Name: Bjorn Helge Semundseth Riise
DoB: 21 June 1983
POB: Álesund, Norway
Height: 5ft 9inch
Debut: 15/02/2011 vs. Reading (sub)
Clubs: Hessa (youth, 2000), Alesund (2000-03), Standard Liége (trial, 2003), Standard Liége (2003-04), Brussels (loan, 2004-05), Lillestrom (2005-09), Fulham (2009-??), Sheffield United (loan, 2011).
Riise was signed by Nicky Adams on loan from Fulham until the end of the season on 14th February and made his debut a day later as a substitute in 1-1 draw at home to Reading in the npower Championship.
He had initially started his career in Norway with local club Alesund, during which time he was linked with several clubs – including Manchester City and Cardiff City, though deals never materialised and the winger almost gave up professional football as a result.
After a successful two game trial with Standard Liége he opted to sign a three year deal with the Belgium club, but after just one year with the Reds he was shipped out on a seasons long loan to Brussels, where following the end of his deal he was; according to newspapers subject to transfer talks with Brussels and Brann.
However he moved back to Norway with much respected Lillestrom and would spend four happy years with the Canaries – winning the Norwegian Cup in 2007 and UEFA Intertoto Cup Runners-Up a year earlier.
In July 2009 he finally moved to England – signing a three year deal with Fulham after they paid a reported £2,000,000 for the winger. He teamed up with fellow Norwegians Brede Hangeland and Erik Nevland at Craven Cottage.
Bjorn made his Fulham debut in the Europa League against Lithuanian side FK Vétra; replacing Zoltan Gera in the second half and went onto feature heavily throughout the season under Roy Hodgson.
The following season Hodgson was head hunted by Liverpool with former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes taking charge – it was under ‘Sparky’ that he found first team opportunities limited and in February 2011 opted to leave the club on loan.
He joined struggling Sheffield United who were sitting in the bottom three of the Championship; making his debut against Reading and played a full 90 minutes in the following match – a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Internationally the midfielder has gained 16 Under-21 caps for Norway and 27 full caps to date; he made his first full international appearance during a 2008 European Qualifier against Malta (4-0 and scored his only goal against Boznia and Herzegovina.
He is also the younger brother of former Liverpool and AS Roma defender John Arne Riise.
Updated: February 2010