Bodø/Glimt are clear favourites this season to win the Eliteserien, which is actually not where the ambitions of Norway’s best club lie.
Bodø/Glimt are ready for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and host Lazio at Aspmyra on April 10.
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Haitam Aleesami has signed a deal from the YMCA worth NOK 3 million, and the 33-year-old has played for a number of clubs in Europe, including Gothenburg, Palermo and Apollon Limassol. Now a transition to the all-yellow in the north awaits.
In the past year, he has played for KFUM, and thus played twice against Bodø/Glimt in 2024. On Friday, he arrived in Bodø to carry out a medical check and to sign for his new club.
“It feels good to be here. I had a desire to come to Bodø. It has been a long process, but in the end we reached the finish line,” says a delighted Haitam Aleesami in his first interview with glimt.no.
Aleesami has signed with Glimt until the end of the 2026 season. He is delighted to have the opportunity to play for the reigning champion of Norwegian football. “When Glimt first showed interest, I thought it was flattering. Then you see what Glimt has been up to in recent years, it is clear that it is almost impossible to say no to it,” says Aleesami.
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He has followed Bodø/Glimt for a long period of time, and is impressed by what he has seen.
“I’ve been following the team properly, and I’ve played with some of the guys before in the national team. It is clear that Bodø/Glimt have asserted themselves properly in Europe the last couple of years, and are even in a quarter-final in the Europa League now, it is big and strong. Obviously, you want to be part of a group like that,” says the defender.
– Several roles
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen says that Glimt will get an experienced player to Bodø.
“He is a player who can fill several roles. We are a bit thinly studded at the back in some positions. Haitam is a type with a lot of experience, and the fact that he wants to come to Bodø is fantastic for us. We are very much looking forward to getting him into our mindset and our way of playing, says Kjetil Knutsen to glimt.no.
Aleesami is pleased with Knutsen’s words:
“Something will be new, there is no doubt about that. There are probably some other cycles and training methods I have to familiarize myself with, but in the end it’s the same sport, where you are judged on performance,” says the 33-year-old.
