The glamour life of football can take a switch fast if not playing regularly in the first team or getting a serious injury at a young age, what happened to Dag Alexander Olsen.
Olsen now 29 years of age has as so many wonderkids before and after him experienced life unfair and not being what is should be when doors close as you slide in form or getting problems with serious injuries.
Olsen who was in the Tottenham academy and seen as a very special talent, moved to Valencia eight years ago, and his career looked promising. He was part of the future plans of todays Arsenal manager Unai Emery.
Olsen was clearly seen as a potential first teamer with the Spaniards, and was supposed to line-up alongside David Villa in his debut, but just as this came close he injured himself and a nightmare with no return started a seven year battle with problems.
First it was this achilles problem appearing while at Valencia, with doctors using cortisone to heal the problem, but it became worse and the long rest of 22 months stopped his progression and finally he decided to quit the Spanish club and their b-team, and instead try his luck back in Norway.
Odd Skien, a top flight club in Norway took their chance and brought the young player back from life in Spain and England, making it possible to for the first time to play first team football at the highest level, even if it was back in Norway.
The stay at Odd became a short one, playing only a handfull of games but in those 13 league appearances he scored 8 goals, which is not bad at all. Why he suddenly decided to move back to Spain and try his luck with Castellon, the story says nothing about.
The pacey winger / attacker made another return to Norway in 2013, trying his luck with Fredrikstad, and again a number of goals were scored. 8 goals in 45 games, but new injuries stopped the progression and his life in football was to end as he decided to make a total break and go into retirement.
He had said that he would never work for his dad, that he would never return to his previous team Gjovik-Lyn, and not again live in Raufoss. But that is what 29 year old Olsen is doing at the moment. Despite being a bit slower than what he was before, he feels fine and is ready to yet again move for a chance to play a higher level.
The story is one to remember and not every footballers dream end with a Champions League medal around your head or playing at the highest level season after season. Dag Alexander Olsen is a true example of one not really having the luck that you need to be a top professional footballer.
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