Havard Nordtveit has confirmed that he will leave Borussia Mönchengladbach for the Premier League once his current deal expires.
Nordtveit, 25, joined the Bundesliga club from Arsenal in 2011 after impressing at 1. FC Nürnburg during a loan spell, prompting then manager Michael Frontzeck to bring the Norwegian to Mönchengladbach.
“It was a really hard decision for me,” Nordtveit told Borussia.de. “I know what I have here at Borussia. I love this club, I’ve had five-and-a-half wonderful years here and I have friends in the team and the club.”
Nordtveit made 121 Bundesliga appearances for Gladbach – scoring six goals – becoming a first team regular alongside the likes of Martin Stranzl and Mike Hanke.
Tipped for relegation, Gladbach fought against the odds to survive in 2011.
“Borussia were bottom of the table and many had already written us off,” recalls Nordtveit. “The fans and everyone at the club believed we could stay still stay up. What happened after that was crazy.”
Bild and Kicker have speculated that the 25-year-old will join either West Ham United or Liverpool. Although the defensive midfielder has yet to confirm his destination, he will be leaving Borussia-Park for England.
Nordtveit told Borussia.de that he would “like to leave it to my new team to announce,” Of “which we’ve agreed with regards to the current situation.”
Where will Havard Nordtveit be playing next season?
The Norwegian joined Arsenal at 17, but failed to make a Premier League appearance for the London club which prompted Arsene Wenger to loan Nordtveit to a number of clubs.
“England is the big goal for every footballer in Norway and I’d like to try it out,” said Nordtveit.
English press have also linked Nordtveit with a move to his former club, Arsenal, but with the recent signing of Mohamed Elneny, West Ham or Liverpool look the likelier destination.
Underrated?
The Norwegian international can play in defensive midfield, centre-back and right-back, which prompted a number of clubs to chase Nordtveit.
The 25-year-old dropped no hints of who he’s joining, but told Gladbach’s official website he would like to compete in the Champions League or Europa League next season alongside Gladbach next season, of which he’ll “still give everything in my remaining games here.”
Currently fourth in the Bundesliga, Borussia Mönchengladbach have a real possibility of competing in the Champions League next season under André Schubert, who replaced Lucien Favre in September 2015.