Frank Strandli


Frank Strandli is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

Strandli was recognised as a fast and physically strong striker. After success in IK Start, he signed for league champions Leeds United in early 1993 and scored on his debut, coming off the bench against Middlesbrough. However, he would score just one more goal and make just 15 further appearances for the Elland Road club.
Within months of arriving in England, he returned to his native Norway to play for IK Start on loan from May to July 1993, and in 1994 he was loaned to SK Brann, signing a permanent deal ahead of the 1995 season. After this earned success in Lillestrøm SK, scoring 15 times in 38 league games. This earned him a move to the Greek top club Panathinaikos.
His last professional club was AaB before he was forced to retire due to a groin injury. During his injury spell he received guidance from mental coach Christian M. Larsen. The coaching techniques Strandli learned at this stage of his career is believed to have helped him come back from injury. He made a return in 2009 with fellow footballer Andreas Lund when both joined FC Lund, a club in the Norwegian sixth tier as a central defender.

International career

Strandli played 24 matches for the Norway national team, thus being one cap away from earning the Norwegian Football Association Gold Watch.

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
115 January 1994Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, United States1–01–2Friendly
22 June 1996Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway4–05–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
325 February 1998Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France1–03–3Friendly