Jimmy Nielsen facts for kids
Nielsen in 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 August 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Aalborg, Denmark | ||
| Height | 1.91 m | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1989–1992 | Norwich City | ||
| B52/Aalborg FC | |||
| –1994 | AaB | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1994–1995 | Millwall | 0 | (0) |
| 1995–2007 | AaB | 342 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Leicester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2008–2010 | Vejle | 63 | (0) |
| 2010–2013 | Sporting Kansas City | 128 | (0) |
| Total | 533 | (0) | |
| National team | |||
| 1994–1997 | Denmark U19 | 11 | (0) |
| 1997–1999 | Denmark U21 | 17 | (0) |
| 1999–2003 | Denmark League XI | 4 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2014–2017 | Oklahoma City Energy | ||
| 2019 | Hartford Athletic | ||
| 2022 | Houston Dynamo (assistant) | ||
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Jimmy Nielsen (born August 6, 1977) is a Danish former football player. He was a talented goalkeeper, known for his skills in stopping goals.
He played many games for the Danish team AaB Fodbold and even won the Danish Superliga championship with them in 1999. Jimmy was recognized as the Danish Goalkeeper of the Year twice, in 1998 and 2004.
Contents
Playing Career
Early Years in Europe
Jimmy Nielsen started his football journey with Norwich City when he was just 12 years old. He was discovered when Norwich City's youth team visited Aalborg for a tournament. Their goalkeeper got sick, and Jimmy stepped in to help.
He played for Norwich City until he was 15. He was offered a professional contract, but his mother did not want him to move to England permanently. After this, he joined a local amateur club called B 52/Aalborg FC. He then played youth football for AaB Fodbold.
In 1994, Jimmy signed with the English club Millwall F.C.. However, he did not play any games for them. He soon moved back to Denmark and joined AaB Fodbold in 1995. He made his first senior team appearance in 1996 and quickly became their main goalkeeper. Jimmy was a key player for AaB, helping them win the 1998–99 Danish Superliga championship.
In 2007, Jimmy signed with Leicester City. But he did not play any games for this club either. He decided to leave in January 2008. The very next day, he signed a contract with another Danish team, Vejle Boldklub. After the 2009 season, Jimmy almost retired from football when Vejle Boldklub was moved down from the Danish Superliga.
Playing in Major League Soccer
In February 2010, Jimmy Nielsen moved to the United States to play for Major League Soccer team Sporting Kansas City. He had a conversation with the team's coach, Peter Vermes, and decided to join. After his first season, Jimmy said he wanted to stay with the club for a few more years.
In 2011, Jimmy signed an extension to his contract, keeping him with Sporting Kansas City through the 2013 season. He received the 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. He set a new club record by allowing only 0.79 goals per game. He also helped his team finish first in their division.
Jimmy retired after the 2013 season. He ended his playing career by winning the MLS Cup with Sporting Kansas City. He even played the MLS Cup final game with broken ribs, showing his dedication!
International Matches
Jimmy Nielsen played for Denmark's national youth teams. In 1999, while with the Denmark national under-21 football team, Jimmy and two teammates broke team rules during an outing. Because of this, they were not allowed to join national team practices for several years. This event earned Jimmy the nickname Casino-Jimmy.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Jimmy Nielsen became a football coach.
He was named the head coach of OKC Energy FC in the United Soccer League. He coached them from 2014 to 2017.
In 2019, Jimmy joined Hartford Athletic as their head coach for their first season. However, he and the club decided to part ways at the end of that year.
In 2022, Jimmy Nielsen joined the coaching staff of Houston Dynamo FC as an assistant coach. He left this role later that year.
Honours and Awards
Jimmy Nielsen achieved many great things during his career:
- AaB
- Danish Superliga: 1998–99
- Sporting Kansas City
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 2012
- MLS Cup: 2013
- MLS Eastern Conference (playoff winner): 2013
- MLS Eastern Conference (regular season winner): 2010, 2012
- Individual Awards
- MLS All-Star: 2010, 2012
- MLS Best XI: 2012 (This means he was chosen as one of the best 11 players in the league)
- MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2012
- Sporting Kansas City Most Valuable Player: 2011, 2012
- Danish Goalkeeper of the Year: 1998, 2004
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Nielsen para niños
