# AaB Fodbold

AaB, (full name: Aalborg Boldspilklub, pronounced) internationally referred to as Aalborg BK, or sometimes also known as AaB Aalborg, is a professional football team located in Aalborg. The club plays in the Danish Superliga. The club was represented in the NordicBet Liga from 2023 to 2024 after relegation from Danish Superliga in 2022–23 and has won four Danish football Championships and three Danish Cup trophies. Most recently the team won the double in 2014.
AaB was founded on 13 May 1885 by English engineers who were building Jutland's railway system, and the first years were concentrated on the game of cricket. It was initially named Aalborg Cricketklub (Aalborg Cricket club) but the name of the club was changed to Aalborg Boldklub (Aalborg ballclub) in 1899. Football was adopted on an amateur basis in 1902, and has since been the main sport, as the name was changed to the current Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885 (Aalborg ballgameclub of 1885) in 1906.
In 1995 AaB became the first Danish team to participate in the UEFA Champions League group stage when they were awarded a place because Dynamo Kyiv was expelled from the tournament after one game for attempted match-fixing. AaB qualified for the 2008–09 Champions League and is with two appearances the Danish club who has participated the second most in the tournament after F.C. Copenhagen.

## History

AaB was founded on 13 May 1885 by English engineers who were building Jutland's railway system, and the first years was concentrated on the game of cricket. It was initially named Aalborg Cricketklub (Aalborg Cricket club) but the name of the club was changed to Aalborg Boldklub (Aalborg ballclub) in 1899. Football was adopted on an amateur basis in 1902, and has since been the main sport, as the name was changed to the current Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885 (Aalborg ballgameclub of 1885) in 1906.
Aalborg BK was part of the top-flight Danish leagues from the 1928–29 season, until the relegation of the club in 1947. The club returned to the best league in 1963, and except from the years of 1972, 1978 and 1981–1986, Aalborg BK has since been a part of the various editions of the Danish football championship. Despite its many years in the Danish championship, the club never won a championship title, but Aalborg BK won the Danish Cup competition in 1966 and 1970. Paid football was introduced in Denmark by the Danish Football Association in 1978. As Aalborg BK returned to the best Danish league, the club founded the professional branch of AaB A/S in 1987 to run a professional football team.
Through the 1990s, the club won its first two Danish championships. In the Danish Superliga 1994-95 season, 24 goals from league topscorer Erik Bo Andersen secured the championship title for the team of coach Poul Erik Andreasen. The club was initially eliminated by Dynamo Kyiv in the qualification matches for the UEFA Champions League 1995-96, but following a bribing scandal Kyiv was banned from the tournament and Aalborg BK entered in their place. Aalborg BK thus became the first Danish team to compete in the UEFA Champions League. As they managed a 2–1 home win over Panathinaikos and a 2–2 draw with Porto in the six matches the club played in the initial group stage, Aalborg BK was eliminated. Erik Bo Andersen left the club for Scottish club Rangers, but in Søren Frederiksen, the club found its next goal-getter. Though not the league top scorer, Frederiksen scored 17 goals in the Danish Superliga 1998-99 which the club won under guidance of Swedish coach Hans Backe. Once again, Aalborg BK faced Dinamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualification, but again felt short, losing 1–2 at home and drawing 2–2 in Kyiv after a late Aalborg BK goal was disallowed for being behind the goal line.
Since then, the club established itself in the top half of the Superliga and won a bronze medal and qualified for the 2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup. Aalborg beat Honka on the away goals rule (2–2 in Finland and 1–1 in Denmark) in the second round, and in the third and final round Aalborg BK faced Gent and drew, 1–1, in the away game but beat them 2–1 in the following home match. Thus they "won" a place in the UEFA Cup's second qualification round and met HJK, the first match ended 2–1 to Helsinki, but in the last match Aalborg BK won 3–0 and were thus ready for the UEFA Cup 2007-08. Drawing the Italian team Sampdoria in the First Round, which have Antonio Cassano and Vincenzo Montella as notable players, made the task seem impossible. Aalborg made it again on the away goal rule (getting 2–2 in Genoa and managing 0–0 in Aalborg), and qualified for the group stage – being the first Danish team ever, to send an Italian team "out of Europe." In the group stage Aalborg BK was seeded in the lowest pot, and drew Anderlecht, Tottenham Hotspur, Getafe, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Drawing with Anderlecht at home, and losing 2–3 to Tottenham (after being ahead 2–0 after the first half) forced Aalborg to win at home against Getafe, a match Aalborg BK lost 1–2.
In the 2007–08 season, Aalborg won their third Danish Championship and qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. in the second qualifying round, Aalborg easily eliminated FK Modriča 7–1 on aggregate. In the third round, before the group stage, they defeated FBK Kaunas 2–0 both at home and away and reached the group stage of the Champions League for the second time, the first time a Danish team achieved this. In the group stage, they were drawn in Group E along with defending champions Manchester United, Villarreal and Celtic. Aalborg finished third in the group, ahead of Celtic, with 6 points and progressed to the 2008–09 UEFA Cup knockout stage.
Their first match in their UEFA Cup run was against Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña. Aalborg BK won the first leg at home 3–0 and the second leg at the Estadio Riazor 1–3, securing a 6–1 aggregate. Aalborg BK thereby earned a place among the last 16 teams. where they faced Manchester City. After a 2–0 loss in Manchester in the first leg Aalborg BK fought back to tie the score with a 2–0 win at home. The tie ended in agony however, as Aalborg were defeated by 4–3 on penalties.
On 11 May 2014, the club won their 4th Danish Championship, and four days later the double was secured, as the club defeated F.C. Copenhagen 4–2 in the Cup final.
On 3 June 2023, AaB suffered relegation to Danish 1st Division for the first time since 1986 and the first after the establishment of the Danish Superliga in 1991, due to finishing in last place.

## Stadium

Since 1920, Aalborg BK has played its games at Aalborg Stadion. The stadium was opened on 18 July 1920 with a north–south aligned playing field. The first spectator seats were built in 1927, and in 1937 a wooden terrace for 3,000 standing spectators was built. In 1960, the stadium burned down and a new east-western aligned concrete stadium was opened in 1962. In recent years the stadium has been enlarged and rebuilt so that it now has modern facilities and roof over all spectator stands. The stadium currently has a capacity of 13,997 people (8,997 seats) or 10,500 people (all seats).

## Supporters and rivalries

Aalborg BK's official fanclub is AaB Support Club. Formed in 1990, it is one of the oldest fanclubs in Denmark. Aalborg BK's fan-culture is thriving, with both official and unofficial groups like Auxilia Ultras, AaB Tifo Kaos and Generationen offering fanatical support at all games home and away. All fan groups for Aalborg BK, both official and unofficial also work together under the name "Vesttribunen" (The Western-Stand), in reference to the tribune where the active fans stand. Some Ultras of Aalborg BK have a friendship with those of Hammarby IF and SK Brann.
AaB's traditional rivals are AGF with whom they contest "Den Jyske Klassiker" (The Jutland Classic), a match between the two largest cities and most popular clubs in Jylland. The rivalry was most prominent in the 70's, 80's and 90's and has since declined in tension due to both clubs starting to see FC Copenhagen and Brøndby IF as greater rivals. The creation of Randers FC also saw a new local-rivalry for AGF which eased the tension with AaB as AGF developed a new and very intense rivalry with Randers FC. The Jutland Classic is however still considered one of the biggest games in Danish football, and the history and rivalry between the two clubs shows on matchday with massive crowds, bold chanting and fanatical support between both sets of fans. The fans of both clubs still considers it one of the biggest and most important games of the season.

## Players
### Current squad

    As of 2 February 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | GER | Vincent Müller |
| 2 | DF | SEN | Oumar Diakhité |
| 4 | DF | NED | Lars Kramer |
| 5 | DF | DEN | Marc Nielsen |
| 6 | MF | NED | Mylian Jimenez |
| 7 | FW | ENG | Jubril Adedeji |
| 8 | MF | SWE | Melker Widell (on loan from Swansea) |
| 9 | FW | DEN | Nicklas Helenius |
| 10 | FW | DEN | Oliver Ross |
| 11 | FW | DEN | Mathias Jørgensen |
| 13 | DF | GER | Bjarne Pudel |
| 14 | DF | DEN | Andreas Bruus (on loan from Troyes) |
| 16 | MF | DEN | Kasper Davidsen |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 17 | MF | USA | Andres Jasson |
| 19 | FW | GER | Aaron Seydel |
| 20 | DF | DEN | Kasper Jørgensen |
| 21 | MF | DEN | Mads Bomholt |
| 22 | GK | NED | Rody de Boer |
| 23 | MF | NOR | Isak Hansen-Aarøen (on loan from Werder Bremen) |
| 24 | DF | ISL | Nóel Atli Arnórsson |
| 26 | MF | NOR | Travis Hernes (on loan from Newcastle) |
| 27 | FW | TAN | Kelvin John |
| 28 | MF | DEN | Valdemar Møller |
| 33 | DF | SWE | Elison Makolli |
| 37 | FW | DEN | Amar Diagne |

### Youth players in use 2024-25

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 25 | MF | DEN | Christian Tcacenco |
| 39 | FW | DEN | Bertram Skovgaard |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 44 | DF | DEN | Malthe Kjølby |
| 50 | GK | DEN | Bertil Grønkjær |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 35 | DF | GHA | Eugene Amankwah (at Thisted FC until 30 June 2025) |

### Retired numbers

12 – Torben Boye, defender (1984–2001)

### Notable former players
## Current management

| Position | Staff |
| Sports director | James Gow (2024–) |
| Head coach | Menno van Dam (2024–) |
| Assistant coach | Mathias Haugaasen (2024–) |
| Assistant coach | Jack Cassidy (2024–) |
| Goalkeeping coach | Poul Buus (2007–) |
| Head of Performance | Pierre Gillo (2024–) |
AaB Fodbold is owned by AaB A/S.

## Head coaches

* Kaarlo Niilonen (1960–70)
The following managers have coached AaB since it re-entered the Danish top-flight in 1986:
* Peter Rudbæk (1983–89)
* Poul Erik Andreasen (1 July 1990–95)
* Sepp Piontek (1 July 1995–96)
* Per Westergaard (1996–97)
* Lars Søndergaard (1997)
* Hans Backe (1998–00)
* Peter Rudbæk (2000–02)
* Poul Erik Andreasen (2002–03)
* Søren Kusk Larsen (2003)
* Erik Hamrén (1 January 2004 – 30 May 2008)
* Bruce Rioch (1 July 2008 – 23 October 2008)
* Allan Kuhn (interim) (24 October 2008 – 31 December 2008)
* Magnus Pehrsson (1 January 2009 – 11 October 2010)
* Kent Nielsen (11 October 2010 – 30 June 2015)
* Lars Søndergaard (22 June 2015 – 15 December 2016)
* Morten Wieghorst (2 January 2017 – 25 November 2018)
* Jacob Friis (25 November 2018 – 29 October 2020)
* Peter Feher (interim) (29 October 2020 – 31 December 2020)
* Martí Cifuentes (1 January 2021 – 24 January 2022)
* Oscar Hiljemark (interim) (24 January 2022 – 9 March 2022)
* Lars Friis (9 March 2022 – 15 September 2022)
* Erik Hamrén (15 September 2022 – 20 March 2023)
* Oscar Hiljemark (20 March 2023 – 16 April 2024)
* Mathias Haugaasen (interim) (16 April 2024 – 27 May 2024)
* Menno van Dam (27 May 2024 – )

## Honours
### Domestic
#### Leagues

* Danish Superliga
** Winner (4): 1994–95, 1998–99, 2007–08, 2013–14
** 3rd place (3): 1935–36, 1969, 2006–07
* Danish 1st Division
** Winner (2): 1962, 1978
** 2nd place (1): 2023-24
* Danish 2nd Division
** Winner (1): 1984
* 49 seasons in the Highest Danish League
* 19 seasons in the Second Highest Danish League
* 5 seasons in the Third Highest Danish League

#### Cups

* Danish Cup
** Winner (3): 1965–66, 1969–70, 2013–14
** Runner-up (10): 1966–67, 1986–87, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2008–09, 2019–20, 2022–23
* Danish Supercup
** Runner-up (3): 1995, 1999, 2004
* Viasat Cup
** Runner-up (1): 2006
* Provinsmesterskabsturneringen
** Winner (1): 1928
** Runner-up (1): 1929

### European

* UEFA Champions League
** Group stage (2): 1995–96, 2008–09
** Play-off round (1): 2014–15
** 3rd qualifying round (1): 1999–2000
* UEFA Europa League
** Round of 16 (1): 2008–09
** Round of 32 (1): 2014–15
** Group stage (1): 2007–08
** 1st round (3): 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2004–05
** 2nd qualifying round (2): 2009–10, 2013–14
* UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
** 1st round (3): 1966–67, 1970–71, 1987–88
* UEFA Intertoto Cup
** Co-winner (1): 2007
** Group participants (3): 1996, 1997, 2000

## Seasons

    Season Competition Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup Spring 1895 Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A Spring 1903 Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A 1906–1907 Jutland A-Series Final W Unknown N/A 1906–1907 Jutland A-Series Final W Unknown N/A 1907–08 Jutland Circut W Unknown N/A Jutland A-Series Circut Final L 1N/A 02N/A 1908–09 Unknown N/A 1909–10 Jutland A-Series Semi-final W 1N/A unk.unk.N/A N/A Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 41N/A 1910–11 Jutland A-Series Semi-final W 1N/A 21N/A N/A Jutland A-Series Final D 1N/A 11N/A Jutland A-Series Final Replay W 1N/A 10N/A 1911–12 Jutland A-Series Circut Final W 1N/A 31N/A N/A Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 15N/A 1912–13 Jutland A-Series Semi-final W 1N/A 40N/A DNQ Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 24N/A 1913–14 Jutland A-Series Semi-final W 1N/A 90N/A DNQ Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 24N/A 1914–15 Jutland A-Series North Circut 2 3201 434 DNQ Jutland A-Series North Circuit 1 1st place rematch W 1N/A 41N/A Jutland A-Series North Circuit Final W 1N/A 51N/A Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 12N/A 1915–16 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 2 6321 unk.unk.8 DNQ 1916–17 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 2 6321 unk.unk.8 DNQ 1917–18 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 3 6114 6123 DNQ 1918–19 Jutland A-Series North Circut 2 2 6402 unk.unk.8 DNQ 1918–19 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 1 6420 23810 DNQ Jutland A-Series Circut Final L 1N/A 02N/A 1919–20 Jutland A-Series North Circut 2 1 6501 27910 DNQ Jutland A-Series Circut Semi-final W 1N/A 74N/A Jutland A-Series Circut Final W 1N/A 51N/A Jutland A-Series Final L 1N/A 35N/A 1920–21 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 1 8521 341912 DNQ Jutland A-Series Circut Final L 1N/A 35N/A 1921–22 Jutland A-Series North Circut 1 2 6213 15125 DNQ 1922–23 Jutland A-Series 1st Circut 2 8unk.12 DNQ 1923–24 Jutland A-Series 2nd Circut 2 7unk.9 DNQ 1924–25 Jutland A-Series 1st Circut 1 6510 22411 DNQ Jutland A-Series Circut Semi-finals W 1N/A 32N/A Jutland A-Series Circut Finals W 1N/A 110N/A Jutland A-Series Final W 1N/A 81N/A Jutland Qualification to Championship Series W 1N/A 21N/A 1924–25 Jutland Championship Series 2 10433 272211 DNQ 1926–27 Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 10604 412412 DNQ 1927–28 Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10631 292015 N/A Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 604 1928–29 Danish Championship Tournament 3rd Circuit 3 4202 10144 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10901 361318 Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 743 1929–30 Championship Series 7 9225 19346 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10802 381916 Jutland Championship Finals W 2200 724 1930–31 Championship Series 7 9306 26466 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 10604 372512 1931–32 Championship Series 6 9324 28348 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 10613 312113 Jutland Championship Finals W 3201 1074 1932–33 Championship Series 5 9423 281510 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 1 141202 502524 Jutland Championship Finals W 3201 644 1933–34 Championship Series 8 9306 24396 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14824 492818 1934–35 Championship Series 9 9216 17215 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14734 382917 1935–36 Championship Series 3 9423 251610 N/A Jutland Championship North Circuit 2 14914 392319 1936–37 Championship Series 6 18729 284516 N/A Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals L 1N/A 23N/A 1937–38 Championship Series 7 18558 444115 N/A 1938–39 Championship Series 4 18747 312818 N/A Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals L 1N/A 13N/A 1939–40 Championship Series 7 18738 303217 N/A 1940–41 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 3 12642 211216 N/A Danish Tournament Quarter-final L 1N/A 25N/A Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals W 1N/A 10N/A Jutland Championship Series Finals W 1N/A 31N/A 1941–42 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 2 181044 362224 N/A Danish Tournament Quarter-final L 1N/A 01N/A Jutland Championship Series Semi-finals W 1N/A 43N/A Jutland Championship Series Finals W 1N/A 31N/A 1942–43 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 5 18918 283119 N/A 1943–44 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 5 18738 353617 N/A 1944–45 Danish Tournament 1st Circuit 3 6123 8144 N/A 1945–46 Danish 1st Division 9 184113 22519 N/A 1945–46 Danish 1st Division 9 186210 193814 N/A 1946–47 Danish 1st Division 10 184113 22519 N/A 1947–48 Danish 2nd Division 3 18936 363221 N/A 1948–49 Danish 2nd Division 4 18756 301919 N/A 1949–50 Danish 2nd Division 6 18738 293517 N/A Jutland Championship Series Semi-final W 1N/A 21N/A Jutland Championship Series Final L 1N/A 01N/A 1950–51 Danish 2nd Division 3 18945 372622 N/A 1951–52 Danish 2nd Division 9 183510 294211 N/A 1952–53 Danish 2nd Division 8 186111 283713 N/A 1953–54 Danish 2nd Division 5 18747 414218 N/A 1954–55 Danish 2nd Division 10 183510 234511 4th round 1955–56 Danish 3rd Division 5 22958 474523 4th round 1956–57 Danish 3rd Division 5 3318510 845041 3rd round 1958 Danish 2nd Division 8 226610 334618 3rd round 1959 Danish 2nd Division 7 228410 465320 2nd round 1960 Danish 2nd Division 6 22778 333821 2nd round 1961 Danish 2nd Division 3 221264 533030 2nd round 1962 Danish 2nd Division 1 221255 434029 4th round 1963 Danish 1st Division 11 227411 304618 3rd round 1964 Danish 2nd Division 2 221435 563231 3rd round 1965 Danish 1st Division 7 22778 322721 2nd round 1966 Danish 1st Division 9 229211 323220 Winner 1967 Danish 1st Division 5 22796 383623 final 1968 Danish 1st Division 7 22778 373521 quarter-final 1969 Danish 1st Division 3 221255 522629 semi-final 1970 Danish 1st Division 8 229310 342921 Winner 1971 Danish 1st Division 11 227411 374718 3rd round 1972 Danish 2nd Division 2 221246 604028 3rd round 1973 Danish 1st Division 6 22697 323021 3rd round 1974 Danish 1st Division 10 22679 354119 semi-final 1975 Danish 1st Division 7 3014511 634933 semi-final 1976 Danish 1st Division 4 301578 554137 4th round 1977 Danish 1st Division 14 3061014 334322 semi-final 1978 Danish 2nd Division 1 301785 643642 semi-final 1979 Danish 1st Division 12 3010614 424526 2nd round 1980 Danish 1st Division 16 302226 27856 2nd round 1981 Danish 2nd Division 14 308517 265521 3rd round 1982 Danish 3rd Division 10 3011613 454028 3rd round 1983 Danish 3rd Division 10 3012612 454330 1st round 1984 Danish 3rd Division 1 302163 773748 4th round 1985 Danish 2nd Division 5 301488 604836 semi-final 1986 Danish 2nd Division 2 3013125 563638 2nd round 1987 Danish 1st Division 10 267613 273820 final 1988 Danish 1st Division 11 268612 335022 4th round 1989 Danish 1st Division 11 265912 303919 quarter-final 1990 Danish 1st Division 10 268108 323426 4th round 1991 Danish Superliga 6 18657 293317 final 1991–92 Danish Superliga 4 18675 292519 quarter-final Danish Superliga Playoffs 5 14455 161913+10 1992–93 Danish Superliga 3 18774 251721 final Danish Superliga Playoffs 4 14554 232315+11 1993–94 Danish Superliga 6 18495 282517 quarter-final Danish Superliga Playoffs 5 14464 181914+9 1994–95 Danish Superliga 2 181224 442526 semi-final Danish Superliga Playoffs 1 14743 301318+13 1995–96 Danish Superliga 5 3315612 573851 quarter-final 1996–97 Danish Superliga 5 33121110 464047 quarter-final 1997–98 Danish Superliga 7 3312813 544844 quarter-final 1998–99 Danish Superliga 1 3317133 653764 final 1999–00 Danish Superliga 5 3312138 574049 final 2000–01 Danish Superliga 5 33131010 514949 5th round 2001–02 Danish Superliga 4 3316611 524554 quarter-final 2002–03 Danish Superliga 6 3314415 424546 semi-final 2003–04 Danish Superliga 5 331698 554157 final 2004–05 Danish Superliga 4 3315810 594553 5th round 2005–06 Danish Superliga 5 33111210 484445 semi-final 2006–07 Danish Superliga 3 331878 553461 2nd round 2007–08 Danish Superliga 1 332256 603871 4th round 2008–09 Danish Superliga 7 3391212 404939 final 2009–10 Danish Superliga 5 3313911 363048 4th round 2010–11 Danish Superliga 10 3381114 384835 quarter-final 2011–12 Danish Superliga 7 3312813 424844 2nd round 2012–13 Danish Superliga 5 3313812 514647 4th round 2013–14 Danish Superliga 1 331887 603862 Winner 2014–15 Danish Superliga 5 3313911 393148 quarter-final 2015–16 Danish Superliga 5 3315513 564450 semi-final 2016–17 Danish Superliga 10 3410816 314938 quarter-final 2017–18 Danish Superliga 5 36101511 384445 quarter-final 2018–19 Danish Superliga 9 34101212 444442 semi-final 2019–20 Danish Superliga 5 3616614 544454 final 2020–21 Danish Superliga 7 32121010 444146 4th round 2021–22 Danish Superliga 5 3213613 474545 4th round 2022–23 Danish Superliga 12 326917 344527 final 2023–24 Danish 1st Division 2 321985 663865 4th round