Nicolay Solberg had an excellent 2016 season for Ull/Kisa and was arguably their best player over the course of the year. Now, the forward is out of contract and on the lookout for another club. Surely a good OBOS Ligaen or Tippeligaen side will sign him up?
(Photo: Digital Sports)
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Having suffered through two years of injury hell, Solberg made his first steps back into the OBOS Ligaen with Ull/Kisa last season. He managed 11 goals & 7 assists in his 28 games for the side, performing to an extremely high standard whilst his team fought against relegation. Solberg played as a striker for large stretches of the season whilst Ull/Kisa dealt with unfortunate injuries to Ole Kristian Langas and Espen Standal. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>After this great season with Ull/Kisa, Solberg is now looking to make the step up to the Eliteserien next season; >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>“I am happy with the fact that I am the midfielder with the largest goals & assists total in the OBOS Ligaen last season.” Solberg said. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>“I have had some offers that I have refused for next year. My wish is to play in the Eliteserien.”>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Solberg’s last appearance in Norway’s top flight came in 2011, when he made 11 appearances for Lillestrom. Some will question whether Solberg would be able to play Eliteserien football so soon after such a long time out of the professional game, but with a great record of 27 goals in 71 OBOS Ligaen games, the 25 year old definitely has the skills to succeed in the top flight. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>“My goals are to play at the best level, to play the best football and to have teammates who want to achieve the same things as me. Next season my hope is to play with a team who matches these goals. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Whether it is OBOS Ligaen or Eliteserien I do not know. I hope to achieve great things with whatever team I am playing for and on a personal level get lots of goals and assists for the club. My dream is to play out in Europe one day.”>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>It is surprising that top OBOS Ligaen sides such as Fredrikstad have not yet made a move to sign Solberg, especially after his impressive stint at the club pre-injury. Fredrikstad are absolutely crying out for a goalscoring winger and Solberg fits that description perfectly. He would be a huge upgrade on Mos N’Diaye at least.>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>As for the question of whether he is ready for Eliteserien football, there is no doubt in my mind after last season that Solberg is ready to make the step up. With many top division sides now employing variants of a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation, there is a big opportunity for Solberg to challenge for either wing position in these systems.>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Realistically, Solberg may not be ready for top Eliteserien such as Molde or Odd right now, but he is more than capable of performing to a high level in teams such as Lillestrom or Sogndal who may be looking to better their Eliteserien performances in 2017. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>I am sure that if a move to the Eliteserien does materialise, Solberg will have to be patient and wait for his chance. There are not many sides in the top flight where Solberg would be expected to walk into the starting XI. >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Fotball Kanalen also spoke to Fredrik Krogstad of Lillestrom, who played with Solberg for Ull/Kisa last season;>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>“I am pretty sure that he could play in the Eliteserien. He has many strong attributes and 11 goals which was very impressive for Ull/Kisa last season.>
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>When it comes to a club what he could play for, I am sure that he could play as a winger in most 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formations, Nico is also flexible and can play as a striker. Stabaek, Kristiansund or Lillestrom could be a good fit for him.” >
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style=»font-weight: 400;»>Any move for Solberg may be seen as a gamble by those who did not watch the player last season, but for those who did see Solberg at Ull/Kisa, it is clear that the ability he had as a player a few years ago has not diminished post-injury. The next few weeks could well see a big move on the cards for the forward.>
Ben Wells
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