Kasper Schmeichel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kasper Schmeichel

Schmeichel in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(1986-11-05) 5 November 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Copenhagen, Denmark
Height	1.89 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Celtic
Number	1
Youth career
2000–2001	Estoril
2001–2002	Oure
2002–2006	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2009	Manchester City	8	(0)
2006	→ Darlington (loan)	4	(0)
2006	→ Bury (loan)	29	(0)
2007	→ Falkirk (loan)	15	(0)
2007–2008	→ Cardiff City (loan)	14	(0)
2008	→ Coventry City (loan)	9	(0)
2009–2010	Notts County	43	(0)
2010–2011	Leeds United	37	(0)
2011–2022	Leicester City	414	(0)
2022–2023	Nice	36	(0)
2023–2024	Anderlecht	31	(0)
2024–	Celtic	23	(0)
National team‡
2004–2005	Denmark U19	8	(0)
2006	Denmark U20	1	(0)
2007–2008	Denmark U21	17	(0)
2013–	Denmark	111	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:09, 14 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:04, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Kasper Peter Schmeichel (born 5 November 1986) is a Danish professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for the Scottish club Celtic and the Denmark national team.

Kasper started his career at Manchester City. He then played for several clubs on loan, like Darlington and Bury. Later, he joined Notts County and Leeds United.

He is best known for his 11 years at Leicester City. During this time, he helped the club win the Premier League in 2016. This was a huge surprise for many football fans! He also won the FA Cup in 2021 with Leicester. After Leicester, he played for Nice and Anderlecht. In 2024, he joined Celtic.

Kasper has also played many games for the Danish national team. He has represented his country in major tournaments like the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2020.

Who is Kasper Schmeichel?

Kasper Schmeichel is a famous football goalkeeper from Denmark. He is known for his quick reflexes and strong saves. His father, Peter Schmeichel, was also a very famous goalkeeper for Manchester United and Denmark. This makes them the only father and son to both win the Premier League playing in the same position!

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Growing Up and School

Kasper Schmeichel was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 5 November 1986. His mother is Bente, and his father is the legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. Kasper has some Polish family history through his father's side.

He spent his early years in Denmark. But because his dad played football in different countries, Kasper lived most of his childhood in England. He speaks both Danish and English fluently. He even has a Mancunian accent, which is from Manchester, England! He went to school in England and also in Portugal when his father played there.

Starting Football Young

Kasper began playing organized football in Portugal in 2000. This was when his dad was playing for Sporting CP. He played for one season in the youth team of Estoril and even won a championship.

He said that when he was very young, football wasn't his main interest. It only became more serious when he was about 12 or 13 years old. In 2001, Kasper moved back to Denmark. He went to a special school called Oure Efterskole. There, he met a coach who helped him want to become an even better goalkeeper. After trying out for some clubs, he joined Manchester City's youth academy.

Playing for Clubs

Manchester City and Early Loans

Kasper joined Manchester City in September 2002. He signed a long-term contract that covered his time as a schoolboy, scholar, and professional player. Before playing for Manchester City's main team, he went on loan to other clubs to gain experience.

• In January 2006, he joined Darlington. He played his first professional game there.
• A month later, he was loaned to Bury, where he played 15 games. He returned to Bury for another three months the next season.
• In January 2007, he moved to Falkirk in Scotland. He played very well there, even saving a penalty against Celtic.

Schmeichel making a save while training with Bury in 2006

Kasper finally made his debut for Manchester City in August 2007. He even kept a clean sheet (meaning the other team didn't score) against their rivals, Manchester United. He also saved a penalty from Arsenal's Robin van Persie. He played well in his first few games, keeping four clean sheets. He signed a new four-year deal with City.

However, he was loaned out again to Cardiff City and then Coventry City. His father even said that Kasper was not happy at Manchester City and wanted to leave. His last game for Manchester City was in December 2008.

Schmeichel playing for Manchester City in 2007

Notts County Adventure

In August 2009, Kasper joined Notts County. This move brought him back with his old manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson. He quickly became a key player for the team.

He made his debut on 22 August and kept a clean sheet. His great performances earned him the Player of the Month award in October. Notts County had a fantastic season, conceding very few goals. Kasper helped them win the League Two title and get promoted. Even though he was a very important player, he left the club due to financial reasons.

Time at Leeds United

On 27 May 2010, Kasper signed a two-year contract with Leeds United. He became their first-choice goalkeeper. He made his debut on 7 August 2010 and played very well, making many important saves. His strong performances earned him the Sky Sports Championship Player of the Month award for August.

Schmeichel (in orange) playing for Leeds United in 2011

In January 2011, Kasper helped Leeds get a 1–1 draw against Arsenal in the FA Cup. Even the Arsenal captain praised his performance! He was named player of the FA Cup third round. However, his time at Leeds lasted only one season. He later said that moving to Leeds was not the right choice for him.

Leicester City Success Story

Schmeichel (rear) playing for Leicester City in 2011

On 27 June 2011, Kasper officially joined Leicester City. He signed a three-year deal, reuniting with his former manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, for the second time.

• First Seasons at Leicester (2011-2014)

Kasper quickly became a star player for Leicester. His manager even compared him to England's top goalkeeper, Joe Hart. He made some amazing saves, with one against Portsmouth being called "world-class." In his first season, he played 52 games and kept 17 clean sheets. He won the club's Player of the Year awards. In the 2012–13 season, he continued his great form, keeping 12 clean sheets in 28 games. He was even linked with big clubs like Real Madrid! He made his 100th appearance for Leicester in April 2013. His excellent play earned him a spot in the Championship PFA Team of the Year. In the 2013–14 season, he helped Leicester win promotion to the Premier League. He signed a new four-year contract with the club.

• Premier League Champions! (2015-2016)

Kasper remained Leicester's main goalkeeper when they returned to the Premier League. He played a key role in their famous 5–3 win against Manchester United. In December 2014, he broke his foot, but he came back strong. He helped Leicester avoid relegation at the end of the season.

The 2015–16 season was historic. Under manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester surprised everyone by leading the league. Kasper kept his 12th clean sheet of the season in March. On 2 May 2016, Leicester City won the Premier League title! Kasper was 29 years old, the same age his father was when he won his first Premier League title in 1993. This made them the only father and son to win the Premier League, both playing as goalkeepers.

Schmeichel taking a goal kick for Leicester City in 2016

• Champions League and Beyond (2016-2022)

After their amazing title win, Kasper signed a new five-year contract. He played in the FA Community Shield and the Champions League. In the Champions League, he saved a penalty in both games against Sevilla, helping Leicester reach the quarter-finals.

He continued to be a vital player for Leicester. In August 2018, he signed another new contract until 2023. He played in every Premier League game in the 2018–19 season. In the 2019–20 season, he kept 13 clean sheets.

On 15 May 2021, Kasper captained Leicester City to win the FA Cup for the first time in their history! He made two incredible saves in the final that helped his team win. The next season, on 7 August 2021, he captained Leicester to win the 2021 FA Community Shield against Manchester City. He also led Leicester to their first European semi-final in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Schmeichel with Leicester City in 2021

Moving to Nice and Anderlecht

On 3 August 2022, Kasper signed a three-year contract with the French club Nice. He made his debut on 14 August in a 1–1 draw. After one season, his contract with Nice ended in September 2023.

He then signed a one-year contract with the Belgian club Anderlecht on 5 September 2023. He played 31 games for them and left the club in July 2024.

Joining Celtic

On 18 July 2024, Kasper Schmeichel signed for the Scottish club Celtic. He joined on a one-year contract, which could be extended. This move meant he would work again with his former Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers.

He made his first game for Celtic on 4 August 2024, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win. In September, he achieved his fifth clean sheet in a row, matching a club record from 1906! In December 2024, he won the Scottish League Cup with Celtic, saving an important penalty in the shootout during the final against rivals Rangers. Celtic extended his contract until 2026 in January 2025.

Playing for Denmark

Youth Teams

Kasper was called up to the Denmark under-19 team in August 2004. He played eight games for them. He also played for the under-20 team. In October 2006, he was asked to train with the senior Denmark team.

He was a key player for the under-21 team. In November 2007, he was named Danish under-21 Talent of the Year. He played 17 games in a row for the under-21s, keeping seven clean sheets.

Senior National Team

Schmeichel signing autographs during a training session with Denmark in 2014

Kasper was first called up to the senior Danish team in May 2011. He was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2012. He made his senior debut in a friendly match against Macedonia on 6 February 2013.

In October 2013, he played his first senior game in Denmark, keeping a clean sheet in a 6–0 win against Malta. He also played against England at Wembley Stadium in 2014, making many impressive saves.

Kasper was chosen for the Danish squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played in all three group stage matches. In the first game, he kept a clean sheet and set a new record for minutes without letting in a goal for Denmark, beating his father's record! In the Round of 16 against Croatia, he saved a penalty during extra time and two penalties in the shootout.

In July 2021, in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2020 against England, Kasper saved a penalty from Harry Kane. However, Kane scored from the rebound, and England won the game. In November 2022, he was part of the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On 23 March 2024, he played his 100th international game for Denmark.

Family Life

Kasper Schmeichel is married to Stine Gyldenbrand. They have three children together: a son born in 2010, a daughter born in 2012, and another daughter born in 2021.

Career Numbers

Club

International

Awards and Achievements

Notts County

• Football League Two: 2009–10

Leicester City

• Premier League: 2015–16
• FA Cup: 2020–21
• FA Community Shield: 2021
• Football League Championship: 2013–14

Celtic

• Scottish League Cup: 2024–25

Individual

• Danish Football Player of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2020
• Danish Football Association's Award: 2015
• The Football League Team of the Decade
• PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10 League Two, 2012–13 Championship, 2013–14 Championship
• PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2009–10 League Two
• Football League Two Golden Glove: 2009–10
• Leicester City Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2016–17
• Leicester City Player's Player of the Season: 2011–12, 2016–17
• Leicester City Supporters' Club Player of the Season: 2011–12

See also

In Spanish: Kasper Schmeichel para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps