Thorstein Helstad


Thorstein Helstad is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a centre-forward. Helstad is currently 1.87m tall.
He was regarded as one of the most prominent strikers in the Norwegian top division during the 2000s, particularly noted for his goal-scoring record with SK Brann. Helstad won domestic league titles in both Norway and Austria and represented the Norway national team at senior and youth levels.

Early life and youth career

Helstad was born in Hamar, Norway and started his career in his local club FL Fart where he at age 16 scored two goals against Løten in 1993 that made the team win promotion to Norwegian Third Division.

Club career

HamKam

He transferred to the local Norwegian First Division side HamKam, at the age of 18, and played for the club between 1995 and 1997.

Brann

In 1998, Helstad signed for Brann, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career. Helstad played for Brann in two spells, from 1998 to 2002 and from 2006 to 2008.
He became the club’s leading striker and finished as theTippeliga top scorer in both 2000 and 2001 and won the Kniksen Award as the best striker in 2000.

Austria Wien

Helstad played for Austria Wien from 2002 to 2004. During the 2002 - 2003 season, he won both the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Supercup with the club.

Rosenborg

After scoring 14 goals in 69 matches for the Austrian side, Helstad returned to Norway where he signed a four-year deal with Rosenborg. He won the Norwegian league title with Rosenborg in 2004 and 2006.
With Steffen Iversen as the preferred striker, Helstad never managed to gain a regular spot in the first squad, but was often used as a winger in a 4–3–3 system.

Later career

After scoring 24 goals in 58 matches, Helstad returned to Brann in June 2006. Since he transferred in the middle of the season he won both gold with Rosenborg and silver with Brann.
In July 2008, Brann accepted a €2 million bid for Helstad from French club Le Mans, where he was installed as their starting striker. Helstad scored 21 goals in 2010–11.
In June 2011, Helstad made a free transfer move to recently relegated and former Champions League finalist Monaco.
He announced his retirement from playing in April 2014.

Career statistics

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
116 August 2000Telia 5G -areena, Helsinki, Finland1–11–3Friendly
27 October 2000Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales1–11–12002 FIFA World Cup qualification
324 January 2001Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong2–13–2Friendly
428 February 2001Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland1–04–0Friendly
5.28 February 2001Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland4–04–0Friendly
626 January 2003Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates1–11–1Friendly
78 June 2005Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden2–13–2Friendly
812 October 2005Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway1–01–02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
92 June 2007Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway2–04–0UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
109 September 2009Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway1–02–12010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Austria Wien
Rosenborg
Brann
Individual