Torbjørn Lysaker Heggem (born 12 January 1999, Trondheim, Norway) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender—primarily a centre-back but also capable as a left-back.
Torbjørn Heggem is a towering Norwegian defender known for his versatility and composure on the ball. After progressing through clubs in Norway and Sweden, he impressed in England’s Championship before earning a move to Serie A’s Bologna. He’s also breaking into Norway’s national team.
⚽ Playing Style
•Physical presence: At ~1.98 m (6’6″), Heggem is dominant in the air. He’s excellent at winning aerial duels both defensively and offensively on set-pieces.
•Defensive traits: Strong tackler, good at reading the game, and rarely dives into challenges — prefers to stay on his feet and shepherd attackers away.
•Versatility: Primarily a centre-back, but can also play left-back when needed, giving coaches tactical flexibility.
•Ball-playing ability: Comfortable with the ball at his feet, often stepping into midfield to start build-up play. Known for long diagonal passes that switch play.
•Calm under pressure: Rarely flustered when pressed, which makes him valuable in possession-oriented systems.
📊 Stats Snapshot (2024–25 at West Brom)
•Appearances: 46 (all competitions)
•Goals: 1
•Pass completion: ~86% (Championship average for defenders is ~79%)
•Aerial duels won: 72% (among the top in the league)
•Clearances per game: 4.5
•Blocks per game: 1.1
•Tackles per game: 2.0
🔮 Future Prospects
At Bologna (Serie A):
His profile fits Italian football well — Serie A values tactical discipline and defenders who read the game smartly. At Bologna, he’ll likely be tested against more technical strikers than in the Championship.
National Team (Norway):
Norway are building a strong squad around Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Antonio Nusa. If Heggem cements his spot, he could become their long-term partner to Kristoffer Ajer in central defence.
Career trajectory:
Short-term: Establish himself as a regular starter at Bologna.
Medium-term: Compete for a move to a top-6 Serie A or Premier League club.
Long-term: Could become Norway’s defensive leader for the next decade.
Comparison: Some analysts compare him to Per Mertesacker (for height, calmness, and reading of the game) with shades of Virgil van Dijk in terms of composure.
