After seeing his arrival at Oriel Park delayed by COVID-19, Norwegian attacker Ole Erik Midtskogen says he is happy to finally be at Oriel Park
Midtskogen left Faroe Islands side KI Klaksvik in mid-December to become Dundalk’s first new signing ahead of the 2021 campaign but the current Level Five restrictions meant that he only joined up with his new teammates last Monday.
He is well-known to Lilywhites fans after catching the eye during the Europa League Play-Off tie with KI last October, a game where he scored his team’s only goal.
Despite finishing on the losing side that night, Midtskogen impressed Filippo Giovagnoli and the Lilywhites first-team coach quickly made an approach for the 25-year-old whose contract in the Faroes had reached its conclusion.
Speaking to Black and White Town, the Dundalk FC Patreon members’ podcast, Ole recalled his experience of playing against Dundalk in October, describing the match as “a hard game where Dundalk, especially in the first half, dominated the ball” later adding that “all in all it was a fair result.”
He also revealed that his transfer was actually completed in early December when the Lilywhites were in Norway to face Molde in the penultimate match of the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Ole Erik Midtskogen smashes the ball into the Dundalk net for Ki Klaksvik during the UEFA Europa League Play-off match at the Dublin Stadium in October 2020. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
“I went down to Molde, met the staff, and signed,” said Midtskogen. “I was supposed to start before Christmas, but it was postponed, so it’s good to finally be here and meet the guys.”
The big striker stated that he watched all of the Lilywhites’ Europa League fixtures, noting the two close games with Molde and the game away to Rapid Wien as “impressive to see.”
He also had praise for fellow new signing Sonni Nattestad, who he played against previously in the Faroe Islands. When asked about what we can expect from Nattestad, Ole said: “He’s solid, good in the air with an amazing left-foot. I think he will take the league by storm.”
Having spent just a single year in the Faroe Islands, Midtskogen is once again having to adapt to a new team and new surroundings but after a full week of training, he believes he will have no problems settling in.
“As always, you’re always a bit nervous before the first day and meeting all the lads but it’s a good start. The guys were amazing and they were all so nice, so it’s a good feeling”
With the new season on the horizon, starting on March 12th with the President’s Cup game with Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium, Midtskogen is looking forward to the opening fixtures. “You want to play games, so yeah, I’m really looking forward to playing some matches and getting started here.”
