Erik Hagen

Not to be confused with Erik Hagen (footballer, born 1941).

Erik Bjørnstad Hagen (born 20 July 1975) is a Norwegian former footballer who played as a centre-back in Norway and Russia, as well as for the Norwegian national team, earning 28 caps.

Erik Hagen

Hagen in 2007
Personal information
Full name	Erik Bjørnstad Hagen[1]
Date of birth	(1975-07-20) 20 July 1975 (age 50)
Place of birth	Veme, Norway
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Jevnaker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1994–1996	Jevnaker	42	(6)
1996–1997	Liv/Fossekallen	42	(6)
1998–1999	Strømsgodset IF	24	(0)
2000–2004	Vålerenga	112	(4)
2005–2008	Zenit Saint Petersburg	67	(3)
2008	→ Wigan Athletic (loan)	1	(0)
2008–2010	Vålerenga	27	(0)
2010–2011	Hønefoss	20	(1)
2011–2013	Jevnaker	25	(4)
Total		360	(25)
International career
2004–2007	Norway	28	(3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Club

During his time with Vålerenga, Hagen received the nickname "Panzer" from the club's fans. Amongst other things he created a "hate list" of Norwegian footballers in the club magazine Vål'enga Magasin, containing the likes of Vidar Riseth.^[2]

Hagen won the Kniksen Award as Defender of the Year, and as Kniksen of the Year in 2004. The Kniksen award is the highest individual award for a Norwegian footballer.

In December 2004 Hagen was sold to Zenit Saint Petersburg, becoming the first Norwegian footballer to play in Russia. In 2005, he played 28 league matches for Zenit, receiving 12 cautions. In January 2006 he was elected vice-captain by the team.

On 31 January 2008, it was announced that Hagen would be joining Premier League club Wigan Athletic, signing on loan until the end of the English season.^[3] However, he only made one appearance for the team, in the away defeat at Portsmouth.

On 28 July 2008, Hagen appeared at the Vålerenga home game against Tromsø, where it was announced he had re-signed for the club until the end of the 2010 season. The return of one of Vålerenga's most popular players was well received with supporters.

During an interview in April 2014, Hagen admitted to bribing a referee in a European match during his time with Zenit Saint Petersburg.^[4]

International career

Hagen made his debut, aged 29, for the Norwegian national team away to Scotland on 9 October 2004. Norway won 1–0.

Personal life

Hagen has a twin brother, Rune Hagen, who also plays professional football. He signed for Vålerenga at the same time as his brother.^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics

Club

Source:^[5][6]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Zenit Saint Petersburg	2005	Russian Premier League	28	0	5	0	-		8	0	-		41	0
	2006		24	0	5	0	-		5	0	-		34	0
	2007		15	0	5	0	-		2	0	-		22	0
	2008		0	0	0	0	-		0	0	-		0	0
	Total		67	3	15	0	-	-	15	0	-	-	97	3
Wigan Athletic (loan)	2007–08[7]	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	-		-		1	0
Vålerenga	2008	Tippeligaen	6	0	0	0	-		-		-		6	0
	2009		21	0	2	0	-		0	0	-		23	0
	Total		27	0	2	0	-	-	0	0	-	-	29	0
Hønefoss	2010	Tippeligaen	17	0	1	0	-		-		2	0	20	0
	2011	Adeccoligaen	3	0	0	0	-		-		-		3	0
	Total		20	0	1	0	-	-	-	-	2	0	23	0
Career total			115	3	18	0	0	0	15	0	2	0	150	3

International

Source:^[8]

Norway national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2004	3	0
2005	9	0
2006	7	1
2007	9	2
Total	28	3

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	1 March 2006	Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal	Senegal	1-2	1-2	Friendly
2	17 October 2007	Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1-0	2-0	UEFA European Championship 2008 Qual.
3	17 November 2007	Ullevaal stadion, Oslo, Norway	Turkey	1-0	1-2	UEFA European Championship 2008 Qual.