 | ||||
| Full name | Lillestrøm Sportsklubb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | Kanarifugla,Fugla (The Canaries, The Birds) | |||
| Short name | LSK | |||
| Founded | 2 April 1917; 108 years ago (1917-04-02) | |||
| Ground | Åråsen Stadion Lillestrøm | |||
| Capacity | 12,250[1] | |||
| Chairman | Morten Kokkim | |||
| Head coach | Hans Erik Ødegaard | |||
| League | 1. divisjon | |||
| 2025 | 1. divisjon, 1st of 16 (promoted) | |||
| Website | www | |||
 Current season | ||||
Lillestrøm Sportsklubb is aNorwegian professionalfootball club based in the city ofLillestrøm, just outside of the capitalOslo, currently playing in1. divisjon. The club was founded in 1917, after the merger of two local football clubs. Their home ground isÅråsen Stadion, which has a capacity of 12,250 people, while the principal training ground isLillestrøm stadion,[2] or the indoor arena,LSK-Hallen. The club holds the Norwegian record for the most consecutive years without being relegated, having played 45 seasons from 1975 until 2019. Over the years the club has had around 40 players who have represented theNorwegian national team. There has also been a number of foreigners who have represented the national teams ofthe United States,Sweden,Iceland,Senegal,Finland,Malta,Australia,South Africa,Slovenia,Tunisia,Canada,Somalia, andNigeria.
Lillestrøm SK was founded on 2 April 1917. It has beenNorwegian League champions five times, most recently in 1989, and also in 1986, 1977, 1976 and 1959. Additionally, they have won theNorwegian Cup in 1985, 1981, 1978, 1977, 2007 and 2017.[3]
WhenArne Erlandsen left for Sweden andIFK Göteborg after the2004 season, former LSK player andGerman internationalUwe Rösler took over as head coach of the team. His first season in charge became a successful one, with Lillestrøm finishing fourth in the league. This position secured LSK a place in theRoyal League. The team also made it to the2005 Norwegian Cup final, but lost 4–2 toMolde in front of a crowd of 25,000 atUllevaal Stadion.[citation needed]
In the2006 season, Lillestrøm were among the top favourites to win the league.[citation needed] Following a disappointing 4th place, it was announced on 13 November 2006 that Uwe Rösler had been fired from his position as head coach of Lillestrøm. Only a few days laterTom Nordlie signed a three-year contract.[citation needed]
A key signing ahead of the2007 season includedFredrikstad'sSimen Brenne, an attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring important goals. LSK under Nordlie played a 4–3–3 system, which invites rapid transitional play between defence and attack, Lillestrøm finished fourth in the league and won the2007 Norwegian cup, beatingHaugesund 2–0 in thefinal at Ullevaal Stadion.[citation needed]
On 29 May 2008,Tom Nordlie resigned from his position as head coach after a disappointing start of the2008 season. Statements from Nordlie suggested that fundamental disagreements with club directorJan Åge Fjørtoft also contributed to his resignation.[4] It later emerged that the conflict between the controversial coach and the players was another big contributor behind Nordlie's departure, his punishing training regime in the run-up to the 2008 season being cited as the main complaint. Nordlie, no stranger to controversy during his career, had reportedly "lost the dressing room" as early as autumn 2007.
Erland Johnsen andFrode Grodås stepped in as caretakers until a new head coach was hired. On 19 August 2008, the club announced thatHenning Berg would take over as head coach on 1 January 2009, after leaving his post atLyn. Berg's first task would be to rescue the team from relegation, a feat he accomplished in his very first match as head coach. LSK beatRosenborg 4–2 in a classic encounter to secure their place in the Tippeligaen.
The2009 season was one of great upheaval. In an increasingly tight economic position, LSK sold or released 11 players before and during the season, with Berg also restructuring the squad and bringing in new talent. Enormous injury problems also made the start to the season a difficult one for Berg's charges. After 9 games, LSK had won none and drawn four[5] and seemed destined for relegation.[citation needed] An impressive comeback saw Lillestrøm deliver a strong second half to the season, eventually finishing 11th. NewcomerNosa Igiebor had an especially impressive first season in the Lillestrøm jersey.
The team continued to impress over the course of the winter and start of the2010 season. LSK were in early June fifth in the Tippeligaen, undefeated in 14 league matches. They saw, however, a dramatic drop in form over the summer which saw them briefly flirt with relegation, before a late surge of form late in the season salvaged 10th place.
In2011, LSK made an exciting start to the new season, scoring an incredible 18 goals from their first five league matches, including a 7–0 drubbing of Stabæk in their first league match of the season – away from home. Early season form was good enough for the team to flirt with the top three until the end of July. Early in August, however, starsAnthony Ujah and Nosa Igiebor were sold to stave off the dire economic straits of the club. Also, in-form Icelandic midfielderStefán Gíslason was out of contract and left the club. In mid-August, prodigy strikerBjörn Bergmann Sigurðarson was injured for the rest of the season, and the club failed to win any of their last 11 league games, a new record for Lillestrøm.[citation needed]
Coach Henning Berg was sacked three matches before the end of the season as investorPer Berg promised fresh funds for acquiring quality players after the season. The club again flirted with the prospect of relegation; however, the incessant poor form ofStart andSarpsborg meant Lillestrøm again saved themselves.[citation needed] This despite an abject 34 points gathered over 30 league matches,[6] which normally would mean relegation.[citation needed]
FormerElfsborg coachMagnus Haglund was appointed coach after the season.[7] Lillestrøm was quite active in the transfer window ahead of the 2012 season, and bought 11 new players.[8] The change of coach and flurry of transfers did the club no good, however, as they again flirted with relegation until just a few weeks before the end of the season, hovering between 12th and 14th place before a strong finish to the season[citation needed] propelled them into 9th.[9] On the whole the season was deemed a big disappointment, however, and Haglund's position has been subject to debate throughout the winter pre-season.[citation needed]
Ahead of the 2013 season, the club again has reined in spending and started the season with a first team squad of just 18 full senior players and additional backup players from the youth academy. LSK under Haglund have performed well away from home (2nd best away record in 2012), but often struggled on their own turf.
| Season | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GS | GA | P | Cup | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Tippeligaen | 4 | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 50 | 36 | 41 | Semi-final | |
| 1996 | Tippeligaen | 2 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 54 | 33 | 46 | Third round | |
| 1997 | Tippeligaen | 10 | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 41 | 49 | 33 | Fourth round | |
| 1998 | Tippeligaen | 8 | 26 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 34 | 43 | 32 | Third round | |
| 1999 | Tippeligaen | 4 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 60 | 41 | 48 | Quarter-final | |
| 2000 | Tippeligaen | 6 | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 42 | 29 | 40 | Quarter-final | |
| 2001 | Tippeligaen | 2 | 26 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 64 | 33 | 56 | Semi-final | |
| 2002 | Tippeligaen | 7 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 37 | 30 | 36 | Third round | |
| 2003 | Tippeligaen | 7 | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 33 | 35 | 37 | Fourth round | |
| 2004 | Tippeligaen | 7 | 26 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 45 | 33 | 35 | Semi-final | |
| 2005 | Tippeligaen | 4 | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 37 | 31 | 42 | Final | |
| 2006 | Tippeligaen | 4 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 44 | 33 | 44 | Quarter-final | |
| 2007 | Tippeligaen | 4 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 47 | 28 | 44 | Winner | |
| 2008 | Tippeligaen | 12 | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 30 | 40 | 28 | Second round | |
| 2009 | Tippeligaen | 11 | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 43 | 50 | 37 | Fourth round | |
| 2010 | Tippeligaen | 10 | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 51 | 44 | 40 | Third round | |
| 2011 | Tippeligaen | 13 | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 46 | 52 | 34 | Fourth round | |
| 2012 | Tippeligaen | 9 | 30 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 46 | 47 | 39 | Fourth round | |
| 2013 | Tippeligaen | 10 | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 37 | 44 | 36 | Semi-final | |
| 2014 | Tippeligaen | 5 | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 49 | 35 | 46 | Quarter-final | |
| 2015 | Tippeligaen | 8 | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 43 | 44 | Third round | |
| 2016 | Tippeligaen | 12 | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 45 | 50 | 34 | Third round | |
| 2017 | Eliteserien | 12 | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 40 | 43 | 37 | Winner | |
| 2018 | Eliteserien | 12 | 30 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 34 | 44 | 32 | Semi-final | |
| 2019 | Eliteserien | ↓14 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 32 | 47 | 30 | Third round | Relegated to1. divisjon through play-offs |
| 2020 | 1. divisjon | ↑2 | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 49 | 26 | 57 | Cancelled | Promoted toEliteserien |
| 2021 | Eliteserien | 4 | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 49 | 40 | 49 | Quarter-final | |
| 2022 | Eliteserien | 4 | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 49 | 34 | 53 | Final | |
| 2023 | Eliteserien | 6 | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 49 | 49 | 43 | Second round | |
| 2024 | Eliteserien | ↓15 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 33 | 63 | 24 | Quarter-final | Relegated to1. divisjon |
| 2025 | OBOS-ligaen | ↑1 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 87 | 18 | 80 | Promoted toEliteserien |
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Last season played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup UEFA Champions League | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 2002–03 |
| UEFA Cup | 28 | 10 | 2 | 16 | 35 | 49 | 2018–19 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 1993–94 |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2022–23 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 11 | 2006 |
| Total | 64 | 22 | 9 | 33 | 81 | 102 |
Pld = Matches played;W = Matches won;D = Matches drawn;L = Matches lost;GF = Goals for;GA = Goals against. Defunct competitions indicated in italics.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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For season transfers, seeList of Norwegian football transfers winter 2024–25, andList of Norwegian football transfers summer 2025.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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|
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Hans Erik Ødegaard |
| Assistant coach | Eirik Mæland |
| Goalkeeping coach |  Bartosz Deregowski |
| Fitness coach/Physio | Geir Kåsene |
| Physio | Sondre Sjøgren Jakobsen |
| Head of Analytics | Yannick Skar-Lentze |
| Sports coordinator | Tor Arne Solberg |
| Doctor | Pål Jeroen Husby |
| Scout | Espen Olsen |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of academy |  Toni Ordinas[18] |
| Administrative leader | Oscar Killingmoe |
| Top player developer | Frode Kippe |
| Coach developer |  Ruben Quintão |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Stian Thomassen |
| Managing director | Robert Lauritsen |
| Sporting director | Simon Mesfin |
| Sales and partnership rep | Kari Herredsvela |
| Sales and partnership rep | Kine Klevengen |
| Financial and administration director | Linda Djupnes |
| Head of communications | Andreas Aalling |
| Marketing consultant/club store manager | Jørgen Heen Enger |
Alf Martinsen (1947–50; 1952–53)
Karl Guðmundsson (1958; 1960)Ragnar Larsen (1962) Walther Svendsen (1963) Henry Mathiesen (1964–1965) Rolf Wahl (1966) Ivar Christiansen (1967) Rolf Wahl (1968)Svein Bergersen/ Rolf Wahl (1971) Oddvar Richardsen (1972)Joar Hoff (1973) Ronny Mathiesen (1974)Joar Hoff (1975–1976)
Joe Hooley (1977–1980)Kjell Schou-Andreassen (1980–1982)Joar Hoff (1982)Bill Foulkes (1984)Tom Lund (1985–1988)
David Hay (1989–1990) Tom Lund (1 July 1990 – 30 June 1991) Ivar Hoff (1991–1993)Teitur Þórðarson (1994– Sept 9, 1995)Arne Erlandsen/Kjetil Osvold (Sept 10, 1995–1996)Per Brogeland (1996– 1 June 1997)Even Pellerud (1997) Arne Erlandsen (1998–2005)
Uwe Rösler (2005–2007)Tom Nordlie (2007 – 29 May 2008)Erland Johnsen(caretaker) (29 May 2008 – 16 June 2008) Erland Johnsen (16 June 2008 – 21 Oct 2008)Henning Berg (21 Oct 2008 – 26 Oct 2011)Petter Belsvik/
Magnus Powell(caretakers) (26 Oct 2011–2012)Magnus Haglund (2012–2015)Rúnar Kristinsson (2015– 18 Sep 2016) Arne Erlandsen (20 Sep 2016 – 26 June 2018)Arild Sundgot(caretaker) (26 June 2018 – 13 July 2018)Jörgen Lennartsson (13 July 2018 – 2 December 2019)Tom Nordlie(caretaker) (3 December 2019 – 11 December 2019)Geir Bakke (31 December 2019 – 12 July 2023)Simon Mesfin/Frode Kippe(caretakers) (12 July 2023 – 20 August 2023)Eirik Bakke(caretaker) (20 August 2023 – 21 December 2023)Andreas Georgson (21 December 2023 – 26 July 2024)Robin Asterhed(caretaker) (9 August 2024 – 23 August 2024)
David Nielsen(caretaker) (23 August 2024 – 30 September 2024)Dag Eilev Fagermo (30 September 2024 – 10 December 2024)Hans Erik Ødegaard (10 December 2024 –)Lillestrøm is one of the most supported clubs in Norway, and has the second biggest fan-club in Norway, as the official fan-club, Kanarifansen has more than 5,000 members. Kanarifansen was founded on 3 December 1992 and publishes its own magazines and has its own collection of clothing.
Lillestrøm's biggest rival isVålerenga Fotball. The club also has a rivalry withRosenborg. Their traditional local rival dated back to the clubs foundation isStrømmen IF.
