Rasmus Lauritsen
{{short description|Danish footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rasmus Lauritsen
| image = Rasmus Lauritsen 2021.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Lauritsen with Dinamo Zagreb in 2021
| full_name = Rasmus Steensbæk Lauritsen
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|2|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = Brande, Denmark
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Brøndby
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 = 2000–{{0|0000}}
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2011
| youthclubs2 = Herning Fremad
| youthyears3 = 2011–2015
| youthclubs3 = Midtjylland
| years1 = 2015–2016
| clubs1 = Midtjylland
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = Skive
| caps2 = 31
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2017–2019
| clubs3 = Vejle
| caps3 = 48
| goals3 = 8
| years4 = 2019–2020
| clubs4 = IFK Norrköping
| caps4 = 48
| goals4 = 11
| years5 = 2020–2023
| clubs5 = Dinamo Zagreb
| caps5 = 49
| goals5 = 3
| years6 = 2023–
| clubs6 = Brøndby
| caps6 = 38
| goals6 = 1
| club-update = 20:35, 14 February 2025 (UTC)
}}
Rasmus Steensbæk Lauritsen (born 27 February 1996) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Danish Superliga club Brøndby.
Career
=Early years=
Lauritsen has both played for Herning Fremad and Brande IF as a youth player, starting as a four-year-old, before joining Midtjylland in the summer 2011.{{cite web |title=Viljefast lokaltalent ny akademispiller |url=http://fcmklubsamarbejdet.dk/?sid=1225 |website=FC Midtjylland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405215011/http://fcmklubsamarbejdet.dk/?sid=1225 |archive-date=5 April 2016 |language=da |url-status=dead}} He made his senior debut for Midtjylland at age 19 on 8 November 2015 in a 5–1 Superliga home win over Esbjerg.{{cite web |title=Debutant: Var egentlig ved at varme ned |url=http://fcm.dk/en/node/14526 |website=FC Midtjylland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121915/http://fcm.dk/en/node/14526 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |language=da |date=8 November 2015 |url-status=dead}} That appearance proved to be his only first-team outing for Midtjylland, as he sought regular playing time elsewhere.
=Skive=
On 5 January 2016, Lauritsen signed a two-year contract with Danish 1st Division side Skive.{{cite news |last1=Tang |first1=Ole |title=SIK henter 19-årig talent |url=https://www.skivefolkeblad.dk/artikel/6b1e824f-fb92-41d3-8992-c05e796d2cd8/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |work=Skive Folkeblad |date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131222359/https://www.skivefolkeblad.dk/artikel/6b1e824f-fb92-41d3-8992-c05e796d2cd8/ |archive-date=31 January 2023 |language=da}} He immediately became a starter in Skive's defence and gained his first experience of senior football. On 1 December 2016, he scored his first senior goal, equalising in Skive's 3–2 victory over Næstved.{{cite news |title=Skive snuppede sen sejr mod Næstved |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/skive-snuppede-sen-sejr-mod-naestved/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204071437/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/skive-snuppede-sen-sejr-mod-naestved/ |archive-date=4 December 2016 |language=da}} Lauritsen totalled 31 league appearances and three goals during his year with Skive, prompting interest from higher-tier clubs.
=Vejle=
Lauritsen signed a two-year contract with Danish 1st Division club Vejle Boldklub in June 2017, joining a team aiming for promotion.{{ cite web | title = Vejle henter ung stopper i Skive | url = http://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/vejle-henter-ung-stopper-i-skive/ | publisher = bold.dk | date = 9 June 2017}} A few months later the club extended Lauritsen's contract for one more year.{{ cite web | title = Rasmus Lauritsen Forlænger | url = https://vejle-boldklub.dk/rasmus-lauritsen-forlaenger/ | publisher = vejle-boldklub.dk | date = 22 September 2017}} He quickly became an integral player at Vejle—in the 2017–18 season he scored six goals from centre-back as Vejle clinched the 1st Division championship, earning promotion to the Superliga.{{cite web |title=Vejle tilbage efter 9 års fravær |url=https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/vejle-tilbage-efter-9-aars-fravaer |website=F.C. København |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415163230/https://www.fck.dk/nyhed/vejle-tilbage-efter-9-aars-fravaer |archive-date=15 April 2025 |language=da |date=21 October 2018}}
Lauritsen made his top-flight debut for Vejle the following season and netted his first Superliga goal in a 1–1 draw against fellow promoted side Vendsyssel in August 2018.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |title=Vendsyssel og Vejle delte i oprykkerduel |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/vendsyssel-og-vejle-delte-i-oprykkerduel/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922084245/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/vendsyssel-og-vejle-delte-i-oprykkerduel/ |archive-date=22 September 2019 |language=da}} His performances as a prolific scoring defender in Denmark attracted attention from abroad.
=IFK Norrköping=
On 11 February 2019, Lauritsen moved abroad and signed for Swedish top club Norrköping on a three-year deal.{{ cite web | title = IFK Norrköping värvar Rasmus Lauritsen | url = http://ifknorrkoping.se/nyheter/arkiv/ifk-norrkoeping-vaervar-rasmus-lauritsen | publisher = ifknorrkoping.se | date = 11 February 2019}} He continued his impressive form in Allsvenskan, tallying 11 goals in 48 league matches over the 2019 and 2020 seasons—an unusually high output for a defender. Media noted that Lauritsen had become one of the most goal-threatening centre-backs in the league.{{cite news |last1=Hoffskov |first1=Ole |title=Medie: Tyrkisk storklub lurer på målfarlig dansk midtstopper |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/medie-tyrkisk-storklub-lurer-paa-maalfarlig-dansk-midtstopper |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Tipsbladet.dk |date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928190427/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/medie-tyrkisk-storklub-lurer-paa-maalfarlig-dansk-midtstopper |archive-date=28 September 2020 |language=da-DK}}{{cite news |title=Brandit stod bagerst i køen i FCM: Nu imponerer han i svenske IFK Norrköping |url=https://www.herningfolkeblad.dk/artikel/12842ee9-91e3-40b7-ae86-67e4dc662d62/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Herning Folkeblad |date=14 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929015143/https://www.herningfolkeblad.dk/artikel/12842ee9-91e3-40b7-ae86-67e4dc662d62/ |archive-date=29 September 2020 |language=da}}
=Dinamo Zagreb=
On 2 October 2020, Lauritsen signed for Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2 October 2020|title=Dinamovo novo pojačanje: Rasmus Lauritsen!|url=https://gnkdinamo.hr/hr/Novosti/Clanak/dinamovo-novo-pojacanje-rasmus-lauritsen|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=30 November 2020|website=GNK Dinamo|language=hr-HR}} He debuted two days later against Varaždin and made an error that resulted in a goal. However, his performances soon drastically improved and had an instant impact on Dinamo's defense, causing them not to concede a single goal in all five Europa League group stage games that he played.{{Cite web|last=Olivari|first=Davorin|date=30 November 2020|title=Ono što je ostvario Dinamo u posljednjih je deset godina uspjelo samo Man. Unitedu i još jednom klubu|url=https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/europska-liga/ono-sto-je-ostvario-dinamo-u-posljednjih-je-deset-godina-uspjelo-samo-man-unitedu-i-jos-jednom-klubu-15034155|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=30 November 2020|website=Sportske novosti|language=hr-hr}}{{Cite web|last=Tironi|first=Hrvoje|date=11 December 2020|title=Razgoropadio je Lovru Majera, a Lauritsenom učvrstio obranu|url=https://www.24sata.hr/sport/razgoropadio-je-lovru-majera-a-lauritsenom-ucvrstio-obranu-733475|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=12 December 2020|website=24sata|language=hr}}
During Lauritsen's time with the club, Dinamo won back-to-back Prva HNL titles in 2020–21 and 2021–22, and also captured the Croatian Cup in 2021.
=Brøndby=
On 30 January 2023, Lauritsen returned to his native Denmark to join Brøndby on a four-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web |title=Brøndby IF henter Rasmus Lauritsen |url=https://brondby.com/nyheder/klub/2023/januar/brondby-if-henter-rasmus-lauritsen |website=Brøndby IF |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222045847/https://brondby.com/nyheder/klub/2023/januar/brondby-if-henter-rasmus-lauritsen |archive-date=22 February 2024 |language=da |date=30 January 2023}} "I am incredibly happy to join... It is a huge club, and I am ... proud to represent Brøndby IF… I have come to Brøndby to play at the top of Danish football and eventually to play in Europe again," Lauritsen said upon signing. He arrived carrying a minor injury and lacking full fitness, which delayed his integration into the squad.{{cite news |last1=Bellaiche |first1=Emil |title=Brøndby-duo døjer med småskavanker: Vi tager ingen chancer |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/broendby-duo-doejer-med-smaaskavanker-vi-tager-ingen-chancer |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302200822/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/broendby-duo-doejer-med-smaaskavanker-vi-tager-ingen-chancer |archive-date=2 March 2023 |language=da}} Making his debut for the club on 10 April, he entered the match in the 88th minute, substituting for Frederik Winther during a 2–1 league loss to Nordsjælland.{{cite web |title=Nordsjælland vs. Brøndby 2–1: Summary |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/10/denmark/superliga/fc-nordsjalland/brondby-if/4058260/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127200126/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/10/denmark/superliga/fc-nordsjalland/brondby-if/4058260/ |archive-date=27 January 2024}} On 16 April, he earned his first starting position and contributed to the team keeping a clean sheet during a 1–0 victory against AGF.{{cite news |last1=Porse |first1=Kristian |title=Lettet Brøndby-profil: Langt skadesforløb har været hårdt |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/lettet-brondby-profil-langt-skadesforlob-har-vaeret-hardt |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=bold.dk |date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127195945/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/lettet-brondby-profil-langt-skadesforlob-har-vaeret-hardt |archive-date=27 January 2024 |language=da}}
Lauritsen began the 2023–24 season vying for a regular place in Brøndby's defence, but another injury in August 2023 derailed his progress.{{cite news |last1=Nielsen |first1=Mikkel Fuhr |title=Rasmus Lauritsen på ønskelisten i danskerklub |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/rasmus-lauritsen-paa-oenskelisten-i-danskerklub |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Tipsbladet |date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009054254/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/rasmus-lauritsen-paa-oenskelisten-i-danskerklub |archive-date=9 October 2023 |language=da-DK}} During his absence, newly arrived centre-back Jacob Rasmussen and others cemented their spots, and head coach Jesper Sørensen kept faith with a back line of Rasmussen, Henrik Heggheim, and Frederik Alves, leaving Lauritsen out of the starting eleven.{{cite news |last1=Quvang |first1=Jacob |title=Opstillinger: Dyr Brøndby-profil er fortsat bænket |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/opstillinger-dyr-broendby-profil-er-fortsat-baenket |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Tipsbladet |date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001085738/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/opstillinger-dyr-broendby-profil-er-fortsat-baenket |archive-date=1 October 2023 |language=da-DK}} Although he recovered fitness later in the season and went on to make 19 league appearances (scoring his first goal for Brøndby in May 2024 during a league fixture against AGF),{{cite news |last1=Marboe |first1=Mads Bye |title=Kæmpe koks: Brøndby laver selvmål |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/kaempe-koks-broendby-laver-selvmaal |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Tipsbladet |date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721000227/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/kaempe-koks-broendby-laver-selvmaal |archive-date=21 July 2024 |language=da-DK}} he largely had to settle for a reserve role. In October 2023, media in Sweden even reported that his former club IFK Norrköping had him on their wish list due to his situation, as Norrköping's coach Glen Riddersholm publicly expressed interest in a reunion.{{cite news |last1=Nielsen |first1=Mikkel Fuhr |title=Rasmus Lauritsen på ønskelisten i danskerklub |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/rasmus-lauritsen-paa-oenskelisten-i-danskerklub |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Tipsbladet |date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009054254/https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/skandinavien/rasmus-lauritsen-paa-oenskelisten-i-danskerklub |archive-date=9 October 2023 |language=da-DK}}
In early 2025, Lauritsen experienced a resurgence in form. Brøndby entered the spring of the 2024–25 Superliga campaign with captain Jacob Rasmussen and Frederik Alves both sidelined by injuries. New head coach Frederik Birk turned to Lauritsen, handing him a rare start on 7 April 2025 against AGF—only Lauritsen's second league start of the season. Despite concerns over his match sharpness (he had played just four minutes since the winter break), Lauritsen completed the full match and delivered a strong performance in a 2–1 win. Birk, who normally "preached the collective before the individual," made an exception to praise Lauritsen's impact, saying the veteran centre-back had "stepped up" and earned the team's respect with his attitude and level of play.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Martin |last2=Wehlast |first2=Mads Glenn |title=Birk prædiker altid kollektiv: Gjorde undtagelse efter sejr |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/birk-praediker-altid-kollektiv-gjorde-undtagelse-efter-sejr/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=8 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415171301/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/birk-praediker-altid-kollektiv-gjorde-undtagelse-efter-sejr/ |archive-date=15 April 2025 |language=da}} The following week Lauritsen retained his place for the derby against Copenhagen, where he again impressed as the central figure in a three-man defence, helping Brøndby to a 2–1 victory at Parken.{{cite news |last1=Nøjsen |first1=Daniel |last2=Wehlast |first2=Mads Glenn |title=Kom ud af ingenting: Lauritsen imponerer stort |url=https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/kom-ud-af-ingenting-lauritsen-imponerer-stort/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |work=Bold |date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415171625/https://bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/kom-ud-af-ingenting-lauritsen-imponerer-stort/ |archive-date=15 April 2025 |language=da}} Birk highlighted that when the game suits Lauritsen's strengths and "he can stand and head away" opposition attacks, "he is one of the Superliga's best" in that role."
Personal life
Lauritsen has a twin brother, Frederik, who also plays football.{{cite web |title=Frederik Lauritsen / Elitehold |url=http://www.silkeborgif.com/talent/elitehold/aargang-96plus97/frederik-lauritsen/ |website=Silkeborg IF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114304/http://www.silkeborgif.com/talent/elitehold/aargang-96plus97/frederik-lauritsen/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |language=da |url-status=dead}}
His favourite player is Andy Carroll and his favourite team is Arsenal.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 14 February 2025}}{{Soccerway|id=rasmus-lauritsen/404613|name=Rasmus Lauritsen|accessdate=12 April 2021}}
| 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{{Efn|Includes Danish Cup, Svenska Cupen and Croatian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Midtjylland
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Skive
|11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2016–17
|Danish 1st Division |20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!31 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 3 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Vejle
|Danish 1st Division |30 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 6 | |||
| 2018–19
|Danish Superliga |18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 8 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 8 | |||
| rowspan="3"|IFK Norrköping
|2019 |26 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in the UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 6 | ||
| 2020
|Allsvenskan |22 | 6 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 6 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!48 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 57 | 12 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Dinamo Zagreb
|24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22
|Prva HNL |16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23
|Prva HNL |9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in the UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=CSC|Appearance in Croatian Football Super Cup}} | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!49 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 81 | 3 | |
| rowspan="4"|Brøndby
|Danish Superliga |9 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 2023–24
|Danish Superliga |19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 1 | |||
| 2024–25
|Danish Superliga |10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=ECL|Appearances in the UEFA Conference League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!38 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!215 | 26 | 14 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 265 | 27 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Midtjylland
Dinamo Zagreb
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|rasmus-lauritsen/404613}}
{{Brøndby IF squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lauritsen, Rasmus}}
Category:Danish men's footballers
Category:Danish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Danish Superliga players
Category:Danish 1st Division players
Category:Croatian Football League players
Category:FC Midtjylland players
Category:Vejle Boldklub players
Category:IFK Norrköping players
Category:GNK Dinamo Zagreb players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Sweden
Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Croatia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia
Category:Sportspeople from Ikast-Brande Municipality