Erik Hagen
Erik "Panzer" Hagen (born 20 July 1975 in Veme) is a Norwegian international football player, formerly playing on with Hønefoss. He is a center back. During his time in Vålerenga he was nicknamed "Panzer" by the fans. Among other things he created a "hate list" of Norwegian footballers in the club magazine Vål'enga Magasin, containing among others Vidar Riseth.
On 9 October 2004 Erik Hagen made his first appearance on the Norwegian national team away to Scotland at 29 years of age. Norway won 1-0.
Hagen's 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 Erik Hagen was sold to Zenit St. Petersburg from Vålerenga, becoming the first Norwegian footballer to play in Russia. In 2005 Hagen 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 current season. His only appearance for the first team was in the away defeat at Portsmouth.
He has a twin brother, Rune Hagen, who also plays professional football. He signed for Vålerenga at the same time as his brother.
On July 28, 2008 he appeared on the Vålerenga home stadium before a game against Tromsø. It was announced he has once again signed for the club, and is coming back to where his career reached new heights. According to Vålerenga he has signed a 2½ year contract with the Oslo club. This was especially appreciated with Klanen, Vålerenga's official supporter club, as Hagen was one of the most popular players to play for the club.
Read more about Erik Hagen: International Goals
Famous quotes containing the words erik and/or hagen:
“Young people of high school age can actually feel themselves changing. Progress is almost tangible. It’s exciting. It stimulates more progress. Nevertheless, growth is not constant and smooth. Erik Erikson quotes an aphorism to describe the formless forming of it. “I ain’t what I ought to be. I ain’t what I’m going to be, but I’m not what I was.””
—Stella Chess (20th century)
“More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic.”
—Uta Hagen (b. 1919)