Who is Erik Botheim? | GlasgowWorld
One of the striker’s close friends is Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland.
In a bid to add firepower to his front line, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has described Erik Botheim as his priority summer signing for Rangers.
The striker, who last played for Bodø/Glimt in the Norwegian Premier League, has a goals-per-two-game record for the side, which beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the European Conference League.
As the Europa League runners-up close in on his signing, we take a look at who he is and the controversy surrounding his move to Krasnodar.
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Why do Rangers want to sign Botheim?
With limited natural goalscorers in the squad, it’s clear the team would target a strong number nine, who has impressed both domestically and continentally.
The season just ended culminated with Rangers top scorer James Tavernier being a defender.
Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe finished second and third respectively with a decent goalscoring tally but to elevate the team they need a natural goalscorer.
With Botheim also said to be close friends with a certain Erling Haaland, he knows a thing or two about where the net is.
What are the reported fees for Botheim?
Signing one of Europe’s breakout stars would require a decent fee, but Botheim has actually been a free agent since his contract with Russian side FC Krasnodar was terminated.
It is understood that Rangers are not the only club interested in signing the 22-year-old as ‘lots of offers are on the table’ for the striker.
Why did he stop playing for Krasnodar?
After a great start to the season for Bodø/Glimt, Botheim sealed a £6.75m move to Russian Premier League side Krasnodar, which was believed to be Botheim’s first move on the footballing ladder.
However, Botheim terminated his contract with the Russian side and never made an appearance for them.
Botheim has terminated his contract due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with his agent taking to Instagram to confirm the news.
On social media, his agent said: “Erik Botheim has terminated his employment contract with FC Krasnodar with immediate effect.
“It was done for a ‘just cause’ and in accordance with article I4BIS of the FIFA regulations.
“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing and under all (the) circumstances, Erik felt he had no other choice.”
Who is Erik Botheim?
Erik Botheim is a 22-year-old forward, currently a free agent.
Although he signed for Russian side Krasnodar in January 2022, he has only ever played professional football in his home country of Norway and was born in Oslo.
His youth career was spent with Lyn and Rosenborg, the latter being one of the strongest clubs in Norway.
Botheim made his senior debut for Lyn when he was just 15, coming off the bench in a 2-2 with Ullern in June 2015.
Still only 15 years old, he scored his first goal in professional football in a 9-2 home win against Holmen.
He signed for Rosenborg in 2016, only capping 19 times for the side but still managing to score four goals.
Botheim then joined FK Bodø/Glimt. On 21 October 2021, Botheim scored a brace in Bodo/Glimt’s 6–1 demolition of Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the UEFA Europa Conference League.