“I’m really excited. I'm ready to start a new adventure in the U.S. I have read and seen a lot from the League and the level seems to be really high, so I look forward to playing there.”
After three-and-a-half seasons with Danish Superliga’s Odense Boldklub (OB), attacker Emil Larsen is heading to the U.S. and MLS to join Columbus Crew SC.
At 24 years old, the midfielder is ready for a change as he recognizes a league on the rise and an established club presenting a new opportunity in his evolving career. Plus, he knows exceptional supporters when he sees them.
“For me, the League seems to get stronger every year, so it’s really cool to get on the train now,” he says. “I have seen that Columbus has really great fans and I hope to entertain them with goals and assists.”
Since the start of his professional career at age 18 with Lyngby Boldklub, Larsen’s demonstrated his value on offense. He led the Danish second division in scoring with 11 goals, helping his club to a second-place finish and promotion in the 2009-10 season. He also dished out five assists in his 27 matches (22 starts) with Lyngby.
Larsen again emerged on the scoresheet after joining OB, putting away 17 goals and 13 assists in 108 total matches. Appearing on both wings and even in a more attacking role at center forward or offensive midfield, he’s proven versatile and effective.
Larsen says he’s happy in whichever position Crew SC Sporting Direction & Head Coach Gregg Berhalter sees him.
“I have spoken a lot with the coach and we talk about the way of playing, but I see myself as a left winger—that is where I’m best—but I can also play the offensive midfielder,” he says. “But at the end of the day, Gregg decides where I play and I will give the best.”
Adapting to Columbus’ playing style is the Denmark native’s top priority. His high-level experience could make the transition to a new club and league easier.
Larsen has earned seven caps playing for the Danish national team, including two FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Italy and Malta. He earned his most recent cap on March 5, 2014 in an international friendly against England at Wembley Stadium—an experience he cites as his favorite soccer memory of all time.
“The fact that I’ve played against big teams like Italy and England, big players, good players, has given me a good experience for life; and at the same time I know what it takes to play against top players and teams,” he says.
Larsen made his debut for Denmark's senior team at just 21 years old in an international friendly against Turkey. Not even a year later, he registered two assists in Denmark’s 6-0 rout of Malta.
“It’s always an honor to play for your country and that was a big dream for me; and if you also perform well, it’s a big satisfaction,” he says. “And of course, I hope that my performance for Columbus maybe could bring me back on the national team.”
With Berhalter as his new coach, another call-up to the Danish national team is conceivable. In the span of a year, 13 Crew SC players earned international call-ups to the youth or senior level under the direction of the Black & Gold boss.
But for now Larsen’s attention turns to Columbus. Larsen departs from OB midseason, having played his last Superliga match before the winter break on December 6, coincidentally the same date the Black & Gold closed out their 2015 campaign. So in regards to fitness and recovery, Larsen should be on the same page as his new teammates.
“It’s really important, what I see, that I start the season together with my new teammates so I can get a full preseason with the team to learn how they play and they can see how I play,” he says.
Once the new group gets accustomed, Larsen can begin executing his aspirations for his first season in Columbus.
“I expect to entertain the Black & Gold fans with goals and assists and dribbles, and of course, to help the team go into playoffs again.”
