# Elias Melkersen

Elias Hoff Melkersen (born 31 December 2002) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays for Strømsgodset as a forward.

## Club career
### Early career

Melkersen played in his native Norway with Bodø/Glimt, Hødd and Ranheim.

### Hibernian

Melkersen signed for Scottish club Hibernian in January 2022. Melkersen's transfer was delayed due to work permit issues.
Melkersen and Norwegian compatriot Runar Hauge made their Hibernian debuts on 2 March 2022, both appearing as substitutes. Following the match, and a later injury to Kevin Nisbet, Hibernian manager Shaun Maloney praised Melkersen's hard work and told him to 'step up' to first-team football. On 13 March 2022, Melkersen scored a brace in his first start for Hibernian, both proving decisive in the club's 2–1 win in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals against Motherwell.
Melkersen moved on loan to Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam in January 2023. He returned to Hibs at the end of the 2022–23 season, and made a few appearances early in the 2023–24 season before moving on loan to Strømsgodset.

### Stromsgodset

The loan at Strømsgodset was successful, as Melkersen scored four goals and their manager Jørgen Isnes said he wished to sign the player permanently. A deal was agreed in December 2023, with the Norwegian club paying £1.2 million for the transfer. Melkersen signed a five-year contract with Strømsgodset.

## International career

Melkersen is a Norwegian youth international, representing them at under-17, under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels. He made his debut at under-21 level in a goalless draw with Scotland in June 2023.

## Career statistics

    As of 2 June 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Europe | Europe | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bodø/Glimt 2 | 2018 | 4. divisjon | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Bodø/Glimt 2 | 2019 | 3. divisjon | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 4 |
| Bodø/Glimt 2 | Total | Total | 14 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 5 |
| Bodø/Glimt | 2019 | Eliteserien | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Bodø/Glimt | 2020 | Eliteserien | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Bodø/Glimt | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Hødd (loan) | 2020 | 2. divisjon | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 |
| Ranheim (loan) | 2021 | 1. divisjon | 26 | 17 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 19 |
| Hibernian | 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 2 |
| Hibernian | 2022–23 | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 17 | 1 |
| Hibernian | 2023–24 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Hibernian | Total | Total | 24 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 3 |
| Sparta Rotterdam (loan) | 2022–23 | Eredivisie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| Strømsgodset (loan) | 2023 | Eliteserien | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 4 |
| Strømsgodset | 2024 | Eliteserien | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 4 |
| Strømsgodset | Total | Total | 23 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 26 | 8 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 96 | 33 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 111 | 39 |
* ↑ Includes Norwegian Cup, Scottish Cup
* ↑ Includes Scottish League Cup
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League