Håvard Nielsen (born 15 July 1993) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a forward for 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96. He played for the Norway national team.
Born in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, Nielsen grew up in the outer-city neighborhood of Oppsal. He began his career with the local club Oppsal IF, but signed for Vålerenga in 2007, when he was 14 years old.[1]
On 5 October 2009, he made his debut in the Norwegian Premier League against Viking as the youngest ever Vålerenga player. In January 2011, he signed a three-year professional contract with Vålerenga.[2]
At the age of 18, Nielsen was already an experienced player and on 11 July 2012, he scored his first hat-trick for Vålerenga in the match against Odd Grenland.
In July 2012, he signed a deal with Red Bull Salzburg. In January 2014, he went on loan to the German Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig.[3] On 26 January 2014 he made his debut in the German first tier, in a game against Werder Bremen.[4] The loan deal ended in June 2015 when he returned to Salzburg.
In winter 2015 Nielsen moved to SC Freiburg.[5]
In July 2017, after 1.5 seasons at Freiburg, Nielsen signed a three-year contract with 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf.[6]
He was loaned to MSV Duisburg on 8 January 2019.[7]
On 26 July 2019, Nielsen joined 2. Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth, signing a two-year contract.[8]
Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Nielsen joined 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96 on a two-year contract.[9]
Nielsen has played for a national team above his age since he was 16. He played all matches during the 2011 European Under-19 Championship qualification and scored one goal, when Norway advanced to the elite qualification.
Nielsen made his debut for the senior Norwegian national team in 2012 as a teenager and since then he has played 11 times for the Norway national team and he is now a regular for Norway. He scored his first international goal for Norway at only 19 years of age, in November 2012, against Hungary in a friendly match. He scored his second goal for Norway in October 2014, in a European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria.