24.02.2009, 10:26
Leaving Spain

Scandinavian stars, Kristian Kjelling and Torsten Laen, take direction North.

Leaving Spain

Kjelling leaves Portland San Antonio

Norwegian international Kristian Kjelling will leave Spanish Portland San Antonio at the end of the season. His contract in Pamplona will expire and the 28-year old left back has signed a three-year contract with the Danish top club AaB Håndbold.

“AaB is one of Denmark’s leading clubs. I hope I will be able to contribute to the team leaving its mark in Denmark as well as in Europe,” Kristian Kjelling said as the contract was officially announced.

Three of his Norwegian national team mates already have experience with AaB. Playmaker Børge Lund and left winger Hårvard Tvedten have both played in the Aalborg-based club in the past. At the moment, left back André Jørgensen plays there.

Actually, Kjelling will succeed André Jørgensen, as the other Norwegian will move to GOG Svendborg.

“From the former Norwegian players in AaB I heard only good things about the club. It seems to be a natural choice for me. The club’s great ambitions appeal to me and I’m sure that I can develop even further in AaB,” Kjelling said.

A scoop

“Getting a player of Kristian Kjelling´s level is a scoop for AaB. In fact, not only for AaB, but for the entire Danish league and for Danish handball in general,” Jan Larsen, sports director in AaB Håndbold said.

“Kristian Kjelling has been part of the world elite for years and it is obvious that his arrival to an already strong squad means that we aim to maintain our position at the top of Danish handball,” Jan Larsen added.

AaB have a very good chance to qualify for the Champions League next season for the first time ever.

Laen signs for Berlin

After the Icelandic right back, Olafur Stefansson, another player will leave the club at the end of the season.

Danish line player Torsten Laen, who has been playing for Ciudad since the summer of 2007, is also going to Germany. Laen signed a two-year contract with Füchse Berlin, who are currently placed just below the middle of the Bundesliga, but have great ambitions for the future.

“I had offers from other top clubs in Germany as well as in Spain, but I would only be second choice there, like in Ciudad Real. And I feel ready to be a first-choice pivot,” the 29-year old Torsten Laen told the Danish TV 2.

“I also had some interesting opportunities in Denmark, but I feel that I’m not yet ready to return home. I think Füchse have started a really exciting project. We may not be playing for the German championship at first, but I definitely think that we can qualify for a European Cup,” added Torsten Laen, who was part of the Danish national team at the World Championship in Croatia. He played 140 internationals for his country.

TEXT: Peter Bruun