Oliver Abildgaard
{{short description|Danish footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Oliver Abildgaard
| image = Oliver Abildgaard 2020.jpg
| upright = 0.75
| caption = Abildgaard with Rubin Kazan in 2020
| fullname = Oliver Abildgaard Nielsen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|6|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Hasseris, Denmark
| height = 1.93 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Pisa (on loan from Como)
| clubnumber = 28
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2006
| youthclubs1 = Aalborg Freja
| youthyears2 = 2006–2015
| youthclubs2 = AaB
| years1 = 2015–2020
| clubs1 = AaB
| caps1 = 79
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2020
| clubs2 = → Rubin Kazan (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2020–2023
| clubs3 = Rubin Kazan
| caps3 = 54
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2022–2023
| clubs4 = → Celtic (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = → Hellas Verona (loan)
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2023–
| clubs6 = Como
| caps6 = 29
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2024–
| clubs7 = → Pisa (loan)
| caps7 = 24
| goals7 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = Denmark U20
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2016–2019
| nationalteam2 = Denmark U21
| nationalcaps2 = 12
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2020
| nationalteam3 = Denmark
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 17 May 2025
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Oliver Abildgaard Nielsen (born 10 June 1996) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for {{Italian football updater|Pisa}} club Pisa, on loan from Como.
Club career
=AaB=
Abildgaard began his football career with Aalborg Freja before joining the youth academy of AaB at the age of ten.{{cite web |title=Abildgaard i AaB til 2022 |url=https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2018/juni/abildgaard-i-aab-til-2022/ |website=AaB Sport |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719152234/https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2018/juni/abildgaard-i-aab-til-2022/ |archive-date=19 July 2022 |language=da |date=20 June 2018}} He was promoted to AaB's first-team squad in the summer of 2015 alongside Jannik Pohl from the club's under-19 side.{{cite web |title=Tre talenter får chancen i Superligatruppen |url=https://aabsport.dk/nyhedsarkiv/tre-talenter-faar-chancen-i-superligatruppen |website=AaB Sport |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208010842/https://aabsport.dk/nyhedsarkiv/tre-talenter-faar-chancen-i-superligatruppen |archive-date=8 December 2024 |language=da |date=13 June 2015}}
Abildgaard made his senior debut on 20 July 2015, starting in a 1–1 draw against Esbjerg in the Danish Superliga.{{cite web |title=AaB vs. Esbjerg 1–1: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/07/20/denmark/superliga/aalborg-bk/esbjerg-fb/2048469/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208133547/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/07/20/denmark/superliga/aalborg-bk/esbjerg-fb/2048469/ |archive-date=8 December 2024}} He conceded a penalty that led to Esbjerg's opening goal but later scored the equaliser.{{cite news |title=Ung AaB'er om vild debut: En stor oplevelse |url=http://www.tv3sport.dk/fodbold/nyheder/ung-aaber-om-vild-debut-en-stor-oplevelse/ |work=TV 3 Sport |date=20 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722192008/http://www.tv3sport.dk/fodbold/nyheder/ung-aaber-om-vild-debut-en-stor-oplevelse/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 |language=da |url-status=dead}} He made his Danish Cup debut later that year, featuring against local rivals Vendsyssel FF.{{cite web |title=AaB overbevisende videre i DBU Pokalen |url=https://aabsport.dk/nyhedsarkiv/aab-overbevisende-videre-i-dbu-pokalen |website=AaB Sport |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728164826/https://aabsport.dk/nyhedsarkiv/aab-overbevisende-videre-i-dbu-pokalen |archive-date=28 July 2021 |language=da |date=9 September 2015}}{{cite web |title=Vendsyssel vs. AaB 0–2: Summary |url=https://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2015/09/09/denmark/dbu-pokalen/fc-hjorring/aalborg-bk/2140983/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619221349/https://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2015/09/09/denmark/dbu-pokalen/fc-hjorring/aalborg-bk/2140983/ |archive-date=19 June 2016}}
During his first season, Abildgaard made 14 league appearances, including seven starts.{{Soccerway|oliver-abildgaard/408317}} Over the following two campaigns, he remained primarily a squad player. In the 2016–17 season, AaB finished the regular season in the relegation round and subsequently qualified for the European play-offs, where they were eliminated by Randers.{{cite news |title=Randers kommer tættere på Europa efter udesejr over AaB |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2017-05-12-randers-kommer-taettere-paa-europa-efter-udesejr-over-aab |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=TV 2 Sport |date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427073653/https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2017-05-12-randers-kommer-taettere-paa-europa-efter-udesejr-over-aab |archive-date=27 April 2025 |language=da-DK}} In the 2017–18 season, the club progressed to the championship round, with Abildgaard making seven appearances, six as a starter.
The 2018–19 season marked a breakthrough for Abildgaard, as he became a more regular presence in the starting lineup.{{cite news |last1=Olsson |first1=Søren |title=Østeuropæisk storklub er ude efter Abildgaard |url=https://nordjyske.dk/plus/sport/oesteuropaeisk-storklub-er-ude-efter-abildgaard/8ec36698-6aa7-4789-b23d-3aa8eec352f5 |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Nordjyske |date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703161542/https://nordjyske.dk/plus/sport/oesteuropaeisk-storklub-er-ude-efter-abildgaard/8ec36698-6aa7-4789-b23d-3aa8eec352f5 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |language=da}} However, his campaign was curtailed by a back injury sustained during the relegation round.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |title=Rygsmerter holder Abildgaard ude af AaB-trup |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/rygsmerter-holder-abildgaard-ude-af-aab-trup |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412202912/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/rygsmerter-holder-abildgaard-ude-af-aab-trup |archive-date=12 April 2019 |language=da}}{{cite news |title=Ryggen driller stadig Abildgaard: - Jeg havde håbet på at være helt smertefri |url=https://nordjyske.dk/plus/sport/ryggen-driller-stadig-abildgaard-jeg-havde-haabet-paa-at-vaere-helt-smertefri/22280a06-5ca6-4f68-8684-459c43781f16 |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Nordjyske |date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427074256/https://nordjyske.dk/plus/sport/ryggen-driller-stadig-abildgaard-jeg-havde-haabet-paa-at-vaere-helt-smertefri/22280a06-5ca6-4f68-8684-459c43781f16 |archive-date=27 April 2025 |language=da}} In the first half of the 2019–20 season, he continued to feature regularly, albeit not consistently in the starting eleven. At that time, his contract with AaB was set to run until 2022.
=Rubin Kazan=
On 3 February 2020, Abildgaard joined Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan on loan, with an option to buy at the end of the 2019–20 season.[https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2020/februar/aab-udlejer-abildgaard-til-fc-rubin-kazan/ AaB udlejer indtil 30. juni 2020 Oliver Abildgaard til den russiske klub FC Rubin Kazan på en aftale med købsoption], aabsport.dk, 3 February 2020 He made his debut for the club on 1 March 2020 in a league match against Tambov, starting the game before being substituted around the hour mark by Zuriko Davitashvili; the match ended in a goalless draw.
On 20 June 2020, AaB confirmed that Rubin Kazan had exercised the purchase option, with Abildgaard signing a permanent contract until 30 June 2024.{{cite web|publisher=AaB|url=https://aabsport.dk/nyheder/2020/juni/abildgaard-skifter-permanent-til-fc-rubin-kazan/|title=Abildgaard skifter permanent til FC Rubin Kazan|date=20 June 2020|language=Danish}} He quickly became a regular starter and was an important figure during the 2020–21 season, helping Rubin Kazan finish fourth in the Russian Premier League and qualify for the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. The club entered the competition in the third qualifying round, where they were eliminated by Polish side Raków Częstochowa. In the 2021–22 season, Abildgaard continued to feature regularly, often playing the full 90 minutes, although he missed part of the campaign due to muscular issues. Rubin Kazan were relegated from the Russian Premier League at the end of the season.
==Loan to Celtic==
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIFA introduced regulations allowing foreign players in Russia to suspend their contracts until the end of the 2021–22 season and sign with clubs outside the country during that period.{{cite web |title=FIFA regulations on foreign players in Russia |url= |publisher= |date= }} On 1 September 2022, Abildgaard moved on loan to Celtic in Scotland for the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|publisher=Rubin Kazan|url=https://rubin-kazan.ru/posts/seltik-arendoval-u-rubina-olivera-abildgora|title="СЕЛТИК" АРЕНДОВАЛ У "РУБИНА" ОЛИВЕРА АБИЛЬДГОРА|trans-title=Celtic loaned Oliver Abildgaard from Rubin|date=2 September 2022|access-date=2 September 2022|language=ru}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62749631 |title=Oliver Abildgaard: Celtic sign midfielder from Rubin Kazan |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2022 |accessdate=4 September 2022}} Due to lack of playing time, Abildgaard's loan spell at Celtic was terminated.
= Loan to Hellas Verona =
On 31 January 2023, he joined Serie A club Hellas Verona on a loan-deal for the remainder of the season.[https://www.hellasverona.it/news/innesto-danese-a-centrocampo-oliver-abildgaard-nielsen-e-gialloblu Innesto danese a centrocampo: Oliver Abildgaard Nielsen è gialloblù], hellasverona.it, 31 January 2023
=Como=
On 12 July 2023, Abildgaard joined Serie B club Como on a three-year deal.[https://comofootball.com/como-1907-e-lieta-di-annunciare-lingaggio-del-centrocampista-danese-oliver-abildgaard/ COMO 1907 È LIETA DI ANNUNCIARE L'INGAGGIO DEL CENTROCAMPISTA DANESE OLIVER ABILDGAARD], comofootball.com, 12 July 2023 On 30 August 2024, he was loaned to Pisa in Serie B, with an option to buy.{{cite web|publisher=Pisa|url=https://pisasportingclub.com/oliver-abildgaard-e-del-pisa/|title=Oliver Abildgaard è del Pisa!|trans-title=Oliver Abildgaard is at Pisa!|date=30 August 2024|access-date=31 August 2024|language=it}}
International career
Abildgaard made one appearance for the Denmark under-20 national team before progressing to the under-21 level. He debuted for the Denmark U21 team on 20 January 2016 in a goalless friendly against Ukraine in Belek, Turkey.{{cite web |title=Danmark – Ukraine 0–0 |url=https://www.dbu.dk/landshold/landsholdsdatabasen/MatchInfo/7673 |website=DBU |access-date=27 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127112344/https://www.dbu.dk/landshold/landsholdsdatabasen/MatchInfo/7673 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |language=da}} Abildgaard was later selected for the squad that competed at the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Italy and San Marino.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |title=Tættere på U21-landsholdet: Oliver Abildgaard |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/taettere-paa-u21-landsholdet-oliver-abildgaard |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621235452/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/taettere-paa-u21-landsholdet-oliver-abildgaard |archive-date=21 June 2019 |language=da}} He featured once during the tournament, playing in the group stage match against defending champions Germany, as Denmark were eliminated after the group phase.{{cite news |last1=Asferg |first1=Mikkel |title=U21-profiler gør status efter EM: Ærgerligt og bittert |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2019-06-24-u21-profiler-goer-status-efter-em-aergerligt-og-bittert |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=TV 2 Sport |date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015055458/https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2019-06-24-u21-profiler-goer-status-efter-em-aergerligt-og-bittert |archive-date=15 October 2019 |language=da-DK}}
On 11 November 2020, Abildgaard earned his first senior cap for Denmark, appearing in a friendly match against Sweden.{{cite news |last1=Jensen |first1=Claus |title=Så kom opkaldet: Abildgaard udtaget til fodboldlandsholdet |url=https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/sport/saa-kom-opkaldet-abildgaard-udtaget-til-fodboldlandsholdet/722ef438-c28a-464f-9862-2224a9546e24 |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=Nordjyske |date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109210733/https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/sport/saa-kom-opkaldet-abildgaard-udtaget-til-fodboldlandsholdet/722ef438-c28a-464f-9862-2224a9546e24 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |language=da}}{{cite news |last1=Nielsen |first1=Ronni Burkal |title=Indskiftere sørger for dansk sejr over Sverige |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2020-11-11-indskiftere-soerger-for-dansk-sejr-over-sverige |access-date=27 April 2025 |work=TV 2 Sport |date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221162916/https://sport.tv2.dk/fodbold/2020-11-11-indskiftere-soerger-for-dansk-sejr-over-sverige |archive-date=21 December 2024 |language=da-DK}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 25 April 2025}}
| 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"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6"|AaB
|14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17
|Danish Superliga |12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|Danish Superliga |17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|Danish Superliga |25 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20
|Danish Superliga |11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!79 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 4 | |
| rowspan="1"|Rubin Kazan (loan)
|11 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Rubin Kazan
|Russian Premier League |28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|Russian Premier League |20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 62 | 1 | |
| Celtic (loan)
|6 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in the Scottish League Cup}} | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in the UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Hellas Verona (loan)
|13 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Como
|28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25
|Serie A |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||
| Pisa (loan)
|Serie B |21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 0 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!207 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 223 | 7 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{updated|match played 11 November 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="2"|Denmark | ||
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 1 | 0 |
|---|
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|oliver-abildgaard/408317}}
- {{DBU player|7441}}
{{Pisa SC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abildgaard, Mikkel}}
Category:Footballers from Aalborg
Category:Danish men's footballers
Category:Danish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Denmark men's international footballers
Category:Denmark men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Denmark men's youth international footballers
Category:Danish Superliga players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:FC Rubin Kazan players
Category:Hellas Verona FC players
Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Russia
Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Russia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy