Mads Roerslev

A right-back, Roerslev progressed through the academy at F.C. Copenhagen and made his senior debut as a second-half substitute for Frederik Bay in a Danish Cup third round match versus Jammerbugt FC on 26 October 2016.[1][2] He capped a dream debut with a goal in the 6–1 victory.[3] Roerslev made four further appearances during the 2016–17 season and signed a new four-year contract in May 2017.[1][4] He worked to improve his one-on-one defending with experienced right-back Tom Høgli.[5]

Down the pecking order at the Parken Stadium,[6] Roerslev appeared sparingly during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons.[1] He spent time away on loan at Halmstads BK and Vendsyssel FF,[7][8][9] but made few appearances for either club.[1] Roerslev departed FC Copenhagen in August 2019,[6] after making 13 appearances and scoring one goal during three seasons as a senior player at the club.[1]

On 7 August 2019, Roerslev moved to England to join the B team at Championship club Brentford on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed nominal fee.[2][10] Roerslev broke into the first team squad in October 2019 and by March 2020, after 10 appearances, his performances led to him signing a new four-year contract and being promoted into the first team squad.[11] Roerslev finished the 2019–20 season with 14 appearances.[12]

A metatarsal injury suffered on international duty saw Roerslev miss the first four months of the 2020–21 season.[13] He returned to match play in early January 2021 and after a number of substitute cameos, an injury to his mentor, Henrik Dalsgaard, allowed him to break into the starting lineup in early April.[13][14] He held onto his place until the end of the regular season and through the playoffs,[15] which culminated in promotion to the Premier League after victory in the 2021 Championship play-off final,[16] during which he assisted Emiliano Marcondes for one of the goals.[13] Roerslev finished a breakthrough 2020–21 season with 22 appearances.[15]

Following the release of first-choice right back Henrik Dalsgaard,[17] a change in formation to 3-5-2 saw Roerslev begin the 2021–22 season behind stand-in right wing back Sergi Canós in the pecking order and the pair traded the position during the season.[18] Approaching the midway point of the season, mounting injuries in the central defensive positions saw Roerslev deployed in a right centre back role.[19][20][21] He finished the 2021–22 season with 26 appearances and one goal, scored with the winner in a 2–1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on 2 January 2022.[22]

After beginning the 2022–23 behind new signing Aaron Hickey and right-sided central defender Kristoffer Ajer in the right back pecking order,[23] injuries to both players led to Roerslev assuming the starting right back role in mid-October 2022.[14] He signed a new three-year contract in February 2023 and finished the season with 23 appearances.[24][25]