Vålerenga Fotball is on the verge of strengthening the squad with two experienced players. The club is close to agreements with free agent veterans Håvard Nielsen and Elbasan Rashani, while also negotiating a major sale of Brice Ambina to San Jose Earthquakes.
Håvard Nielsen previously played for Vålerenga before being sold to Red Bull Salzburg in 2012. The forward, who has 14 international caps, has spent recent years at six different German clubs, most recently Hannover in the second tier. Elbasan Rashani is best known in Norway for two good spells at Odd and is arriving from a stint in Australia with Melbourne. Both players trained with Vålerenga on Thursday, as the club used deadline day to sell other squad members. Henrik Bjørdal moved to Viking, Promise Meliga to KFUM, and Mohamed Ofkir to HamKam.
A significant piece of business awaits for 24-year-old Cameroonian Brice Ambina. The midfielder, who has been a key player for Vålerenga, is nearing a transfer to MLS side San Jose Earthquakes. A deal fell through during the open window, but the clubs are now working to finalise a move effective from 1 January 2027. Ambina himself wants the transfer, and final negotiations are ongoing. This will free up funds and space in a squad currently missing M. Sjoeng and F. Ambina through injury.
The club's daily leader Svein Graff did not wish to comment on the claims they are close to deals for Rashani and Nielsen., Has not on Thursday wished to comment on whether they are close to agreements with Rashani and Nielsen, said Graff. The movements come after a difficult period on the pitch, where the team's form reads DLL from the last three matches. They drew 2-2 away to Sarpsborg 08 FF last weekend, following two defeats to Molde. To turn the trend, experience is needed, and both new players could contribute immediately.
The task now is to integrate new faces quickly. Vålerenga face Lillestrom away on Saturday 12 September, a key local derby. Check the upcoming fixtures to follow along. With a squad in need of fresh impetus, the arrival of Nielsen and Rashani could provide a boost. The current squad will gain experienced reinforcements, and the sale of Ambina opens the door for future investment. The next match will show if the new veterans can help change the team's fortunes.
