Erik Hoftun

Erik Hoftun
Hoftun in 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1969-03-03) 3 March 1969 (age 57)
Place of birth Kyrksæterøra, Norway
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Positions
Youth career
KIL/Hemne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1992 KIL/Hemne 141 (18)
1992–1993 Molde 44 (5)
1994–2005 Rosenborg 279 (14)
2005–2007 Bodø/Glimt 56 (2)
Total 520 (39)
International career
1997–2002 Norway 30 (0)
Managerial career
2014–2018 Rosenborg (assistant)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Erik Hoftun (born 3 March 1969) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who primarily played as a centre-back. He played for several clubs in Norway, most notably spending many years with Rosenborg, where he established himself as a key defender. He also represented the Norway national football team at international level.

Club career

Born in Kyrksæterøra, Hoftun began his playing career with KIL/Hemne before moving to Molde in 1992. After spending two seasons at Molde, he joined Rosenborg in 1994.

At Rosenborg, Hoftun spent 11 years and established himself as a key defender during the club's most successful period. He won 11 league titles and three Norwegian Cup titles, and was an important player for Rosenborg not only in the Norwegian league but also in the UEFA Champions League. He made a total of 82 appearances in the Champions League.

During his peak, Hoftun was regarded as a centre-back with excellent anticipation and attacking ability. He was particularly noted for his ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' movements, while he compensated for his lack of pace with extensive experience and a strong understanding of the game.

In 2005, Hoftun moved to Bodø/Glimt. On 24 June 2007, while playing for Bodø/Glimt, he suffered a cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest by an opposing player's knee during a challenge. The club doctor immediately rushed onto the pitch and administered emergency treatment, and the prompt response was credited with saving Hoftun's life. Hoftun remained with Bodø/Glimt until 2007 and retired from professional football that same year.

In November 2007, Hoftun returned to Rosenborg to take on administrative duties. After Knut Torbjørn Eggen resigned, he served as acting sporting director before being formally appointed sporting director of Rosenborg on 18 August 2008.

International career

Hoftun was first called up to the Norway national team in 1997 and remained with the national team until 2002. He made a total of 30 appearances and scored no goals.

Hoftun was included in Norway's 22-man squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Norway drew 2–2 with Morocco in the group stage and 1–1 with Scotland, before defeating Brazil 2–1 in their final group-stage match to advance to the round of 16. However, Hoftun did not make an appearance in the tournament.

Hoftun made his highest number of international appearances in 1999, with 11 matches. He made seven appearances in 1998, four each in 2000 and 2001, and two each in 1997 and 2002. He ended his international career after the 2002 season.

Hoftun did not score during his international career, with all 30 of his international appearances coming between 1997 and 2002.

Honours

Rosenborg

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Erik Hoftun". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  2. ↑ "3 ganger 3 og 33". Rosenborg. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Erik Hoftun - Profil". Norges Fotballforbund. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "Hoftun fikk hjertestans på banen". Dagbladet. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hoftun fikk hjertestans". Aftenposten. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Baade, Gunnhild (24 June 2007). "Hoftun fikk livreddende behandling". VG. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Store visjoner". Bergens Tidende. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Burheim, Mads Gudim (18 August 2008). "Hoftun ansatt som sportslig leder i RBK". dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). Dagbladet. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Norges tropp til fotball-VM i 1998". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Erik Hoftun". National Football Teams. Retrieved 23 September 2026.