Thorstein Helstad (born 28 April 1977) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a forward.
He was regarded as one of the most prominent strikers in the Norwegian top division during the 2000s, particularly noted for his goal-scoring record with SK Brann. Helstad won domestic league titles in both Norway and Austria and represented the Norway national team at senior and youth levels.
Early life and youth career Helstad was born in Hamar, Norway and started his career in his local club FL Fart where he at age 16 scored two goals against Løten in 1993 that made the team win promotion to Norwegian Third Division.
Club career
HamKam He transferred to the local Norwegian First Division side HamKam, at the age of 18, and played for the club between 1995 and 1997.
Brann In 1998, Helstad signed for Brann, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career. Helstad played for Brann in two spells, from 1998 to 2002 and from 2006 to 2008.
He became the club’s leading striker and finished as the Tippeliga top scorer in both 2000 and 2001 and won the Kniksen Award as the best striker in 2000.
Austria Wien Helstad played for Austria Wien from 2002 to 2004. During the 2002 - 2003 season, he won both the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Supercup with the club.
Rosenborg After scoring 14 goals in 69 matches for the Austrian side, Helstad returned to Norway where he signed a four-year deal with Rosenborg. He won the Norwegian league title with Rosenborg in 2004 and 2006.
With Steffen Iversen as the preferred striker, Helstad never managed to gain a regular spot in the first squad, but was often used as a winger in a 4–3–3 system.
Later career After scoring 24 goals in 58 matches, Helstad returned to Brann in June 2006. Since he transferred in the middle of the season he won both gold with Rosenborg and silver with Brann.
In July 2008, Brann accepted a €2 million bid for Helstad from French club Le Mans, where he was installed as their starting striker. Helstad scored 21 goals in 2010–11.
In June 2011, Helstad made a free transfer move to recently relegated and former Champions League finalist Monaco.
He announced his retirement from playing in April 2014.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionSeasonClubLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHamKam1995Tippeligaen17400——1741996Adeccoligaen14300——143199715500——155Total46120000004612Brann1998Tippeligaen23600—20256199921800——2182000241820—2128192001231743—20292020028500——85Total995463006111158Austria Wien2002–03Austrian Bundesliga29600—423382003–0427600—202962004–053000——30Total59120000625414Rosenborg2004Tippeligaen5100—42932005251323—82351820066100——61Total361523001245022Brann2006Tippeligaen12210——1322007242221—6132242008121112—201513Total48354300816039Le Mans2008–09Ligue 132102110—35112009–103141020—3442010–11Ligue 235213110—3922Total983562400010837Monaco2011–12Ligue 2601010—80Lillestrøm2012Tippeligaen12300——123201322530——255Total348300000378Career total426171221150328485190
International Scores and results list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Helstad goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Thorstein HelstadNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 16 August 2000 Telia 5G -areena, Helsinki, Finland 1–1 1–3 Friendly2 7 October 2000 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 1–1 1–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification3 24 January 2001 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong 2–1 3–2 Friendly4 28 February 2001 Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 1–0 4–0 Friendly5. 4–06 26 January 2003 Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 1–1 1–1 Friendly7 8 June 2005 Råsunda Stadium, Solna, Sweden 2–1 3–2 Friendly8 12 October 2005 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway 1–0 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification9 2 June 2007 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway 2–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying10 9 September 2009 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway 1–0 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Austria Wien Austrian Bundesliga: 2002–03 Austrian Cup: 2002–03 Austrian Supercup: 2003
Rosenborg Tippeligaen: 2004, 2006
Brann Tippeligaen: 2007
Individual Tippeligaen top scorer: 2000, 2001, 2007 Kniksen Award Attacker of the Year: 2000, 2007 Norwegian Football Association Gold Watch
References
External links Helstad profile at Norwegian FA