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“I didn’t have to think twice” – Nyland on his return
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- “I didn’t have to think twice” – Nyland on his return
"I didn't have to think twice" – Nyland on his return
His German is still as good as ever. His belongings in Spain are packed. And when the chance to return to Leipzig comes along, Ørjan Nyland doesn't need long to decide.
"I've got so many great memories of my time here," says the 35-year-old. "When this opportunity came up, I didn't have to think twice."
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Three years after his first spell at RBL, the Norwegian is back– this time with his family, plenty of LaLiga experience and fresh from a World Cup run that had his country gripped.
"Those personal connections matter to me"
It may be several years since Ørjan's first spell with the Red Bulls, but he never lost touch with Leipzig. He remained in regular contact with goalkeeping coach Freddy Gößling throughout his time in Seville.He's also close to Antonio Nusa , his Norway teammate and good friend.
So when a return to Leipzig became a genuine possibility after the World Cup, Ørjan picked up the phone. Three or four days before coming back, he spoke to Toni at length, asked plenty of questions and got the latest on the club.
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"We had a really good chat. I'm really looking forward to seeing him again," says Ørjan. "We had a fantastic summer together and now we're hoping we can enjoy success together in Leipzig too."
Ørjan won't be short of Scandinavian company in the dressing room either. Emil Forsbergand Yussuf Poulsenwere there during his first spell at RBL, while this time he'll have Toni and Danish striker Conrad Harder alongside him – and no doubt a little Norwegian will be spoken too.
Back for the big occasions
Part of Ørjan's excitement about returning comes from what lies ahead on the pitch.He gained valuable experience in Spain, playing in both LaLiga and the Champions League. Those are exactly the kind of nights he still wants to be part of.
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"There's something about the big games at the highest level that brings the best out of me," says the goalkeeper. "That's the kind of challenge I want. RBL are back in the Champions League and want to compete at the top – I'm really looking forward to it."
He knows exactly what he wants to bring to the team.Nyland arrives as an experienced player who wants to take responsibility and help the group. It's an attitude he also associates with Pete, whose career in Leipzig he followed for many years.
"Pete achieved so much here. He was a leader, a captain and someone who helped shape the club,"says the Norwegian. The two spoke before their respective moves, with one heading to Spain and the other returning from there.
A game he'll never forget
The World Cup naturally brings out the most emotion.Norway qualified for the tournament for the first time in 28 years and went all the way to the quarter-finals, with Ørjan at the heart of their run.
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"The whole experience was incredible,"he says. "Had someone told us beforehand that we'd reach the quarter-finals, we'd all have taken it straight away."
One game stands above all the others: the last-16 meeting with Brazil. Ørjan saved a penalty, made several more outstanding stops and helped Norway claim a historic 2-1 victory.
He still gets goosebumps when he thinks about it.
"I think it was the best game of my career,"says the experienced goalkeeper. "To produce a performance like that against Brazil at a World Cup was incredibly special. I'll never forget it."
A whole nation joins in
Norway's World Cup run captured imaginations far beyond the country's borders. Supporters performed the rowing celebration in the stands, videos spread around the world and more and more fans pulled on a Norway shirt.
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More than 100,000 peoplewelcomed the team home after the tournament. For Nyland, however, even that wasn't the most rewarding result of their World Cup success.
"I received lots of messages from children saying they wanted to become goalkeepers,"he says. "That was such a lovely thing to hear and it made me really happy."
Ørjan spent the first few days after the tournament signing autographs and posing for photos.Only then did things slowly begin to settle down. Time with his family helped him switch off, although he did watch the Brazil game back once or twice.
Golf, lasagne and a new family chapter
Ørjan also has a few talents away from the pitch.Anyone who was at the 2023 training camp in Abu Dhabi will know he's hard to beat on the golf course.
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He's also discovered another passion in recent years.Since the pandemic, the Norwegian has spent much more time in the kitchen. What ends up on the table, however, is often decided by his children.
One favourite always goes down well: "A good lasagne is definitely up there."
Above all, his second spell in Leipzig will be more of a family affair than the first. Back then, Ørjan was often alone in the city. This time, his family are moving with him. Finding a house, choosing a school and settling in together – he's looking forward to all of it.
"I can't wait"
Ørjan won't need long to settle back in on the pitch. His break was long enough, he says. He feels fit and has gone straight into team training in Saalfelden.
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"I want to get involved straight away and give everything for the club," says Nyland. "I'm looking forward to being with the players and staff, and I can't wait to get going again."
He also has a clear message for the RBL supporters:
"Thank you so much for all the fantastic messages and for welcoming me back. I'm delighted to be a Red Bull again. I'll do everything I can to help us succeed together, and I can't wait to see you all again."
Welcome back, Ørjan!
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