Arne Vidar Moen

By: Jostein Jensen
Date: 20/07/2001

GRIMSBY, who are currently desperate for a central defender, will also try to sign Arne Vidar Moen on a Bosman. Brann obtained the player at the start of the 1997 season - and his first match was in the Quarter final of the Cup Winner Cup versus Liverpool - then Moen played a midfield role!

Born: 17.11.1971 in Storsteinnes
Height: 180 cm (5'11")
Weight: 81 kilos (12st 10lb)
Former clubs: Storsteinnes, Tromsø and Brann
(With 241 league Tippeliga matches and 11 goals Arne Vidar is very experienced).
Caps: Twenty U-21 caps for Norway

This season the Brann defender has been on loan to top Norwegian club Lillestrøm. "Arne Vidar has done a good job for Brann, and it was a pity when he left. But we had many good central defenders. So it was better to let him go such that he could play matches," said leader of Sport in Brann Arne Møller.

Despite also being successful in Lillestrøm it's no secret that he wants to move abroad. "When you have become as old as me (laughs Moen), you have to admit that the money plays an important role. But wellbeing is most important," tells Moen who strongly wants to move abroad after having played in the Norwegian top flight since 1991.

Moen's agent is Stig Lillejordet, the same agent as Fostervold used when he joined the Mariners. There has been an interest in the player this winter as he went on a trial with Motherwell together with former Grimsby on loan player Marc Nicholls! Moen only played one match - but the opposite team was too weak. Moen really didn't got the chance to show what he could do in the 3-0 win. Agent Lillejordet said that the Scot got a good impression of Moen, a former Scottish U-21 boss said that Moen was good enough for the Scottish Premier. But nothing happened with the deal. Later have Lillejordet sent video tapes of the strong and solid defender to clubs in Great Brittain. Maybe Lennie experienced a nice time in front of the TV as well?

"There have been at least three to four Scottish clubs that have showed interest and there is one English First Division club who have followed him," Lillejordet told the press before it was known that Grimsby were the unnamed first division outfit. "Also several Norwegian clubs have showed interest for Arne Vidar," continued Lillejordet.

Lillestrøm want to keep their defender, with their leader Bjarne Sognnæs confirming that they want to sign the player who will be a Bosman when the season ends this year. "We want Arne Vidar to sign a new deal," said Sognnæs who has a three year deal on a offer for the defender. "It's a long way until we have a deal with him. So far have we not discussed economics," explained the leader of Lillestrøm.

Lillestrøm boss Arne Erlandsen has been pleased with the player who he got in on loan before the Norwegian season kicked off in April. "I'm very pleased with what Arne Vidar have done for us. He has soon converted to our style of play, and has been a huge part of out success this season," said the well-respected manager Erlandsen.

When Arne Vidar played for Tromsø some seasons ago he and Steinar Nielsen were together rated as one of the best central defences in Norway. Steinar would later go to Italy and AC Milan, Monza and Napoli. Moen tried his luck in Bergen, he continued being steady and played most of the matches until this season.

Then the youngster Erlend Hanstveit pushed Arne Vidar out of the team. Brann boss Teitur Thordarsson who loaned Moen to Lillestrøm this season thinks a move to the UK would be ideal for Arne Vidar. "It would have been nice if Arne Vidar could have got an opportunity abroad as this is his dream. The reason why Arne Vidar was loaned away was a combination of economics and that he was less than satisfied with the situation, as he was then sat on the bench," Thordarsson exclusively told Jailhouse Rock.

Lillestrøm have been a great success this season - they currently lead the Norwegian league with Moen playing a big part!

Next Target: Stian Thomassen

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Lawrence to Crack Norse Code
• Norwegian Bosmans - the Complete List
• Lawrence Is Not Panicking To Find A Centre Back!
• More Stories