Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen on a season-long loan from Spanish club Celta Vigo.
Strand Larsen becomes Wolves’ third signing of the summer transfer window, after Tommy Doyle and Rodrigo Gomes. His move will automatically become permanent until 2029 should certain clauses be triggered.
See: Summer 2024 transfers & news
"It’s one of the best days in my life," he told the club website. "It’s been a dream to come to the Premier League ever since I was a kid. I’ve been following it for a long time, but it has to be in the right moment, and it feels like now is a good moment for me to do it.
"I’m a tall player, but I’m not only physical and be there to hold up the ball, I can also run and, most importantly, I fight for the team. I give everything 100 per cent. If I have to lose three teeth in a game, then I will do it."
Let's gø! 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/9y474eCyZl
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 2, 2024
Strand Larsen will wear the No 9 shirt, and he added: "To be wearing that No 9 is a huge moment for me and there have been many, many No 9s here. The last one was [Raul] Jimenez and he was amazing here.
“I’m really proud to take that number, but I understand that it comes with a lot of hard work, expectation, and important games for me to play, but I’m really looking forward to it and I’m really going to give my everything, and it’s going to be an amazing season, I hope.”
Who is Strand Larsen?
Strand Larsen, 24, was born in Halden, Norway. Standing 6ft 4in tall, he can play across the frontline but is primarily a striker.
He started his career with Sarpsborg 08 in his native country and spent a period on loan with AC Milan’s youth team in 2017/18 before making his name with Groningen in the Netherlands.
Following two promising seasons with the Dutch side, Larsen transferred to Celta Vigo in August 2022. After a quiet first campaign, he shone last season with 13 goals and three assists in 37 LaLiga matches.
Strand Larsen has made 14 senior appearances for Norway and has scored three goals, most recently against Scotland in a 3-3 draw in a UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier.
Compared to Haaland
In his homeland, Strand Larsen has drawn comparisons with fellow countryman Erling Haaland due to his tall stature and ability to score goals inside the box.
“I’m very excited, and hopefully I can score here against him and can win 1-0!" Strand Larsen said of Haaland, who has won the Premier League Golden Boot in successive seasons since moving to Manchester City.
"That’s one of my goals for sure, but he’s an amazing player and I’m lucky to play with him in the national team, and hopefully we will meet a lot of times in the Premier League.
“I spoke to a few of my Norway team-mates before I signed and we have a good connection in the national team and I have a few friends there who are quite stars in the Premier League, so we talked a little bit about it."
2024/25 preparations
Wolves fans could see their new striker make his Premier League debut against Arsenal on the opening day of the season.
Their first pre-season friendly ahead of 2024/25 is against West Ham United in the United States on 27 July.
