Ronnie Ekelund

Personalia: Born: 21/8 1972 Birthplace: Glostrup (Denmark) Nationality: Denmark (0/0) Height: 5`10" (178cm) Weight: 12st. 6lb (??kg) Position: Midfield League Appearances: Season: Club: Games: Goals: 1989-1993 Brøndby (DEN) ? ? 1993-1994 Barcelona (SPA) 0 0 1994-1996 Southampton 17 5 1995 Manchester City (loan) 4 0 1996 Coventry City (loan) 0 0 1996-1999 Odense (DEN) ? ? 1999-2000 Tolouse (FRA) ? ? 2000-2001 Walsall 9 1 2001- San Jose Earthquakes (US) 43 6 Total: 73 12

Ronnie began his career in Denmark with Brøndby becoming the youngest ever Dane to play in a Superliga match at the ripe age of 15. His performances for Denmark in the 1992 Olympics attracted the attention of Johan Cruyff and FC. Barcelona who subsecuently signed him. Ronnie never managed to break into the first team at Barca, and moved on to Southampton the following year. With the Saints he became regular first team player and a favourite with the fans. A bad back injury then led to a lengthily lay off. When he regained match fitness he went on to have loan spells with Manchester City and Coventry. He moved back to Denmark in 1996 and signed for Odense FC. He moved on to Tolouse in 1999 and later described his 3 years in Denmark as a complete waste of time. In France helped Toulouse escape from relegation, but plans for an extended stay were scuppered when the Toulouse coach was fired the following season.

Ronnie went back to England and joined Walsall in January 2000. At the time the Saddlers were flying high in the 2nd Division and needed a spark of creativity in the centre of midfield. His 12 game stint saw him start 2 games, 1 of those was an LDV Vans tie where the Manager put out a Reserve team. Ronnie was a tidy player who used the ball well. He had a great fist touch and good vision, but never really managed to settle down as a player in Europe. After Walsall he moved to the US and played for top club San Jose Earthquakes where he was a huge hit.

29/1 2003: Midfielder Ronnie Ekelund signed a multi-year contract extension with the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday. Financial terms and length of the contract were not disclosed. Ekelund will enter his third year with San Jose after recording a career-high six goals and eight assists and making 27 starts in 2002. The Dane first came to San Jose before the 2001 campaign as a Discovery Player. He started 16 games in the regular season, notching two assists, including one on the game-winning goal in the 2001 MLS Cup Final.

Provided by: Svenn A. Hanssen, svenn@hanssen.priv.no