25 Facts About Martin Laursen

Martin Laursen played for Italian clubs Hellas Verona and Parma, and was the team captain of English club Aston Villa.

Martin Laursen represented Denmark at the 2000 European Championship, 2002 FIFA World Cup, and 2004 European Championship tournaments.

Martin Laursen started his senior career with nearby top-flight club Silkeborg in the Danish Superliga championship.

Martin Laursen played 35 games and scored one goal for Silkeborg in the Superliga from his debut until his last game in June 1998.

Martin Laursen was plagued by a knee injury for the majority of his first season at Verona, where the club won promotion to the top-flight Serie A championship.

Martin Laursen established himself in the Verona starting lineup during his second season in Italy.

Martin Laursen became known as Lionheart Laursen among the Verona fans, describing his courage and great ability to time his headers.

Martin Laursen won the Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League and European Super Cup in 2003, and the 2004 Serie A championship.

When Milan bought Dutch international defender Jaap Stam in May 2004, Martin Laursen left the club shortly thereafter.

Martin Laursen underwent a full rehabilitation in Bologna, and returned to the Villa side in August 2006.

Martin Laursen became an integral part of O'Neill's plans, and the physical English playing style proved to suit Martin Laursen perfectly.

Martin Laursen agreed terms on a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Aston Villa in January 2008.

On 23 October 2008, Martin Laursen gave Aston Villa the lead in the UEFA Cup game against Ajax with a header from close-range.

Martin Laursen was named 2008 Danish Football Player of the Year in November 2008.

Martin Laursen returned for the game against West Bromwich Albion in January 2009, but suffered an injury relapse.

In May 2009, Martin Laursen announced his decision to retire from football rather than undergo major surgery.

Martin Laursen was called up for the Denmark under-21 national team in February 1997, and went on to play 14 games for the under-21s until June 1999.

Martin Laursen made his debut for the senior Denmark national team in a friendly match against Portugal in March 2000.

Martin Laursen was a part of the Denmark squad at the UEFA Euro 2000, though he did not play a single game at the tournament due to injury.

Martin Laursen scored his first goal for his country in September 2003, in the UEFA Euro 2004 qualification, an all-important goal in injury time of the penultimate qualification match.

Martin Laursen played full-time in Denmark's four games at the tournament, playing impressively.

Martin Laursen played his last international game on 11 October 2008 against Malta.

In January 2009, Martin Laursen announced his retirement from international football, as he found it physically straining to play for both club and country.

Martin Laursen worked as a football pundit for Sky Sports briefly, and as a co-commentator for Danish broadcaster TV2.

Martin Laursen resigned on 14 June 2012 after steering the club clear of relegation.