It has been an instructive and eventful half-season for 18-year-old Frederik Lindgaard. The talented winger started his career at the age of 13 in AB and has this season become a regular fixture in the first team, where he also got a place in the starting line-up in the last 2nd division match of the year against FA 2000.
Lindgaard came to AB from his childhood club, where he had been since the age of five.
“I wanted to be tested at a higher level, because I could feel that I wanted to play football. That’s why I went to AB and gave it a shot. So I have followed the path from U14 and up to the first team.”
The importance of the academy
Going from U14 to U19 is a significant but also challenging journey. Especially here, Lindgaard highlights the difficult leap from U15 to U17, where he managed the transition well with the support of coaches and teammates.
“It was the first time (ed. at U14) I ever played with players who were better than me. I may not have been one of the best when I came to the club, but I worked hard and got better. I then took that on to U15. The jump from U15 to U17 is a pretty difficult jump. You have to play with some older players, which I actually did very well, as I had some good players and coaches around me, who helped a lot.
Here, Lindgaard also acknowledges the academy’s role in his development, both as a player and a person.
“At the club, they were very good at saying ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’. As a result, I also played a little U17 when I was an U15 player, and U19 as an U17 player. So I’ve always trained upwards and had coaches who have believed in me and given me the chance at a higher level. That’s also what we can see now.”
Experience from the first team’s locker room
Being part of the first team’s dressing room has given Lindgaard the opportunity to learn from older players with international experience.
He describes it as a great opportunity to engage in good conversations and receive valuable advice.
“Obviously, there are some players who are older and have some experience both from abroad and from big addresses. These are players you can learn a lot from and good conversations where you can get a lot of advice. I think that’s great! There is good learning for young players in the locker room.”
A leader on the U19 team
As a player with experience from the first team, Lindgaard brings a leadership dimension to the U19 team. He wants to be a mentor to the younger players and offers himself as someone they can come to with any concerns or questions.
“When you come down and play U19 and at the same time interact with the first team, then it is clear that you come down and act as a kind of leader. I try to get down and be a leader. Someone they can come to if they have something on their mind.”
The greatest moment of his career so far
Lindgaard also came on the field when AB played their way into the quarter-finals in the fast-paced match against the Superliga team Vejle BK, a match that he probably won’t forget anytime soon.
“It was big, very big! Perhaps the wildest experience I’ve had as a football player so far. To come in and measure yourself against a team from the top shelf was absolutely magical. My family and friends were also sitting out in the stands, so it was super cool,” says Lindgaard.
Historic quarter-final against FC Nordsjælland
With the quarter-finals against FC Nordsjælland ahead, Lindgaard acknowledges the challenge of facing one of Denmark’s best teams. However, he believes in the team and points out the possibility of surprising the opponent, just like they did in previous matches.
“Of course we believe in it. We’ve had a few weeks where we’ve had full focus on the two games, where they may have focused elsewhere and maybe underestimate us a bit like Vejle did. It will be difficult, but we believe in it!” concludes Lindgaard.
Lindgaard and the rest of the AB team face a crucial week, where they hope to advance to the semi-finals of the Oddset Cup. You can buy tickets for the team’s home game at Right to Dream right here.
