Ruben Kristiansen (born 20 February 1988) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Norwegian Second Division side Tromsdalen. Kristiansen has played at the highest level in Norway for three clubs, Tromsø, Vålerenga and Brann.
Career Early years Kristiansen hails from Nordreisa Municipality.Profile at Tromsø IL He started his career at local club Nordreisa, before moving on to play for Skjervøy, and later Tromsdalen.
Tromsø In late 2011 Kristiansen signed a three-year contract with Eliteserien club Tromsø.
Vålerenga He signed for Vålerenga in March 2014.
Brann After two seasons at Vålerenga, Kristiansen joined fellow Eliteserien side Brann in 2015, helping them reach promotion at the end of the season.
He subsequently signed several new contracts with the club, stretching all the way through the 2024 season.
Return to Tromsø In October 2024 Brann announced that Kristiansen would not be offered a contract extension after the season was finished. The following December, his former club Tromsø confirmed that they had signed Kristiansen on a one-year contract.
After only eight appearances in the league, most of them off the bench, it was announced that Kristiansen would not renew his contract with the club, and that he would depart after only one season.
Return to Tromsdalen On 8 April 2026, after three months without a club, Kristiansen signed a one-year amateur contract with his former club Tromsdalen.
International career Kristiansen made one appearance for Norway's U23 team in 2012 against Estonia's U23 team, where they lost 2-0.
He made his international senior debut for Norway against South Africa in a friendly game in January 2013.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational CupEuropeOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTromsdalen20101. divisjon19230——22220112. divisjon24310——253Total43540——475Tromsø 220122. divisjon70———70Tromsø2012Eliteserien1616060—2812013Eliteserien27020130—420Total43180190—701Vålerenga2014Eliteserien26020——2802015Eliteserien16010——170Total42030——450Brann20151. divisjon12200——1222016Eliteserien28000——2802017Eliteserien2812020103312018Eliteserien13000——1302019Eliteserien2800020—3002020Eliteserien210———2102021Eliteserien26120——28120221. divisjon30020——3202023Eliteserien1305040—2202024Eliteserien2901060—360Total2284120140102554Tromsø2025Eliteserien8030——110Tromsdalen2026Norwegian Second Division1000—0010Career Total373103003301043710
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNorway201330201410Total40
Honours Tromsø Norwegian Cup runner-up: 2012
Brann Norwegian First Division: 2022 Norwegian Football Cup: 2022 Mesterfinalen runner-up: 2017
References