Petter Normann Rudi (born 17 September 1973) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
He notably played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday and in Serie A for Perugia. He also played for Molde, Gent, Lokeren, Germinal Beerschot and Austria Wien. He was capped 46 times by Norway, scoring 3 goals. Club career As midfielder, Rudi has played with several European clubs. These are Gent, Perugia, Sheffield Wednesday, Lokeren, Germinal Beerschot, Austria Wien and Molde.
Molde At 17 years old, Rudi became part of Molde's senior squad in the 1991 season. He got his debut on 12 May 1991 in a league game the club drew 1–1 against Fyllingen. Rudi scored his first goals for Molde on 16 August 1992, when he scored a brace against Mjøndalen in Molde's 4–0 win at Nedre Eiker Stadion. Molde were relegated from the top division in 1993, but Rudi played all games in the following season and contributed to Molde being promoted back to Tippeligaen. Rudi was suspended in the final of the 1994 Norwegian Cup where Molde defeated Lyn 3–2 and won the club's first major trophy.
Sheffield Wednesday Rudi was signed by David Pleat in October 1997 from Molde. He made his debut against Spurs, and his style of play made him popular with the Wednesday fans. Rudi became a regular starter under Ron Atkinson later that season after Pleat was sacked. The Norwegian failed to score in his first season, he did however score in the 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory against Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.
Rudi made 79 and six sub appearances for Wednesday, scoring eight goals.
International career Rudi played a total of 52 games and scored nine goals for Norway at international youth level.
During his career, Rudi was capped 46 times for Norway, and scored three goals, perhaps most notably the opening goal of Norway's 4–2 win against Brazil in 1997.
Career statistics Club Source: ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueCupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMolde1991Tippeligaen12010———130199220220———222199322252——2029419941. divisjon (2)22241———2631995Tippeligaen25120—40—311199626040—20—320199711100———111Total1388183——602016411Perugia (loan)1996–97Serie A14100———141Sheffield Wednesday1997–98Premier League2200000——2201998–993463110——4071999–20002021041——2532000–01First Division100000——10Total7784151————8610Molde2000Tippeligaen3011—20—61200112210———132Total15221——20——193Molde2004Tippeligaen26331———294200516330——20213200626110—40—311Total68771——4020818Molde Total22117275——1204026422
International Source: National teamYearAppsGoalsNorway199520199650199783199850199970200000200160200200200330200420200550200630 Total463
Honours Molde Norwegian Cup: 1994, 2005
Austria Wien Austrian Football Bundesliga: 2003–04
Post-playing career Petter Rudi retired from football in 2007 after his contract with Gent was not renewed. He has since worked many years for Molde as a scout and analyst.
On 29 March 2026, it was announced that Petter Rudi has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease.Petter Rudi har fått ALS: Svært vond beskjed, Verdens Gang (29 March 2026). Retrieved 30 March 2026.
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