Larsen seals Schalke switch
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Article summary
FC Schalke 04 have completed the signing of Danish striker Søren Larsen from Djurgårdens IF for €2.3m.
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Prolific rise
The 23-year-old forward has signed a four-year deal with the German UEFA Champions League hopefuls, just over a year after moving to Sweden from Brøndby IF. Following a disappointing first season ruined by groin injury, he has been a revelation this campaign, scoring ten goals in 14 games to help Djurgården open a three-point lead atop the Allsvenskan.
'Golden chance'
Those performances alerted Denmark coach Morten Olsen, and after an impressive substitute appearance against Finland, Larsen started the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Albania, where he stole the show with two goals in a 3-1 win. By now Schalke were also expressing an interest and today's deal completes a two-month pursuit. "It's taken a long time," Larsen said, "but I'm obviously thrilled. This is a golden chance for me."