About Simon Kjær - Danish footballer
Simon Thorup Kjær is a Danish professional footballer. He currently plays for Serie A club AC Milan and captains the Denmark national team. His playing position is a center-back.
Simon Kjær previously played for FC Midtjylland, Palermo, VfL Wolfsburg, Roma (loan), Lille, Fenerbahce, Sevilla, and Atalanta (loan). Currently, he is playing for AC Milan.
On the international level, Simon Kjær has represented Denmark at various age levels. He has represented Denmark at U16, U19, U20, U21, and the senior level. He was named 2007 Danish U19 talent of the year and 2009 Danish Talent of the Year. He made his senior international team debut for Denmark on 6 June 2009 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. He represented Denmark at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2018, and the UEFA European Championship in 2012 and 2020. In November 2022, he was named to Denmark’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Since his debut, he has obtained over 120 caps for Denmark.
Early Life and Family
Simon Kjær was born on 26 March 1989. His birth name is Simon Thorup Kjær. His birthplace is Horsens, Denmark. He was born to his father, Jorn Kjær, and to his mother, Lotte Kjær where he grew up alongside his sister named Alberte Kjær. He holds Danish nationality and belongs to the white ethnicity. Likewise, his religion is Christianity and as per his birthdate, his zodiac sign is Aries. While his father was supportive of him becoming a footballer and his mother, a teacher, was not. Despite not liking studying while attending school, Kjær was able to receive his diploma.
Simon Kjær Football Career
Simon Kjær started playing football when he was four years old which led him to join a small-time club Lund IF near Horsens.
FC Midtjylland
- In 2004, Simon Kjær joined the youth team of Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland where his father was the club's team manager. He was named the best player in a French youth tournament in April 2006.
- After progressing through the youth ranks at FC Midtjylland, Simon Kjær made his senior team debut for Midtjylland in the Viasat Cup training matches in June 2006. In August 2006, he signed his first professional contract, keeping him until 2009. In January 2007, he was promoted to the first-team squad. Later, he signed a five-year contract with Midtjylland in September 2007.
- Simon Kjær made his Superliga debut on 30 September 2007 in a 2-0 victory against AGF. He went on to play three more matches in the first half of the Danish Superliga 2007-08 season. During that season, he made 22 appearances for the club, scoring once in all the competitions.
Palermo
- In February 2008, Simon Kjær signed a five-year contract with Italian club Palermo, effective from the summer of 2008, earning Midtjylland a €4 million transfer fee. He made his debut for the club on 26 October 2008 in a 3-1 loss against Fiorentina. On 2 November 2008, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win against Chievo Verona. He ended his first season as the club's top-scoring defender in Serie A with three goals in 27 appearances in all competitions.
- During his 2009-10 season, Simon Kjær made 38 appearances for the club, scoring 2 goals in all the competitions as he helped Palermo to finish in fifth place in the league to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
VfL Wolfsburg
- On 30 June 2010, Simon Kjær signed a contract with VfL Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee believed to be €12.5 million. He made his unofficial debut for VfL Wolfsburg in a pre-season fixture against FC Augsburg, in which Wolfsburg ran out 1-0 winners. He made his VfL Wolfsburg debut on 15 August 2010 in a 2-1 win against Preußen Munster in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. He made his Bundesliga debut for the club on 20 August 2010 in a 2-1 loss against Bayern Munich. On 22 January 2011, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for the club in a 1-0 win against Mainz 05. In his first season, he made 34 appearances for the club, scoring once in all competitions.
Roma (loan)
- On 30 August 2011, Simon Kjær went out on a season-long loan deal to Roma, with the option to purchase at the end of the season. He made his debut for the club on 17 September 2011 in a 0-0 draw against Inter Milan. During his loan spell at Roma, he made 24 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Return to VfL Wolfsburg
- After playing for Roma, Simon Kjær returned to Wolfsburg and made his first appearance for Wolfsburg in the opening game of the 2012-13 season against VfB Stuttgart. On 2 December 2012, he scored his first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV. During that season, he made 25 appearances for the club, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists in all competitions.
Lille LOSC
- On 5 July 2013, Simon Kjær signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 side Lille for a transfer fee of €2.5 million. He made his debut for the club on 10 August 2013 in the opening game of the season in a 1-0 against FC Lorient. On 21 January 2014, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win against Iris Club de Croix in the second round of the Coupe de France. In his first season, he made 37 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
- On 18 September 2014, Simon Kjær scored on his UEFA Europa League debut in a 1-1 draw against FC Krasnodar. During his 2014-15 season, Simon Kjær made 42 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals in all competitions.
Fenerbahce
- On 16 June 2015, Simon Kjær joined Turkish side Fenerbahce, signing a four-year deal for €7.65 million. He made his debut for the club on 28 July 2015 in a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Third Round. He then made his league debut for the club on 23 August 2015 in a 1-1 draw against Caykur Rizespor. On 28 December 2015, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win against Sivasspor. In his first season, he made 45 appearances for the club, scoring 2 goals in all competitions.
- At the start of the 2016-17 season, Simon Kjær captained in both legs of the UEFA Champions League Third Round Qualifying Round against AS Monaco, losing 4-3 on aggregate. On 28 August 2016, he scored Fenerbahce’s first goal of the game but was sent off for a straight red card nine minutes later, as the club drew 3-3 against Kayserispor. During that season, he made 43 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
Sevilla
- On 2 August 2017, Simon Kjær joined Spanish side Sevilla, signing a four-year deal for a transfer fee of €12.5 million. He made his Sevilla debut on 19 August 2017 in the opening game of the season in a 1-1 draw against RCD Espanyol. By September, he was sidelined with injuries on two occasions. On 17 October 2017, he scored his first goal for the club in a 5-1 loss against Spartak Moscow in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. On 6 January 2018, he scored his first league goal for the club in a 5-3 loss against Real Betis. In his first season, he made 27 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
- In the 2018-19 season, Simon Kjær regained his first-team place, playing in the centre-back position for the club. During that season, he made 37 appearances for the club in all the competitions.
Atalanta (loan)
- On 1 September 2019, Simon Kjær was loaned to Atalanta where he made 6 appearances for the club in all the competitions.
AC Milan
- On 13 January 2020, Simon Kjær signed with AC Milan on loan for the rest of the 2019-20 season, with the option to make the transfer permanent for an undisclosed sum. He made his debut for the club on 15 January 2020 in a 3-0 win against S.P.A.L. in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia. On 19 January 2020, he made his league debut for the club in a dramatic 3-2 home win against Udinese. During his loan spell at AC Milan, he made 19 appearances for the club in all the competitions.
- Following his impressive performances, on 15 July 2020, Simon Kjær signed a permanent deal with AC Milan until 30 June 2022 for a transfer fee of €3.5 million. On 11 March 2021, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 away draw against Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 ties. During his 2020-21 season, he made 39 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing 2 assists in all competitions.
- On 27 October 2021, Simon Kjær extended his contract with Milan until 2024. On 1 December 2021, in the opening minutes of the Serie A away game against Genoa, he sustained an injury to his left knee and had to be stretchered off the pitch. After surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament, he was ruled out for six months. On 22 May 2022, he won Serie A when AC Milan beat Sassuolo at the Stadio Città del Tricolore. This was his first major trophy (both domestic and international). During his 2021-22 season, he made 14 appearances for the club in all the competitions.
International Career
- Simon Kjær has represented Denmark at various age levels.
- Simon Kjær has represented Denmark at U16, U19, U20, U21, and the senior level.
- On 19 September 2006, Simon Kjær made his only appearance for Denmark U18 against Slovakia U18.
- At the age of 17, Simon Kjær made his debut for the Denmark national U19 football team on 6 September 2006 in a 3-2 win against Portugal U19.
- Simon Kjær was then called up for the Denmark national U21 football team in May 2008 making his debut match against Germany U21s. He went on to make two appearances for the U21 side.
- Simon Kjær made his only Denmark U20, coming against France U20 on 19 November 2008.
- In February 2009, Simon Kjær was called up to the senior Danish national team as national team coach Morten Olsen was impressed by his form for Palermo and saw him and Per Krøldrup as main competitors to replace the retired defender Martin Laursen.
- Simon Kjær made his senior international team debut for Denmark on 6 June 2009 in a 1-0 win against Sweden in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.
- On 22 March 2013, Simon Kjær scored his first senior international goal for Denmark in a 3-0 win against the Czech Republic for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.
- Simon Kjær has represented Denmark at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2018, and the UEFA European Championship in 2012 and 2020.
- During the UEFA Euro 2020, on 12 June 2021, while playing their opening match against Finland, when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch, Simon Kjær was the first to help him and summon the medical team to quickly get onto the pitch.
- Simon Kjær also made sure that Eriksen's airways stayed unobstructed when he was unconscious and gave him CPR.
- Afterward, Simon Kjær guided his teammates to cover Eriksen while he received medical treatment and consoled Eriksen's wife Sabrina afterward.
- Eriksen was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and the match was suspended. Around an hour after the incident, UEFA and Danish Football Association officials confirmed from the Rigshospitalet that Eriksen had been stabilized and was awake. The match re-commenced later that evening, resulting in a 1-0 victory for Finland.
- On 27 August 2021, Simon Kjær was awarded the UEFA President's Award together with the medical team that stabilized Eriksen at the Finland game.
- In November 2022, Simon Kjær was named to Denmark’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
- Since his debut, Simon Kjær has obtained over 120 caps for Denmark.
Simon Kjær Wife and Children
Looking at his personal life, Simon Kjær is a married man. He got married to his long-term girlfriend turned wife, Elina Gollert. Their wedding was held in Roma, Italy in June 2017 and was attended by their close family and friends. The couple is blessed with two sons named Milas Kjær and Viggo Kjær. Previously, he was married to Camilla (his first wife). They have known each other since they were fifteen. Later, they broke up. At present, he is having an intimate relationship with his wife and sons and they are living their life happily together.
Simon Kjær Net Worth and Salary
Simon Kjær is a talented and successful footballer who has pocketed a huge amount of money from his career. His income comes from contracts, salaries, bonuses, and endorsements. In February 2008, he signed a five-year contract with Italian club Palermo, effective from the summer of 2008, earning Midtjylland a €4 million transfer fee. In June 2010, he signed a contract with VfL Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee believed to be €12.5 million. In July 2013, he signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 side Lille for a transfer fee of €2.5 million. In June 2015, he joined Turkish side Fenerbahce, signing a four-year deal for €7.65 million. In August 2017, he joined Spanish side Sevilla, signing a four-year deal for a transfer fee of €12.5 million. In July 2020, he signed a permanent deal with AC Milan until 30 June 2022 for a transfer fee of €3.5 million. As of 2022, his net worth is believed to be €27 million and he received £1.5 million as a yearly salary from his current club. Apart from earning from being a footballer, he is also making some profit from sponsorship and endorsement deals. He has done endorsement deals for brands such as Nike. Overall, he is satisfied with his earnings and is living a luxurious lifestyle. In addition, his market value is around €5 million.
Simon Kjær Height and Weight
Simon Kjær stands at the height of 1.90m i.e. 6 feet and 3 inches tall. He has a body weight of 86kg. Moreover, he has an athletic body build. His eye color is black and his hair color is blonde. He has a well-maintained body where his chest size is 42 inches, his arms size is 15 inches and his waist size is 34 inches. In addition, his sexual orientation is straight. Overall, he has got a healthy body with tattoos on his body parts.
Simon Kjær’s Transfer History
- Simon Kjær started playing football when he was four years old which led him to join a small-time club Lund IF near Horsens.
- In 2004, Simon Kjær joined the youth team of Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland where his father was the club's team manager.
- In February 2008, Simon Kjær signed a five-year contract with Italian club Palermo, effective from the summer of 2008, earning Midtjylland a €4 million transfer fee.
- In June 2010, Simon Kjær signed a contract with VfL Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee believed to be €12.5 million.
- In August 2011, Simon Kjær went out on a season-long loan deal to Roma, with the option to purchase at the end of the season.
- In July 2013, Simon Kjær signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 side Lille for a transfer fee of €2.5 million.
- In June 2015, Simon Kjær joined Turkish side Fenerbahce, signing a four-year deal for €7.65 million.
- In August 2017, Simon Kjær joined Spanish side Sevilla, signing a four-year deal for a transfer fee of €12.5 million.
- In September 2019, Simon Kjær was loaned to Atalanta.
- In January 2020, Simon Kjær signed with AC Milan on loan for the rest of the 2019-20 season, with the option to make the transfer permanent for an undisclosed sum.
- In July 2020, Simon Kjær signed a permanent deal with AC Milan until 30 June 2022 for a transfer fee of €3.5 million.
Awards and Achievements
Honors
- Won the 2021-22 Serie A with AC Milan.
Awards
- Won the 2007 Danish U19 Player of the Year.
- Won the 2009 Danish Talent of the Year.
- Won the 2009, 2021 Danish Player Of The Year.
- Won the 2021 UEFA President's Award.
- Won the 2021 The Guardian Footballer of the Year.
