Canadian footballer Jayden Nelson has had his sights set on playing in Europe for a while now, and his transfer to Norwegian side Rosenborg BK could be the first step in realizing that dream. At just 20 years old, Nelson joined Rosenborg for around €1 million from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto FC, turning down clubs in Belgium and the Netherlands who only wanted him on loan. Nelson’s agent, Nick Huoseh, explained that Rosenborg’s big Scandinavian reputation and strong track record of developing talent made it a good move for his client’s career.
Nelson’s first game in the Norwegian Eliteserien saw him play as the left winger in a 3-4-3 system against Molde, where he completed 87% of his passes, 50% of his four dribbles, and provided one assist. Speaking to Transfermarkt, Nelson admitted that he would need time to adjust to the different style of play in Norway compared to the MLS, which is “grittier and more tactical” and can be very unpredictable.
However, this unpredictability works to Nelson’s advantage, as his style of play is unique in the league, making him stand out. Rosenborg hopes to capitalize on this by moving Nelson back from a more central role to the wing, where he can express himself more freely and show his biggest strengths. The club’s plan is to develop Nelson into a top player in the league, win a championship with him, and then move him on to another league.
For Nelson, the short-term goal is to win a title with Rosenborg and eventually show that he can play in a top-five league. Another short-term goal is to make it back to the national team, having missed the March camp due to his recent move to Europe. However, England-born Nelson is optimistic, as his agent revealed that national team head coach John Herdman is happy about the move and views the Norwegian league as a good platform to develop.
Nelson’s transfer to Rosenborg could be a stepping stone to a successful European football career, as the club has a strong history of developing talent and competing at the highest levels of European competition. With Rosenborg’s plan in place and Nelson’s unique playing style, the young Canadian forward could rise to the top of the Norwegian league and make a name for himself on the international stage.
