Jesper Håkansson is a Danish former professional footballer. He mostly appeared as a midfielder or a forward.
Club career
Håkansson can play as attacking midfield, winger or striker and has extensive experience having played in the Danish, Dutch and Swedish leagues. In 1997 Håkansson won the Danish under-17 Player of the Year award. He made his first team debut in the Danish 1st Division at age 16 making him the second youngest player BK Frem player ever after Sofus "Krølben". After leaving BK Frem in 1999 Håkansson trialled with Manchester United. He chose however to join Dutch Eredivisie club SC Heerenveen where he would get more game time. He scored a goal on his debut against Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. After a short loan stint at Viborg FF he returned to SC Heerenveen for one year before being loaned again, this time to RBC Roosendaal. He then joined Djurgårdens IF in Sweden where he only made one appearance. On 19 January 2007 Håkansson made his debut for ADO Den Haag against AZ Alkmaar. He then moved back to Denmark to play with Lyngby BK. He scored a goal in his last game for Lyngby BK on 24 May 2007 against F.C. Copenhagen. Håkansson signed a 2-year contract with the Newcastle United Jets on 30 July 2008 after a 1 week trial. He made his debut for the Newcastle Jets on 29 August 2008, in a crushing 5–0 defeat at the hands of Melbourne Victory. Things did not work out in Australia and he was released the 30 January 2009. On 13 March 2009 he signed with FC Amager but after less than a month they went bankrupt and he joined his former club BK Frem. After the season it was announced that BK Frem would only be allowed to sign amateur contracts and Håkansson had to find a new club for the third time in 6 months. In June 2009 it was announced that he would play for AB, an up-and-coming team in Denmark. AB bought Håkansson as a part of their strategy which is to achieve promotion to SAS Ligaen in 2010. The strategy failed and Håkansson was offered a free transfer, resulting in his sign up with FC Roskilde.
International career
He has represented Denmark at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels. He is the third youngest player to have represented Denmark at the under-21 level. In April 2007 he was called up for the Danish national team, but has not yet featured in a competitive game.
