Ole Selnæs

Norwegian footballer (born 1994) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ole Kristian Selnæs (born 7 July 1994) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays for Norwegian club Rosenborg as a defensive midfielder. Between 2015 and 2019, he made 32 appearances for the Norway national team scoring twice. He is the son of former Rosenborg goalkeeper Ivar Selnæs.[1]

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...
Ole Selnæs
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Personal information
Full name Ole Kristian Selnæs
Date of birth (1994-07-07) 7 July 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Trondheim, Norway
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
Rosenborg
Number 10
Youth career
Skjetten SK
–2009 Sverresborg
2009–2012 Rosenborg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Rosenborg 87 (4)
2016–2019 Saint-Étienne 75 (0)
2019–2022 Shenzhen FC 45 (4)
2021Hebei FC (loan) 14 (1)
2022–2023 Zürich 16 (0)
2023– Rosenborg 31 (1)
International career
2010 Norway U16 10 (2)
2011 Norway U17 12 (0)
2011–2012 Norway U18 7 (0)
2012–2013 Norway U19 11 (1)
2013–2016 Norway U21 8 (0)
2015–2019 Norway 32 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 November 2019
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Club career

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Perspective

Early career

Selnæs was born in Trondheim,[2] but lived in Lillestrøm when his father Ivar Selnæs was head coach of Skjetten SK[3] and he was playing in the youth department of the same club. His family later moved back to Trondheim, with Selnæs joining Sverresborg IF.

Rosenborg

When Selnæs joined Rosenborg in 2009, he was earmarked for his accurate left foot and good knowledge of the game, which allowed him to develop as a defensive midfielder.[2]

In 2011, he was heavily involved in the Rosenborg under-19 side that won the national championship[4] and gained third place in their NextGen Series group.[5] Despite still being barely known from outside the club,[6] he was being recognised internally with an integral part of the first team's 2012 pre-season.[7] His impressive pre-season was rewarded when, on 25 March, he signed a professional contract.[8]

He started the season as back-up to the midfield pair of Mohammed-Awal Issah and Markus Henriksen,[9] but soon became first choice beside Henriksen.[10] His professional debut came against Lillestrøm on 1 April 2012, when he came on as a late substitute for Issah.[11] The next week, he made his first start at home to Sogndal.[12]

After four league matches he was named the biggest talent in Scandinavia by the web-site scan-scout.com,[13][14] which did not surprise Rosenborg's head coach Jan Jönsson: "He has developed very fast, but I'm not surprised."[15]

Selnæs was a regular in Rosenborg's midfield during the first half of the 2012 season, but lost his place in the starting line-up due to an injury. After his recovery, Rosenborg had bought Tarik Elyounoussi, Cristian Gamboa and Jaime Alas and Selnæs' chances were limited. But he stated in an interview with NRK in September 2012 that "I am only 19 years old and have plenty of time, and will work hard to get more chances for the first-team".[16]

Saint Etienne

Selnæs joined AS Saint-Étienne on 31 January 2016.[17]

Shenzhen

On 9 February 2019, Selnæs transferred to Super League newcomer Shenzhen.[18]

Zürich

On 24 June 2022, Selnæs signed a one-year deal with Zürich in Switzerland.[19] His first goal scored with his new team was an own goal in the match against Glimt in UEFA Europa League the 15 september 2022.[20]

International career

Selnæs represented his country from under-16 to under-21 youth level.[21]

As of February 2021, he made 32 appearances for the senior national team.[21]

Personal life

Selnæs is a big fan of Norwegian soap opera Hotel Cæsar, and in an interview with Adresseavisen in March 2012 he stated that he would love to play a role in the show.[22] Two months later he was offered a small speaking role in the TV series.[23]

Career statistics

Club

As of 13 April 2025[24][10]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Division League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rosenborg 2012 Tippeligaen 221408[c]0341
2013 190723[c]0292
2014 211206[c]0291
2015 2523014[c]0422
Total 8741623101346
Saint-Étienne 2015–16 Ligue 1 30200050
2016–17 26010109[c]0370
2017–18 2602010290
2018–19 2000000200
Total 750502090910
Shenzhen 2019 Chinese Super League 27400274
2020 18010190
Total 45410464
Hebei (loan) 2021 Chinese Super League 14100141
Zürich 2022–23 Swiss Super League 16010120290
Rosenborg 2023 Eliteserien 90000090
2024 2213000251
2025 00100010
Total 31140351
Career total 270102722052035112
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International

As of match played on 15 October 2019[25]
More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Norway 201690
201751
201891
201990
Total322
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Scores and results list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Selnæs goal.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Ole Selnæs[24]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
15 October 2017San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino San Marino6–08–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
213 October 2018Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway Slovenia1–01–02018–19 UEFA Nations League C
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Honours

Rosenborg

Individual

References

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