FC Groningen alumni Sørloth and Strand Larsen shine beyond Haaland at World Cup

Norway’s Erling Haaland is the headline act as his nation begins their World Cup campaign against Iraq this evening. Yet alongside him stand two former FC Groningen strikers whose own journeys from Dutch football have taken them to the global stage. Alexander Sørloth and Jørgen Strand Larsen both wore the FC Groningen shirt in attack, sharing the same dressing room before later forging Premier League careers. Their contrasting experiences in the Eredivisie club’s colours now frame two distinct paths to success. Sørloth’s time in Groningen was marked by early struggles. He failed to convince during his first season and was eventually sold to FC Midtjylland for a reported fee of €600,000. The move followed a difficult spell that included a severe allergic reaction to peanut sauce, which left him hospitalised. Strand Larsen, by contrast, found his footing in the Netherlands. After initially losing his starting place under Danny Buijs, he rediscovered form and later became a regular starter in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. His adaptability extended beyond football: he took up shuffleboard as a daily ritual to unwind. Sergio Padt, who played alongside both strikers at FC Groningen, reflected on their progress. “It’s really wonderful to see someone you played with reach that level,” he said. “I wouldn’t have bet on Sørloth ending up where he is now.”

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FC Groningen’s former general director Hans Nijland admitted doubts during recruitment. “I went to watch Sørloth in Norway with our technical manager Peter Jeltema,” he recalled. “He barely touched the ball and was substituted.” A call from scout Henk Veldmate changed the club’s mind: “Just sign him. This lad could make it in the Premier League.” Nijland added: “He started well here, but soon became a concern. His performances didn’t match expectations, and off-field issues arose. After the peanut allergy incident, we decided to sell him.” Strand Larsen’s shuffleboard habit became a talking point during his Groningen years. “I play every day when I get home,” he said. “It helps clear my head.” The hobby stayed with him until his move to Celta de Vigo, where the sjoelbak didn’t fit in his luggage.

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Both strikers have since surpassed expectations. Sørloth is now linked with a move to Juventus, while Strand Larsen remains a regular in Crystal Palace’s starting line-up. Their paths from FC Groningen to the World Cup spotlight highlight the unpredictable nature of football careers. “It’s really wonderful to see someone you played with reach that level,” Padt said of Sørloth’s rise. “I wouldn’t have bet on him ending up where he is now.”