Elias Melkersen Explained

Elias Melkersen
Fullname:Elias Hoff Melkersen
Birth Date:31 December 2002
Birth Place:Norway
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Strømsgodset
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:–2018
Youthclubs1:Stjørdals-Blink
Youthyears2:2018–2020
Youthclubs2:Bodø/Glimt
Years1:2018–2019
Clubs1:Bodø/Glimt 2
Caps1:14
Goals1:5
Years2:2020–2021
Clubs2:Bodø/Glimt
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Hødd (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:4
Years4:2021
Clubs4:Ranheim (loan)
Caps4:26
Goals4:17
Years5:2022–2024
Clubs5:Hibernian
Caps5:24
Goals5:0
Years6:2023
Clubs6:Sparta Rotterdam (loan)
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Strømsgodset (loan)
Caps7:12
Goals7:4
Years8:2024 -
Clubs8:Strømsgodset
Caps8:19
Goals8:5
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:Norway U17
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2020
Nationalteam2:Norway U18
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2021–
Nationalteam3:Norway U20
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:2
Nationalyears4:2023–
Nationalteam4:Norway U21
Nationalcaps4:3
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:17 August 2024
Ntupdate:7 March 2024

Elias Hoff Melkersen (born 31 December 2002) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays for Strømsgodset as a forward.

Club career

Early career

Melkersen played in his native Norway with Bodø/Glimt, Hødd and Ranheim.

Hibernian

Melkersen signed for Scottish club Hibernian in January 2022.[1] [2] [3] Melkersen's transfer was delayed due to work permit issues.[4] [5]

Melkersen and Norwegian compatriot Runar Hauge made their Hibernian debuts on 2 March 2022, both appearing as substitutes.[6] [7] [8] Following the match, and a later injury to Kevin Nisbet, Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney praised Melkersen's hard work and told him to 'step up' to first-team football.[9] On 13 March 2022, Melkersen scored a brace in his first start for Hibernian, both proving decisive in the club's 2–1 win in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals against Motherwell.[10] [11]

Melkersen moved on loan to Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam in January 2023.[12] He returned to Hibs at the end of the 2022 - 23 season, and made a few appearances early in the 2023 - 24 season before moving on loan to Strømsgodset.[13]

Stromsgodset

The loan at Strømsgodset was successful, as Melkersen scored four goals and their manager Jørgen Isnes said he wished to sign the player permanently.[14] A deal was agreed in December 2023, with the Norwegian club paying £1.2 million for the transfer.[15] [16] Melkersen signed a five-year contract with Strømsgodset.[17]

International career

Melkersen is a Norwegian youth international, representing them at under-17, under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels.[1] He made his debut at under-21 level in a goalless draw with Scotland in June 2023.[18]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bodø/Glimt 220184. divisjon1111
20193. divisjon134134
Total145145
Bodø/Glimt2019Eliteserien001010
2020000000
Total001010
Hødd (loan)20202. divisjon740074
Ranheim (loan)20211. divisjon2617322919
Hibernian2021–22Scottish Premiership1002200122
2022–23Scottish Premiership1300041171
2023–24Scottish Premiership1000002030
Total240224120323
Sparta Rotterdam (loan)2022–23Eredivisie200020
Strømsgodset (loan)2023Eliteserien12400124
Strømsgodset202411331144
Total23731268
Career total963395412011139

Notes and References

  1. News: Hibs sign Bodo/Glimt striker Melkersen. BBC Sport .
  2. Web site: Elias Hoff Melkersen hailed as Hibs transfer coup despite call up concern. Andrew. Newport. 8 January 2022. Daily Record.
  3. Web site: Elias Melkersen and Hibs' brave transfer call as mentor eyes Parkhead reunion. Ben. Banks. 11 January 2022. Daily Record.
  4. Web site: Elias Melkersen forced to wait to make Hibs debut amid work permit woes. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  5. Web site: Elias Melkersen gets Hibs green light as Norwegian striker's work permit is sorted. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  6. Web site: Maloney hails Hauge and Melkersen as Hibs boss calls for more from his young team. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  7. Web site: Elias Melkersen reflects on 'amazing' Hibs debut as he discusses adapting to Scottish football. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  8. Web site: Elias Melkersen admits Hibs debut 'goosebumps'. Ross. Pilcher. 3 March 2022. footballscotland.
  9. Web site: Melkersen urged to step up for Hibs in Nisbet's absence a Maloney hails striker's hard work. www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  10. Web site: Elias Melkersen has dream first Hibs start as Bevis Mugabi's first-minute red card sets tone for dramatic Scottish Cup tie. www.scotsman.com.
  11. Web site: Motherwell 1–2 Hibernian. bbc.co.uk. 13 March 2022. 13 March 2022.
  12. Web site: Hibs forward Elias Melkersen joins Sparta Rotterdam on six-month loan . Peter . Cassidy . STV Sport . 16 January 2023 . 16 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Elias Melkersen: Hibs forward joins Stromsgodset on loan . BBC Sport . 14 August 2023 . 15 August 2023.
  14. Web site: Senket Odd og Viking – nå vil Godset beholde spisstalentet . NRK Oslo and Viken . www.nrk.no . Norwegian . Anders Wam . Bjerkeseth . 2 November 2023 . 17 November 2023.
  15. Web site: Elias Melkersen: Hibernian sell striker to Stromsgodset for more than £1m . BBC Sport . 8 December 2023 . 9 December 2023.
  16. News: Hibs turn huge profit on forward flop as youngster exits in £1 million-plus deal . Edinburgh Evening News . John . Greechan . 8 December 2023 . 9 December 2023.
  17. Web site: Signed long-term contract: Melkersen becomes SIF player! . Strømsgodset . 8 December 2023 . 9 December 2023 . Norwegian.
  18. News: International involvement for Hibs pair Elias Melkersen and Rocky Bushiri . Edinburgh Evening News . 16 June 2023 . 16 June 2023 . Patrick . McPartlin.