Gustav Tang Isaksen was born in Hjerk, in central Denmark, on April 19, 2001.
He played his early years with Roslev IK and his youth career with Midtjylland. He then played 100 league games and scored 24 league goals for the first team between 2019 and 2023. In 2021 he won a Danish Cup, when the Wolves from Herning defeated Brøndby on penalties.
In the 2022-23 season he played and impressed against Lazio in the Europa League. He scored both in Denmark and in Rome and the following summer Lazio signed him for 12 million Euros plus four bonuses.
He arrived in Rome and the manager was Maurizio Sarri entering his third year as head coach. Lazio had recently achieved a positive second place behind Napoli.
Isaksen made his debut on August 20 on Lazio's Serie A debut away at Lecce.
He then played 28 league games with 3 goals (Frosinone, Bologna, Salernitana), 3 games in Coppa Italia and 5 in the Champions League.
He has represented Denmark at almost all levels from the U16's to the top national side where he has won four caps and scored one goal. He was not however included in Denmark's squad for the 2024 Euros in Germany.
His chances may have been affected by Maurizio Sarri resigning in mid-March. Under the Tuscan Isaksen had played regularly but with his successor, Igor Tudor, he played less.
Lazio eventually finished 7th and qualified for the Europa League.
In the Champions League they qualified for the last 16 but, despite defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rome, they lost 1-3 on aggregate.
In Coppa Italia Lazio reached the semi-finals defeating Genoa and Roma but then lost 2-3 to Juventus on aggregate.
A difficult and turbulent first season for the young Dane who hopefully will have a more stable season under new manager for 2024-25, Marco Baroni.
Isaksen is a right winger. He is left-footed, but uses his right well too, quick and technical. His main asset is his ability to cut in from the right, elude his marker and shoot. Last season Lazio only saw glimpses of these skills but in Denmark he is considered one of their best young prospects. Time will tell.
Lazio Career (updated October 26, 2024)
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Champions League | Europa League | Super Coppa |
2023-24 | 37 (3) | 28 (3) | 3 | 5 | - | 1 |
2024-25 | 10 (2) | 8 (1) | - | - | 2 (1) | - |
Total | 47 (5) | 36 (4) | 3 | 5 | 2 (1) | 1 |
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