“I like to bring the team into good positions in the game”

Jan-Halvor Halvorsen, Kjetil Rekdal, Trond Ludvigsen, Rune Jarstein, Per Skjelbred – and since Wednesday, Fredrik André Bjørkan! Another Norwegian becomes a part of Hertha BSC’s history on 1st January 2022. Our future number 3 is feeling positive ahead of his new tasks in the capital. “The discussions were really enjoyable and it was really great to talk with Fredi Bobic. Hertha is a fantastic big club that I’m really looking forward to being a part of,” Bjørkan told herthabsc.com. In his first interview as a Herthaner, the 23-year-old spoke about the reasons behind his move, talking to fellow Norwegians playing in the Bundesliga and his style of play.

herthabsc.com: Fredrik André, welcome to Hertha BSC. Firstly, tell us how your move here came about.

Bjørkan: The discussions were really enjoyable and it was really great to talk with Fredi Bobic. Hertha is a fantastic big club that I’m really looking forward to being a part of. When the club came to me, it was a very easy decision to make.

herthabsc.com: What do you already know about your new club and the Bundesliga?

Bjørkan: I know a bit about the Bundesliga because a few Norwegians have already played for Hertha in the past. I know the club well and have looked out for them for some time. I have a few friends who are playing in the Bundesliga, who I chat to. They gave me a lot of positives. Above all, I spoke the most with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jens Petter Hauge. He shared his impressions of the league with me and I think it suits me well.

herthabsc.com: You’re at home on the left-hand side. What stands out about your game?

Bjørkan: I see myself as an attacking left back who wants the ball and puts it into positions to bring the team into good situations in the game. I still have to work on my heading game. I like the attacking side of the game, where I can show my strengths.

herthabsc.com: Your father, Aasmund, was also a professional footballer and became a coach after his career. He’s been the sporting director of Bodø/Glimt since 2018. Was it hard to share your decision to leave with him?

Bjørkan: No, my father also thinks that it’s the right decision for me as a few Norwegians have played here at Hertha and the club has a very good reputation in our country. However, my father and grandmother will be a little sad to see me leave home (smiles).

herthabsc.com: From tranquil Bodø and its almost 50,000 inhabitants to Berlin with almost four million. What do you already know about your new home and what are you looking forward to in particular?

Bjørkan: It will definitely be a big transition for me because I’m coming straight from a small town in the north of Norway. However, I think it will do me some good. I have a friend who wants to move to Berlin with me and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t speak German yet but I really want to learn the language. Hopefully I’ll be able to speak a little bit of German in our next interview (laughs).

herthabsc.com: To finish off, can you describe yourself a little bit for our fans? What are you like in private and what hobbies do you have?

Bjørkan: Above all, I love being on the water. I don’t really have a typical hobby, but I love getting out and doing things. I like meeting up with friends for a coffee or in a restaurant. Of course, I also live for the typical Norwegian 'Friluftsliv' – I love being around nature and in the fresh air. That’s exactly the kind of thing that I like.