Born: Stavanger, Norway, 10 November 1977
Position: Centre forward
International caps: 8
International goals: 0
Signed: 28 January 2008 from FC Groningen (£1.85m)
Fulham debut: Fulham 2-1 Aston Villa, 3 February 2008
Fulham appearances: 67
Fulham goals: 10
Honours: UEFA Europa League runners up (2009-10).
Sold: 30 June 2010 (released).
The ever-popular Erik Nevland joined Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage in January 2008 after lengthy negotiations with FC Groningen, where he was a cult hero. The former Manchester United forward played a crucial role in Fulham’s Great Escape, scoring the clinching second goal at relegation rivals Reading, and becoming a specialist substitute as opposition defences tired. Nevland scored ten times in 67 appearances for the Whites as they went from certainties for the drop to finishing seventh in the Premier League and then all the way to the Europa League final. He scored several vital goals – including in a famous 3-1 win over Liverpool in 2009. Hodgson wanted to keep Nevland in SW6, but the Norwegian international opted to return home to Viking, where he is now the club’s director of football.
