Maurits Kjaergaard had come to the Red Bull Arena for what he thought would be a routine interview, when suddenly Michael Sahl Hansen, the director of the Danish footballers' association, appeared. He wasn't there just to pay any old visit to Mau either, as he presented him the trophy for Danish Male Talent of the Year 2022.
I thought it would be a normal day with a short interview. It really means a lot to me, that goes without saying. I play in incredibly strong teams though - both at club level as well as with the national team - with good team-mates around me who help me to improve. I have to therefore thank my team-mates for this!
Our 19-year-old midfield dynamo became a regular for our Red Bulls in 2022. Maurits started every match we had in the UEFA Champions League this season, while in the Austrian Bundesliga he has seven goal involvements already.
The prize for the young Danish talent of the year is presented jointly by the players' association and Danish football association (DBU) to the most promising player in Denmark or overseas who is under 22 years old at the time of the vote. The list of past winners includes big names like Simon Kjaer, Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as well as Mikkel Damsgaard, who won last year.
They are incredible names. I try not to put myself under pressure though. I want to play my football in the way I always have. That is what has brought me this far. I try to play the best football I can every day and give my best.
🇩🇰 Maurits Kjaergaard receiving his Rookie of the Year award!
— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) February 15, 2023
Talk about a pleasant surprise 🤩
🎥 @Spillerforening / @dbulandsholdpic.twitter.com/swyAJ0rE46
