John Angelo Valdemar Østergaard Hansen, known simply as John Hansen, was born in Copenhagen on June 24, 1924.
He began his footballing career with BK Frem in the amateur only Danish league. He played left inside wing, was a great header of the ball and could shoot with both feet equally powerfully. Despite being very famous in his homeland (he even won the Danish league in 1944 and was top scorer in 1948) it was only when he participated in the 1948 Olympic Games that the world got to know him. He scored seven goals in four games as Denmark won the bronze medal. In the match against Italy, he scored four of the five goals that knocked the Italians out of the tournament. The rise to fame meant a professional contract was waiting for him, hence the end of his international career, since only amateurs played for the Danish national team.
In 1948 he signed for Juventus despite initial negotiations with Torino. As a Bianconero he played for six seasons appearing in 189 matches with 124 goals. He won the scudetto in 1949-50 and 1951-52. He is considered to be one of the best players Juve has ever had. He had a few difficulties at first since he was not used to the Italian way of playing, but in 1949 another member of that Olympic team was signed: Karl Aage Praest. Praest was a fast winger who excelled in crosses, exactly what Hansen needed. He scored 28 goals in 37 games. In 1950 another Danish player joined Juventus, Karl Aage Hansen, and the three Danes played beautifully together. He scored another 30 goals in 1951-52 and was top scorer in the Bianconeri’s victorious campaign.
In 1954 Hansen signed for Lazio. He stayed only a year but managed to score 15 goals in 27 matches giving a helping hand to a team that after 9 games was last with just three points.
At the end of the season in Rome he went back to Denmark but because he had played professionally, he was not allowed to play in the league. He did play exhibition matches that attracted a considerable number of spectators. The ban was lifted in 1958, even if they did have to serve a two-year quarantine, so Hansen was able to go back to BK Frem where he played until he retired in 1960.
During his ban, Hansen was manager at BK Frem together with Erling Sorensen. In 1969 he was asked to be head selector for the Danish national team for one year and he accepted. When his contract expired, he refused to renew it, urging the Danish Football Association to get a proper coach. Rudi Strittich was chosen.
Hansen died in Copenhagen on January 12, 1990.
He is probably one of the best Danish players of all time and certainly one of Juve’s best. He arrived at Lazio at the end of his career and he was marred by injury that did not allow him to train properly. Still, he gave everything he could to the team. He was perhaps not all that skilful, but always knew how to be in the right place at the right time, and that is fundamental for a centre forward.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances | Goals |
1954-55 | 27 | 15 |
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