Continuing our alphabetical world tour, next up is the Faroe Islands. Officially a part of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are one of 26 FIFA nations that are not recognised by the UN as sovereign states.
Despite having a population of just over 50,000 people, the Faroe Islands have been represented in the Premier League. Just once…
First (and only) Player – Gunnar Nielsen (Manchester City; 2009-12)
The current Faroe Islands captain, still just 33 today, first moved to the Premier League in 2007, joining Blackburn Rovers. Seen as a prospect and backup goalkeeper, Nielsen never made an appearance for Blackburn and joined Manchester City in 2009 after a loan spell at Motherwell.
Understudy to Shay Given in his first season, he was made to wait until April 2010 for his first league outing, replacing Given after 76 minutes of a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
Despite keeping a clean sheet in his 22 minutes on the pitch, Nielsen did not retain his place in Given’s absence, City instead opting to sign the late Márton Fülöp on loan for the remaining three games of the season. Nielsen would make no further appearances for City’s first team and was released in 2012.
Records
- Most appearances – Gunnar Nielsen (1)
- First appearance – Gunnar Nielsen (Arsenal 0-0 MAN CITY, April 24th 2010)
- Most goals – None
- First goal – N/A
Trivia
- Between 2007 and 2012, Gunnar Nielsen joined five different British clubs, playing a combined total of seven league games for all of them. He later made 19 league appearances for Motherwell between 2013 and 2015.
- Gunnar Nielsen is currently the joint 9th most capped Faroese footballer of all time.
