Fulham have announced the signing of Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit on loan from German side TSG Hoffenheim until the end of the season.
A club statement read:
"The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Håvard Nordtveit on loan from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim until 30th June 2019.
A versatile player who can operate at centre-back or in midfield, 28-year-old Nordtveit adds further Premier League experience to the Fulham squad, having spent a season with West Ham United.
Nordtveit had his first taste of senior football in his native Norway in August 2006 when he became FK Haugesund’s youngest ever player at the age of 16.
A year later – having been personally scouted by Arsene Wenger – Nordtveit joined Arsenal, and during four years as a Gunners player took in loan spells with UD Salamanca, Lillestrøm SK and FC Nürnberg.
After impressing during his season on loan in Germany, he returned to the Bundesliga six months later when he agreed a permanent transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
During his five full seasons at the club, Mönchengladbach secured three top four finishes, peaking when they ended the 2014/15 campaign in third place, and he then featured in all six of their UEFA Champions League matches the following term.
After making 187 appearances – in which time he scored 12 goals and laid on a further 11 assists – Nordtveit returned to London when Slaven Bilic signed him for West Ham.
In his sole season with the Irons, Nordtveit made 21 appearances in all competitions as they secured an 11th place finish in the Premier League.
He then moved back to Germany in a big money deal, helping Hoffenheim to a third place Bundesliga finish in his maiden season with the club, and he departs having appeared for them 34 times.
Nordtveit made his senior international debut for Norway aged 20 in a 1-0 win over Lithuania in 2011, in a side captained by Brede Hangeland and which also featured John Arne and Bjorn Helge Riise. Nordtveit now has 45 caps and two goals to his name.
Speaking to fulhamfc.com, Nordtveit said: “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to come back to the Premier League and hopefully help Fulham to a safe place. That would be a something that I would put high on my list in my career.
“The situation Fulham is in now, it’s more or less the same that Borussia Mönchengladbach was in when I went to them from Arsenal. They were down the bottom of the table, a much worse situation, eight points off a safe place, and we made it. It’s a feeling that I want again because it’s a feeling you can’t get anywhere else, just on a football pitch.
“I haven’t spoken to Brede about coming here but he is a good friend of mine. Of course, nothing would make me more happy than if I could fill half of his boots. He had a great career here. That’s a guy to look up to. Hopefully, I can make some good moments, like he did in a Fulham shirt.”
Tony Khan added: “Havard is a talented defender, he’s versatile and intelligent, has extensive international and top-tier league experience, and he comes recommended as an excellent teammate.
“His scouting profile and his data profile are both excellent, and he arrives with the support of our Manager. I believe this is a smart loan for Fulham, and we look forward to welcoming Havard to our squad. Come on Fulham!”