Håvard Nordtveit
A versatile Norwegian defensive anchor whose career spanned Europe's top leagues before an early retirement to pursue business.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Norwegian footballer·Birthday: June 21·Millennials
Biography
Håvard Nordtveit's football journey began in the remote village of Vats, Norway, a path that led him to the famed academy of FK Haugesund. His potential was quickly spotted by German giants Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he honed his craft as a tactically intelligent defender and midfielder. Nordtveit's resilience and passing range became his trademarks during a significant stint in the Bundesliga, earning him a move to the English Premier League with West Ham United. While his time in London was challenging, he returned to Germany with Hoffenheim, contributing to their European campaigns. In a move that surprised many, he stepped away from professional football in his early thirties, shifting his focus to entrepreneurship and his family's business interests in Norway, closing a chapter on a solid, continent-spanning career.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Håvard was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Håvard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Håvard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Made over 150 appearances in the German Bundesliga for clubs including Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hoffenheim.
- Earned a transfer to the English Premier League with West Ham United in 2016.
- Represented the Norwegian national team at multiple youth levels and earned his senior debut in 2011.
- Played a key role in Hoffenheim's qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the 2017-18 season.
Did You Know?
He is a certified electrician, having completed his apprenticeship alongside his early football career.
Nordtveit retired from professional football to run a chain of car wash and detailing businesses in Norway.
He played in the same youth national teams as fellow Norwegian star Martin Ødegaard.
“You learn more about football in a relegation battle than in ten comfortable mid-table seasons.”
