Helge Haugen

Helge Haugen (born 15 February 1982) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Bergen, Haugen started his professional career in the local Tippeligaen club Brann. During his time at the club, he won the 2004 Norwegian Football Cup and the 2007 Tippeligaen. He has later played for Tromsø and Hønefoss, before he joined Sogndal ahead of the 2014 season. Haugen played one match for the Norwegian under-21 team in 2003.

Career

Early life Haugen was born in Bergen and grew up in Åsane, where he played for Åsane Fotball. He did also compete in orienteering during his youth, becoming a medallist in the Norwegian youth orienteering championship. Haugen represented Norway at youth international level, where he made eight appearances without scoring a goal between 1998 and 2000. He played for Åsane's first team in the 2. divisjon in 2001, when the team won promotion to the 1. divisjon. After the season, he transferred to the Tippeligaen team Brann.

Brann Haugen made his debut for Brann against Bodø/Glimt in May 2002, and made two appearances in Tippeligaen in his first season with the club. Ahead of the 2003 season, Mons Ivar Mjelde replaced Thordarson as Brann's head coach, and Mjelde wanted to keep Haugen at the club, and he subsequently made his break-through at the first team during the second half of the season and was also called up to the Norwegian under-21 team for the first team. Haugen also played in the Cup Final, when Brann won their first title the 1982. Haugen ended an impressive season with a goal against Malmö FF in the Royal League.

Haugen scored a goal that ended Hønefoss' goal-drought of 325 minutes, when his team won 3–1 against Sogndal on 3 November 2013.

Hønefoss was relegated from Tippeligaen after the 2013 season, and as Haugen's contract with the club had expired he joined Sogndal as a free agent.

Career statistics

Honours Tippeligaen: 2007 Norwegian Cup: 2004