Peter Løvenkrands

Peter Rosenkrands Løvenkrands (born 29 January 1980) is a Danish football manager and former professional player. A striker or winger, he was best known for his speed.

Løvenkrands started his career at home with Akademisk Boldklub, winning the 1999 Danish Cup. He then spent six years at Scottish side Rangers, where he collected seven major trophies, including two Scottish Premier League titles. After moving to Germany’s Schalke 04 in 2006, he lost his place in the team during his final season and transferred to Premier League club Newcastle United in early 2009. Following three and a half seasons there, he joined Birmingham City, who released him after the 2013–14 season, prompting his retirement.

He was named Danish Under-19 Player of the Year in 1998. Løvenkrands earned 21 caps for Denmark, scoring one goal, and represented his country at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.

Born in Hørsholm, Løvenkrands signed his first professional deal with Danish Superliga side Akademisk Boldklub in February 1998. He made his Superliga debut that July and was soon tipped as a future international by manager Christian Andersen. He was part of AB’s 1999 Danish Cup-winning squad, though he did not play in the final against Aalborg BK.

Løvenkrands joined Rangers for £1.4 million in June 2000. After debuting in a league match against Dunfermline, he featured only sporadically in his first season, making ten appearances across all competitions. The following campaign he played more often, scoring his first goal in a UEFA Cup tie against Dynamo Moscow. He went on to make 182 appearances for Rangers, scoring 54 goals, including a last-minute winner against Celtic in the 2002 Scottish Cup Final.

During his time at Ibrox, he was often deployed out of position on the left wing rather than as a centre forward. In the 2005–06 season, he played both as a centre forward and left winger, recording his highest goal tally for the club. In August 2005 he trialled with Middlesbrough but chose not to move. He played a key role in Rangers’ run to the Champions League last 16 that season, scoring four goals in the competition: he opened the scoring in a 3–2 win over Porto, netted in a 1–1 draw with Inter Milan to secure progression, and scored home and away against Villarreal before Rangers were eliminated on away goals. He finished the 2005–06 SPL season with 14 goals, his best league return for the club.

After six years at Rangers, his contract expired in summer 2006 and he left on a free transfer. He was linked with Osasuna, Roma, and Newcastle United before signing for Schalke 04 on 23 May 2006, joining fellow Dane Søren Larsen. His first season was successful: playing as a left winger, he contributed six goals and four assists. However, an injury late in the campaign sidelined him as Schalke missed out on the Bundesliga title.

His second season was less fruitful; after a run of poor performances and injuries, he lost his starting spot. Though fit by February 2008, he did not start under interim coaches Mike Büskens and Youri Mulder, and new coach Fred Rutten left him out entirely even as Schalke struggled. During the winter break, the club announced it would sell him and moved him to the reserve team alongside Albert Streit and Carlos Grossmüller. Having played just nine minutes for the first team in the 2008–09 season, he was released in January 2009.

Løvenkrands joined Newcastle United on a two-week trial and signed a contract until the end of the season on 23 January 2009. He debuted as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Manchester City. After another substitute appearance in a 1–1 draw with Sunderland, he made his first start against West Bromwich Albion on 7 February, scoring Newcastle’s second goal in a 3–2 win. On 4 March, he scored the opening goal against Manchester United, ending Edwin van der Sar’s run of 1,311 minutes without conceding. On 11 May, he scored in a 3–1 win over Middlesbrough, but Newcastle lost their final two matches and were relegated to the Championship. His contract expired on 1 July 2009. He returned to Newcastle on 1 September 2009 on a three-year deal, taking the number 11 shirt. His second spell started slowly, with limited appearances.