Rune Lange (born 24 June 1977) is a Norwegian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Rune Lange
Personal information
Date of birth (1977-06-24) 24 June 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Tromsø, Norway
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Fløya
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Fløya 32 (39)
1995–1997 Tromsdalen 54 (30)
1997–2000 Tromsø 72 (50)
2000 Trabzonspor 12 (5)
2001–2006 Club Brugge 108 (52)
2006–2008 Vålerenga 17 (2)
2008Tromsø (loan) 3 (0)
2009Hartlepool United (loan) 3 (1)
2009 Kvik Halden 2 (1)
Total 303 (200)
International career
1997 Norway U20 1 (0)
1998–1999 Norway U21 18 (2)
2004 Norway 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Lange hails from the city of Tromsø and joined the club Fløya at the age of five. As a 17-year-old, he became top scorer in the 3. divisjon (fourth tier) with 33 goals in 22 matches, and then moved on to play for Tromsdalen in the 1. divisjon (2nd tier). Lange stayed with the club for three seasons, during which he experienced a relegation and a season in the 2. divisjon (3rd tier).

During the summer of 1997, Lange signed for Tromsø, which played in the Tippeligaen (first tier). He scored seven goals in 11 matches for Tromsø during his first season, and nearly experienced another relegation, but Tromsø survived after having to play qualification matches. Lange also debuted for the Norway under-20 football team. In 1998, Lange scored 20 goals in 26 matches, and was almost sold to Coventry City. Lange stayed at Tromsø, however, as he could not come to an agreement with Coventry on the contract details. In 1999, Lange become top scorer of the Norwegian top division, scoring 23 goals. Lange also made his debut for the Norway U21s that season.

In 2000, Lange started as a player for Tromsø, but was sold to the Turkish side Trabzonspor in July. Lange only played 14 matches and scored seven goals in Turkey.

In April 2001 he moved to Belgian side Club Brugge, the team where he played until 2006.

In 2004, Lange debuted for the Norway national team, playing against Wales.

In February 2009, Lange signed for Hartlepool United on loan until the end of the 2008-09 season.[1][2] In his third game for Hartlepool, his shoulder was dislocated. On 13 March 2009, Lange had surgery on his injured shoulder and was scheduled not to return to training for at least six weeks.

In September 2009 he signed for Kvik Halden (in the fourth tier of Norwegian football) until the remainder of the season,[3] making four appearances (two league games and both play-off games).

As of March 2011 he was working as a scout for his former employer, Club Brugge.[4]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Fløya 1993 3. divisjon 10 6
1994 22 33
Total 32 39
Tromsdalen 1995 1. divisjon 21 4
1996 21 11
1997 2. divisjon 12 15
Total 54 30
Tromsø 1997 Tippeligaen 9 4 0 0 4 2 13 6
1998 26 20 2 1 28 21
1999 26 23 5 5 31 28
2000 11 3 1 1 12 4
Total 72 50 8 7 4 2 84 59
Trabzonspor 2000–01 Süper Lig 12 5
Club Brugge 2000–01 Belgian First Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2001–02 33 20 6 3 7 4 46 27
2002–03 11 4 0 0 6 2 17 6
2003–04 26 12 6 2 7 3 40 17
2004–05 32 15 6 4 10 3 49 23
2005–06 2 2 0 0 2 0 4 2
Total 108 53 18 9 32 12 160 75
Vålerenga 2006 Tippeligaen 6 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
2007 11 2 2 0 2 1 15 3
2008 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 17 2 3 0 3 1 23 3
Tromsø 2008 Tippeligaen 3 0 3 0
Hartlepool United 2008–09 League 1 3 1 3 1
Career total 300 180

Honours

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Club Brugge

References

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  1. ^ "Pools bring in Norwegian striker". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  2. ^ "Vålerenga-spiller fristilt". Vålerenga Fotball. 17 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  3. ^ Johansen, Per Christian (24 September 2009). "Lange gjør comeback". Folkebladet.no. Archived from the original on 27 September 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Clement, Brylle en Van der Heyden in technische staf Club". HLN. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
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