Stephan Andersen

Stephan Maigaard Andersen (born November 26, 1981) is a Danish professional football player, who plays as a goalkeeper for Brøndby IF in the Danish Superliga. Andersen is also playing for the Denmark national football team and was chosen to represent his country at the 2004 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Starting his career at the youth teams of Hvidovre IF, he moved youth setup of multiple Danish champions Brøndby IF. When he wasn't seen as a long-term prospect for the Brøndby goalkeeping position, he left Brøndby in the winter 1999, to rejoin Hvidovre. Andersen made his senior debut for Hvidovre IF in the lower league Danish 1st Division, and was recognized as a big talent.

In March 2002, Hvidovre owner, and professional goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel chose to end his engagement in the club. Hvidovre actively sought to off-load Andersen, one of only two professional players in the squad. He was initially wanted by a number of clubs in English football, including Schmeichel's club Aston Villa FC and Sunderland AFC, the club of Danish international goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen. Sunderland opted to buy Norwegian international goalkeeper Thomas Myhre instead, and no other foreign offers materialized. Andersen moved to Akademisk Boldklub (AB) in the top-flight Danish Superliga championship in August 2002.

He moved abroad to join English club Charlton Athletic in a DKK 8 million transfer deal in June 2004.<ref...
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