæk

| caps1 = 14

| goals1 = 1

| years2 = 2014–2019

| clubs2 = SC Heerenveen

| caps2 = 115

| goals2 = 12

| years3 = 2019–2022

| clubs3 = Sampdoria

| caps3 = 92

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 2022–2024

| clubs4 = Union Berlin

| caps4 = 24

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2023–2024

| clubs5 = → Genoa (loan)

| caps5 = 24

| goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2024–

| clubs6 = Genoa

| caps6 = 23

| goals6 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2012

| nationalteam1 = Norway U16

| nationalcaps1 = 14

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2013

| nationalteam2 = Norway U17

| nationalcaps2 = 13

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| nationalyears3 = 2014

| nationalteam3 = Norway U18

| nationalcaps3 = 6

| nationalgoals3 = 2

| nationalyears4 = 2014–2015

| nationalteam4 = Norway U19

| nationalcaps4 = 4

| nationalgoals4 = 1

| nationalyears5 = 2014–2018

| nationalteam5 = Norway U21

| nationalcaps5 = 28

| nationalgoals5 = 7

| nationalyears6 = 2017–

| nationalteam6 = Norway

| nationalcaps6 = 24

| nationalgoals6 = 0

| club-update = 9 February 2025

| nationalteam-update = 17 November 2024

}}

Morten Thorsby (born 5 May 1996) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for {{Italian football updater|Genoa}} club Genoa and the Norway national team.

Club career

=Stabæk=

Thorsby started his youth career in IL Heming but joined FK Lyn in 2009.{{cite news|title=Solskjærs mann|work=Aftenposten Aften|date=9 June 2010|page=12|author=Mellingsæter, Hanne|language=Norwegian}} While playing in Lyn he was drafted into the boys-15 national team.{{cite news|title=Uttak talentleir fotball|date=30 May 2011|agency=Norwegian News Agency|language=Norwegian}} In 2012, he joined the youth ranks of Stabæk.{{cite news|title=G16-uttak fotball|date=23 March 2012|agency=Norwegian News Agency|language=Norwegian}}

He made his first team debut in the 2013 1. Divisjon, as a substitute in four matches. Stabæk was promoted, and he made his first-tier debut in April 2014 against Molde.

=SC Heerenveen=

On 2 June 2014, Thorsby signed a five-year contract with Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen.{{cite news|title=Heerenveen haalt met Thorsby voetbalintelligentie in huis|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/heerenveen-haalt-met-thorsby-voetbalintelligentie-in-huis|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Voetbal International|date=20 June 2014|language=Dutch}}{{cite news|last1=Hellerud|first1=Lars Peter Karset|title=Thorsby klar for Heerenveen|url=https://www.budstikka.no/sport/sport/thorsby-klar-for-heerenveen/s/2-2.310-1.8481983|accessdate=26 August 2017|work=Budstikka|date=20 June 2014|language=Norwegian}}

=Sampdoria=

On 11 January 2019, Thorsby signed a four-year pre-contract with Serie A side Sampdoria. The contract will run through the 2023 season. He joined the club on 1 July 2019.{{cite web |title=Morten Thorsby set to join Sampdoria next season |url=https://www.sampdoria.it/en/morten-thorsby-set-to-join-sampdoria-next-season/ |website=U.C. Sampdoria |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=11 January 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Baardsen |first1=Joachim |title=Thorsby klar for Sampdoria – mangedobler lønnen sin |url=https://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/i/qnokm1/thorsby-klar-for-sampdoria-mangedobler-loennen-sin |accessdate=7 August 2019 |work=VG Nett |publisher=Verdens Gang |date=11 January 2019 |language=Norwegian}} He made his debut on 4 November in the 1–0 away win against SPAL, in which he played the full match.{{cite news |title=Spal-Sampdoria, finisce 0-1. Decide Caprari al 91'. I tweet dallo stadio. La cronaca del match |url=https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/sport/2019/11/04/news/spal-sampdoria-0-0-i-tweet-dallo-stadio-la-diretta-del-match-1.37833307 |work=Il Secolo XIX |date=4 November 2019 |language=it-IT}} After that game he slowly rose in the team's hierarchy,{{cite news |title=Thorsby è una boccata d'ossigeno: Porto in Liguria la battaglia per il clima |url=https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/sport/2019/11/29/news/thorsby-e-una-boccata-d-ossigeno-lt-porto-in-liguria-la-battaglia-per-il-clima-gt-1.38031772 |work=Il Secolo XIX |date=29 November 2019 |language=it-IT}} becoming a starter in midfield alongside Albin Ekdal.{{cite news |title=Il 2020 di Morten Thorsby alla Sampdoria |url=https://www.sampnews24.com/il-2020-di-morten-thorsby-alla-sampdoria/ |work=Samp News 24 |date=27 December 2020 |language=it-IT}} On 21 June 2020, he scored his first goal for Sampdoria scoring the 2–1 consolation goal in the away defeat to Inter Milan.{{cite web |title=Sconfitti con onore: Thorsby e il cuore non bastano, il recupero va all'Inter |url=https://www.sampdoria.it/news/2020/06/21/sconfitti-con-onore-thorsby-e-il-cuore-non-bastano-il-recupero-va-allinter/ |website=U.C. Sampdoria |language=it-IT |date=21 June 2020}}{{cite web |title=La prima volta di Thorsby: Contento solo per il gol |url=https://www.sampdoria.it/news/2020/06/22/thorsby-e-la-sua-prima-rete-contento-per-il-gol-ma-serve-piu-energia-e-meno-paura/ |website=U.C. Sampdoria |language=it-IT |date=21 June 2020}}

The following year, he was confirmed as a starter alongside Ekdal, and he scored 3 goals in 35 total appearances.

The day before the start of the 2021–22 season, Thorsby decided to change his jersey number from 18 to 2 to raise awareness about the Paris Agreement – the number 2 signifying the first aim of the agreement to hold "the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C".{{cite web |title=Thorsby: Segno per l'ambiente. Coi tifosi è un altro mondo |url=https://www.sampdoria.it/news/team/2021/08/16/thorsby-segno-per-lambiente-coi-tifosi-e-un-altro-mondo/ |website=U.C. Sampdoria |language=it-IT |date=16 August 2021}}{{cite web|title=Paris Agreement|url=https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-d&chapter=27&clang=_en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705141043/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-d&chapter=27&clang=_en|archive-date=5 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021|publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection}}

=Union Berlin=

On 19 July 2022, German club Union Berlin announced Thorsby's signing.{{cite web|publisher=Union Berlin|url=https://www.facebook.com/1.FCUnionBerlin/posts/pfbid02SKy2UcgzmoLB5LFRgy5szbi4AUEhJSMQnDKgMYuzmvLUfk4rMnTjjiFVcqm2Z5v8l|title=Keine Zeit zu verlieren: Ab zum ersten Training mit dir, Morten.|date=19 July 2022|access-date=19 July 2022|language=de}}

= Genoa =

On 1 August 2023, Union Berlin sent Thorsby on a season-long loan to Serie A side Genoa, with a conditional obligation to buy at the end of that period.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-08-01 |title=Morten Thorsby è un giocatore del Grifo |trans-title=Morten Thorsby is a Grifo player |url=https://genoacfc.it/2023/08/01/morten-thorsby-e-un-giocatore-del-genoa/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Genoa Cricket and Football Club - Official Website |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |date=1 August 2023 |title=Morten Thorsby loaned to CFC Genoa |url=https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/professional/Morten-Thorsby-loaned-to-CFC-Genoa-1392U/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.fc-union-berlin.de |language=en}}

Personal life

Thorsby is known for his commitment to environmentalism and is an advocate for stronger actions on climate change. He established the We Play Green foundation to encourage the football community to adopt environmentally friendly initiatives, and has met with municipal and national leaders in Italy while at Sampdoria in support of improved climate policy.{{cite web |title=Morten Thorsby Brings Climate Activism from Norwegian to Italian Football |url=https://greensportsblog.com/morten-thorsby-sampdoria/ |website=GreenSportsBlog |access-date=13 August 2021 |date=6 August 2020}}{{Cite tweet |last=Thorsby |first=Morten |user= mortenthorsby |number=1291358024033083393 |date=6 August 2020 |title=Meeting with the environmental minister of Italy @SergioCosta_min in Rome yesterday. Speaking about football and environment, and how football can contribute with education, engagement and concrete action. |access-date=13 August 2021}} In August 2021, he switched his shirt number to 2 to raise awareness of climate change. The digit represents the target of the internationally-adopted Paris Agreement of keeping global warming "well below" 2 °C above pre-industrial times, in order to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.{{cite news |title=Sampdoria's Morten Thorsby changes shirt number to raise climate awareness |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58193377 |access-date=13 August 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2021}} He was named 'Young Athlete of The Year' at The BBC Green Sport Awards 2022.{{cite news |title=Morten Thorsby: Norwegian footballer named BBC Green Sport Young Athlete of the Year |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63065354 |access-date=4 October 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2022}}

Career statistics

=Club=

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total !rowspan="2"\|{{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference}}
rowspan="3"\|Stabæk \|2013 \|1. divisjon \|4	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	4	0 \|{{cite web \|title=NIFS - Norsk & Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk \|url=https://www.nifs.no/personprofil.php?person_id=99131 \|website=Norsk & Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk \|accessdate=7 August 2019 \|language=Norwegian}}
2014 \|Tippeligaen \|10	1	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	12	2 \|
colspan="2"\|Total !14	1	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	16	2 !—
rowspan="6"\|Heerenveen \|2014–15 \|Eredivisie \|16	0	1	1	colspan="2"\|—	1	0	18	1 \|{{cite web\|title=Morten Thorsby » Club matches\|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/morten-thorsby/2/\|website=worldfootball.net\|accessdate=26 August 2017}}
2015–16 \|Eredivisie \|25	1	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	27	1 \|
2016–17 \|Eredivisie \|23	0	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	28	0 \|
2017–18 \|Eredivisie \|31	6	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	35	6 \|
2018–19 \|Eredivisie \|20	5	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	22	5 \|
colspan="2"\|Total !115	12	10	1	colspan="2"\|—	5	0	130	13 !—
rowspan="4"\|Sampdoria \|2019–20 \|Serie A \|24	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	25	1 \|
2020–21 \|Serie A \|33	3	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	35	3 \|
2021–22 \|Serie A \|35	3	3	1	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	38	4 \|
colspan="2"\|Total !92	7	6	1	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	98	8 !–
Union Berlin \|2022–23 \|Bundesliga \|24	1	2	0	8{{Efn\|Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League}}	0	0	0	34	1 \|
Genoa (loan) \|2023–24 \|Serie A \|24	2	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	27	2 \|
rowspan="2"\|Genoa \|2024–25 \|Serie A \|23	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	25	0 \|
colspan="2"\|Total !47	2	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	52	2
colspan="3"\|Career total !192	23	25	3	8	0	5	0	328	26 !–

=International=

colspan="2"\|Total	24	0
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
rowspan="8"\|Norway \|2017	1	0
2018	0	0
2019	0	0
2020	2	0
2021	9	0
2022	5	0
2023	0	0
2024	7	0