Axel Kryger

Axel Kryger (born 21 October 1997) is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a central defender for Bryne in the Norwegian Eliteserien. He also played over 200 games in the Norwegian First Division.

Axel Kryger

Picture of Axel Kryger
Personal information
Date of birth	(1997-10-21) 21 October 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Sandnes, Norway
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s)	Center-back
Team information
Current team	Bryne
Number	26
Youth career
0000–2013	Sandnes Ulf
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014	Lura
2015–2019	Sandnes Ulf	90	(7)
2020–2022	Sogndal	66	(1)
2022–	Bryne	67	(5)
International career
2015	Norway U18	7	(0)
2016	Norway U19	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2 June 2025

Career

He hails from Trones in central Sandnes.^[2] After playing for Sandnes Ulf up to U16 level, he started his senior career in lowly Lura in 2014 before returning to Sandnes Ulf and their senior team in 2015. He was also capped as a Norway youth international. Kryger subsequently played 100 games for Sandnes Ulf in league and cup competitions.^[3]

After the 2019 season, Kryger left Sandnes for the first time as he signed for Sogndal.^[4] He was described as a workhorse.^{[5] [6]}

In the summer of 2022, Kryger moved back to Rogaland and Bryne.^[7] Then-pundit Vegard Hansen stated that Bryne was a "winner" of the transfer window, crediting their 7 points in 3 recent matches with the arrival of Kryger, Jørgen Hatlehol and Jens Husebø.^[8] Kryger stated that he had "no feelings for Sandnes Ulf" anymore.^[9]

On 2 November 2024, Kryger scored a decisive goal as Bryne beat Egersund 2–1 and won promotion to the Eliteserien, for the first time since 2003.^[10][11] He also renewed his contract, which was about to expire.^[12] Kryger would make his Eliteserien debut in 2025 as team captain.^[13]

On 21 April, Kryger both recorded his first Eliteserien victory and his first goal, as Haugesund was beat 3–1. Kryger was declared man of the match locally, and as such he received a live lamb.^[14] Some regarded it as a fun media jippo; however the Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals claimed it to violate animal welfare laws. Bryne countered that the lamb was only symbolic.^[15]

Personal life

Kryger settled in Sandnes.^[16] By 2025, he had two children.^[17]

Career statistics

As of 2 June 2025^[3]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sandnes Ulf	2015	1. divisjon	7	0	0	0	—		7	0
	2016	1. divisjon	3	0	1	0	—		4	0
	2017	1. divisjon	23	3	2	0	1[a]	0	26	3
	2018	1. divisjon	28	4	3	2	—		31	6
	2019	1. divisjon	29	0	3	0	—		32	0
	Total		90	7	9	2	1	0	100	9
Sogndal	2020	1. divisjon	27	0	—		2[a]	0	29	0
	2021	1. divisjon	25	0	3	1	1[a]	0	29	1
	2022	1. divisjon	14	1	3	1	—		17	2
	Total		66	1	6	2	3	0	75	3
Bryne	2022	1. divisjon	10	1	1	0	—		11	1
	2023	1. divisjon	28	0	3	0	1[a]	0	32	0
	2024	1. divisjon	20	3	0	0	—		20	3
	2025	Eliteserien	9	1	4	1	—		13	2
	Total		67	5	8	1	1	0	76	6
Career total			223	13	23	5	5	0	251	18

1. Appearance(s) in Eliteserien play-offs