Gard Simenstad

Gard Simenstad (born 12 April 1999) is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a wing back or midfielder for Hamkam.

Gard Simenstad

Personal information
Date of birth	(1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 26)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Hamkam
Number	18
Youth career
–2014	Vind
2015–2016	Gjøvik-Lyn
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2018	Gjøvik-Lyn	64	(14)
2019–2023	Raufoss	86	(9)
2024–	Hamkam	27	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 December 2024

He started his youth career in Vind IL and then SK Gjøvik-Lyn. For the latter team he started his senior career, but experienced relegation from the 2016 2. divisjon.^[1] In the summer of 2017, during a russ trip to Kos, he experienced the 2017 Aegean Sea earthquake.^[2] After the 2018 season he started training with First Division club Raufoss IL. His older brother Stian already played for that team.^[3]

Simenstad progressed from played a third of Raufoss' league games in 2019, to half of their league games in 2020.^[4] He then lost the entire 2021 season due to long-term injury. He made a comeback in March 2022, in the cup game against Strømsgodset, where he also scored.^[5][6]

With Simenstad being a mainstay in the Raufoss team in 2022 and 2023, his contract was due to expire and he was followed by a number of teams, choosing to sign for Eliteserien club Hamkam.^[7][8] At Hamkam, Simenstad made a breakthrough and especially became known as one of Eliteserien's most proficient free kick takers. On 8 May he scored from about 25 metres against Vålerenga in the cup.^[9] The NRK commentators Tete Lidbom and Carl-Erik Torp said, respectively: "It's David Beckham against Greece for England!" and "Give the man his own documentary film!".^[10] On 20 May he scored the winning goal against reigning champions Bodø/Glimt, and on 1 June he scored against Brann.^[11][12] Comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward Prowse were drawn as well.^[13]