Ronnie Schwartz Nielsen (born 29 August 1989) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a striker. He has made a total of 27 appearances for various Danish national youth teams, scoring four goals.[2]

Ronnie Schwartz
Schwartz with Guingamp in 2014
Personal information
Full name Ronnie Schwartz Nielsen[1]
Date of birth (1989-08-29) 29 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Aalborg, Denmark
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Ulsted Boldklub
AaB
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 AaB 46 (9)
2011–2014 Randers 79 (37)
2014–2016 Guingamp 14 (2)
2015–2016 Guingamp B 3 (2)
2015Brøndby (loan) 16 (4)
2016Esbjerg (loan) 12 (4)
2016–2018 Waasland-Beveren 12 (1)
2018 Sarpsborg 08 15 (5)
2018–2020 Silkeborg 47 (37)
2020–2021 Midtjylland 15 (6)
2021 Charlton Athletic 16 (1)
2022–2023 Vendsyssel 18 (1)
2023 Hobro 11 (0)
2024 Fredericia 10 (0)
International career
2005 Denmark U16 3 (0)
2005–2006 Denmark U17 8 (1)
2006–2007 Denmark U18 4 (2)
2007–2008 Denmark U19 6 (0)
2009–2010 Denmark U21 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 June 2024

Career

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Coming through the youth ranks of AaB, Schwartz signed his first professional contract with the club in January 2006, being described as the future goalscorer for the club.[3] Two years and two first team league appearances later, he signed a new contract that was set to expire in the summer of 2011.[4]

Despite being marked as a talent, for the remainder of his AaB time, he never managed to establish himself as a regular in the starting eleven. When his contract expired, he decided to leave AaB and join Randers in the Danish 1st Division, who had just been relegated the previous season, signing a three-year contract.[5]

Randers

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Following a good season in the 1st Division, Randers and Schwartz were yet again promoted to the Danish Superliga, finished only behind Esbjerg fB.

In his first top flight season for Randers, Schwartz became the top goal scorer with a total of 14 league goals, finishing 5th overall in the league top scorer table. Thus Schwartz ended up playing an integral part of the Randers side that finished 3rd in the league and 2nd in the Danish Cup. His good efforts were rewarded with a new contract, that was set to expire in the summer of 2016.[6]

 
Schwartz with Randers FC against Viborg FF in April 2012.

At the end of the 2012–13 Danish Superliga, Randers achieved qualification for the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League. On 1 August 2013, he thus played his first match in European club competitions, being used as a starter in the 1–2 home defeat to Russian club Rubin Kazan.[7]

During his stint at Randers, Schwartz was lovingly referred to by fans as Plaffeministeren ("The Minister of Shooting") for his many shots on target from long distance and tight angles.[8] The term Plaffeministeren has since been used about other players,[9] and even in other sports to refer to someone, who scores many goals; often on hard strikes.[10]

Guingamp

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On 11 June 2014, Guingamp announced that they had bought Schwartz from Randers FC.[11] He was their third Danish signing in the summer of 2014, after Lars Jacobsen and Jonas Lössl. He made his debut for the club in the 2014 Trophée des Champions, losing 2–0 to Paris Saint-Germain. On 9 August, he played his first match in Ligue 1, replacing Claudio Beauvue in the 0–2 defeat against Saint-Étienne.[12] On 18 October, he scored his first league goal, in the 1–2 victory away against Lille.[13][14] He remained in the Guingamp first team for only one season, alternating appearances with the reserve side.[15]

Loan to Brøndby

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On 27 July 2015, Schwartz signed a one-season loan deal with Brøndby IF.[16] He made his debut on 30 July in a UEFA Europa League qualifier against Omonia Nicosia as a second half substitute, in a match finishing 0–0.[17] In his first derby against Copenhagen on 27 September, he immediately made an impact in the fourth minute by injuring opposing defender Tom Høgli.[18] After six months at the club, he left halfway through his loan deal after failing to gain a place in the starting lineup of Brøndby.[19]

Loan to Esbjerg

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On 29 January 2016, after terminating his loan deal with Brøndby, Schwartz joined Danish club Esbjerg on a six month loan deal.[20] He made his debut for the club on 28 February in a 2–1 away loss to FC Copenhagen, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute for Mick van Buren.[21] In his following game for the club, he scored his first goal to secure a 1–0 home win over his former club Randers FC, after also making his first start.[22] He made 12 league appearances for Esbjerg, in which he managed to score 4 goals, including a brace against Hobro IK on 23 April.[23] Esbjerg finished 11th in the league table in the 2015–16 season, securing another season in the Superliga by a wide margin.[24] He left the club after his loan ended in June 2016, as a permanent transfer was deemed "unrealistic" due to financial limitations by Esbjerg fB staff member Niels Erik Søndergaard.[25]

On 12 August 2016, Guingamp announced that they had terminated Schwartz's contract.[26]

Waasland-Beveren

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On 24 August 2016, free agent Schwartz signed with Belgian club Waasland-Beveren. He reportedly agreed to a two-year contract.[27] On 27 August, he made his debut as a half-time substitution for Floriano Vanzo in the Belgian First Division A, in the 2–1 loss away against Oostende.[28] On 15 October, he scored his first goal, the 1–0 matchwinner over Eupen.[29] He remained in the team until January 2018, playing a total of 14 games in all competitions, with one goal to his name.[30]

Sarpsborg 08

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Schwartz was officially announced as a new player of Sarpsborg 08 FF on 22 January 2018, signing a two-year contract with the Norwegian club.[31] He made his Eliteserien debut on 11 March, replacing compatriot Mikkel Agger in a 1–0 win over Rosenborg.[32]

On 17 March, he scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw at Lillestrøm.[33] He scored a hat-trick on 2 May as Sarpsborg advanced in the Norwegian Football Cup by beating Ørn Horten 6–0.[34]

Silkeborg

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On 30 August 2018, it was announced that Silkeborg IF had signed Schwartz on a two-year contract, marking his return to Danish football.[35] Schwartz had a strong first season where he ended up winning the second-tier Danish 1st Division with 25 goals to his name.[36] Silkeborg IF finished in first place in the 1st Division and thus secured promotion to the Danish Superliga for the 2019–20 season.[37]

Midtjylland

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After a number of impressive performances with Silkeborg, including 37 goals in 47 league games, Schwartz was signed by FC Midtjylland in January 2020 on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[38]

He made his debut for the club on 17 February, coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute for Lasse Vibe against Lyngby BK, as Midtjylland won 2–0.[39]

His first goal for the club came in the following league game against Hobro IK, after having come on at half-time for Vibe once again. He provided the assist to the first goal by Anders Dreyer and scored the second after an assist by Dreyer.[40]

Mostly a substitute at Midtjylland, Schwartz was part of the title-winning team of 2019–20,[41] as he also won the top goalscorers title with 18 goals – the majority of them scored for Silkeborg in the fall.[42]

Charlton Athletic

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On 4 January 2021, Schwartz joined Charlton Athletic on a two-and-a-half-year deal. In doing so, Schwartz became the club's first signing of the January 2021 transfer window.[43]

On 8 January, he made his debut for Charlton as a substitute for Paul Smyth in a 0–2 home league defeat against Accrington Stanley. A few days later, he bagged his first goal for Charlton, scoring the equaliser in a 4–4 draw against Rochdale.[44][45]

On 6 March 2021, Schwartz missed a 93rd minute penalty with the last kick of the game which would have won the points for Charlton against Oxford United. The game finished 0–0 and left Schwartz with a disappointing return of one goal in 14 games for his new club.[46]

In preparation for the 2021–22 season under new manager Nigel Adkins who had joined in March 2021, Schwartz had been demoted to practice with the U23 team in order for him to progress to his level of fitness.[47]

On 12 October 2021, it was announced that Schwartz had left Charlton following the termination of his contract by mutual consent.[48]

Vendsyssel FF

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On 21 October 2021, Danish 1st Division club Vendsyssel FF confirmed, that Schwartz had signed a deal with the club from 1 January 2022.[49] However, he would train with the club until then.

On 31 January 2023 Vendsyssel confirmed, that Schwartz' contract had been terminated.[50]

Hobro IK

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On 8 February 2023, Schwartz signed for Danish 1st Division club Hobro IK on a short-term contract until the end of the season.[51] He left the club again at the end of the season.[52]

FC Fredericia

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After being out of contract since July 2023, FC Fredericia confirmed on 27 March 2024 that the club had signed Schwartz on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[53] After less than two months at the club, Schwartz left Fredericia again at the end of the season.[54]

Style of play

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Described as a "natural goalscorer", Charlton manager Lee Bowyer stated upon his signing in January 2021: "His finishing is very good, I witnessed it first hand in training today. To see him finishing the way he does and know that he is going to improve is a big plus." He continued: "Strikers tend win you games, once we create chances he is a fox in the box. His work rate is good, his movement is good and he's very clever."[43][55]

Career statistics

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As of 12 November 2022[56]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
AaB 2007–08 Superliga 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0
2008–09 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 0
2009–10 22 5 2 1 0 0 24 6
2010–11 15 4 4 0 19 4
Total 46 9 9 1 0 0 0 0 55 10
Randers 2011–12 1st Division 22 8 2 2 30 10
2012–13 Superliga 31 14 5 2 36 16
2013–14 26 15 4 3 2 0 32 18
Total 79 37 11 7 2 0 0 0 92 44
Guingamp 2014–15 Ligue 1 14 2 2 0 2 0 18 2
Brøndby (loan) 2015–16 Superliga 16 4 0 0 3 0 19 4
Esbjerg (loan) 2015–16 Superliga 12 4 0 0 0 0 12 4
Waasland-Beveren 2016–17 Jupiler Pro League 12 1 0 0 0 0 12 1
2017–18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Sarpsborg 08 2018 Eliteserien 15 5 2 3 0 0 17 8
Silkeborg 2018–19 1st Division 27 25 2 1 0 0 29 26
2019–20 Superliga 20 12 1 2 0 0 21 14
Total 47 37 3 3 0 0 0 0 50 40
Midtjylland 2019–20 Superliga 15 6 0 0 0 0 15 6
2020–21 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 15 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 6
Charlton Athletic 2020–21[57] League One 16 1 16 1
2021–22[58] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 1
Vendsyssel 2021–22 1st Division 13 1 0 0 13 1
2022–23 1st Division 5 0 2 2 7 2
Total 18 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 20 3
Career total 290 107 30 16 7 0 0 0 327 123

Honours

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AaB

Silkeborg

Midtjylland

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: Charlton Athletic" (PDF). English Football League. p. 47. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Landsholdsdatabasen spiller information"
  3. ^ "AaB sikrer fremtidens målscorer"
  4. ^ "AaB forlænger med 18-årig angriber"
  5. ^ "Schwartz får tre år i Randers"
  6. ^ "Randers og Ronnie Schwartz forlænger"
  7. ^ "Randers vs. Rubin Kazan - 1 August 2013 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  8. ^ Sorgenfri, Søren (1 November 2013). "Såårte Ronnie fik fiskespa af facebook-fangruppe". B.T. (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  9. ^ Qvirin Petersen, Jacob (28 September 2016). "FCK'ere 'mobber' Delaney: Den nye Plaffeminister høvler altid bolden over". TV 2 (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  10. ^ Wikkelsø Davidsen, Mikkel (9 August 2016). "Så du det i storsejren? Mikkel Hansen lavede joke med Danmarks Plaffeminister". B.T. (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  11. ^ Jesper Helmin (11 June 2014). "Guingamp henter Ronnie Schwartz" (in Danish). bold.dk. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Guingamp vs. Saint-Etienne - 9 August 2014 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Lille vs. Guingamp - 18 October 2014 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Guingamp end losing run at Lille". ESPN.com. 18 October 2014.
  15. ^ Wehlast, Mads Glenn (30 June 2015). "Det ser sort ud for Schwartz i Guingamp". ekstrabladet.dk (in Danish).
  16. ^ "Brøndby IF lejer Ronnie Schwartz". brondby.com (in Danish). Brøndby IF. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. ^ Nøhr, Mikkel (31 July 2015). "Ronnie Schwartz: Fedt at komme hurtigt i gang". bold.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  18. ^ Helmin, Jesper (27 September 2015). "Schwartz: Går ikke ind for at skade nogen". bold.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  19. ^ Nøhr, Mikkel (29 January 2016). "Esbjerg henter Ronnie Schwartz i Brøndby". bold.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Schwartz skal få gang i karrieren og EfB's offensiv" [Schwartz must make time in his career and EfB's offensive] (in Danish). 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  21. ^ "Superligakamp FC København-Esbjerg fB, 28.02.2016 - SuperStats". superstats.dk. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Superligakamp Esbjerg fB-Randers FC, 06.03.2016 - SuperStats". superstats.dk. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
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  25. ^ Blond, Mikael (17 May 2016). "Fellah forlader Esbjerg - Schwartz er urealistisk". bold.dk (in Danish).
  26. ^ "R. Schwartz va résilier" [R. Schwartz was released] (in French). 12 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  27. ^ Jensen, Kenneth; Davidsen, Martin (24 August 2016). "Ronnie Schwartz skifter til belgisk klub". Tipsbladet (in Danish). Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  28. ^ "KV Oostende vs. Waasland-Beveren - 27 August 2016 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Waasland-Beveren vs. AS Eupen - 15 October 2016 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  30. ^ Ronnie Schwartz at Soccerway
  31. ^ Ronnie Schwartz skriver med Sarpsborg‚ bold.dk, 22 January 2018
  32. ^ "altomfotball.no: Sarpsborg 08 - Rosenborg - Eliteserien - 1. runde, 11.03.2018". TV 2. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  33. ^ "altomfotball.no: Lillestrøm - Sarpsborg 08 - Eliteserien - 2. runde, 17.03.2018". TV 2. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  34. ^ Karlsen, Nanna Møller (2 May 2018). "Schwartz-hattrick sendte Sarpsborg videre". bold.dk (in Danish).
  35. ^ Arp, Andreas (30 August 2018). "Officielt: Silkeborg henter Ronnie Schwartz". Tipsbladet.dk (in Danish).
  36. ^ Rasmussen, Mads Holmbøge (25 May 2019). "Schwartz skyder Silkeborg i Superligaen på frisparksdrøn" (in Danish).
  37. ^ a b Julsgaard, Robin Ettinger (25 May 2019). "Silkeborg rykker direkte op i Superligaen - Viborg skal i playoff". TV MIDTVEST (in Danish).
  38. ^ FC MIDTJYLLAND KØBER RONNIE SCHWARTZ, fcm.dk, 31 January 2020
  39. ^ "FC Midtjylland - Lyngby BK 2:0 (Superligaen 2019/2020, 21. Round)". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Hobro IK - FC Midtjylland 0:2 (Superligaen 2019/2020, 22. Round)". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  41. ^ a b Egelund, Klaus; Andersen, Thomas N. (9 July 2020). "FC Midtjylland er dansk mester i fodbold". ekstrabladet.dk (in Danish).
  42. ^ a b Risager, Victor (26 July 2020). "Ronnie Schwartz er Superliga-topscorer: Det hjalp, at Kamil skiftede". Tipsbladet.dk (in Danish).
  43. ^ a b "DONE DEAL: The Addicks complete the signing of striker Ronnie Schwartz". Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  44. ^ "Charlton 0 Accrington Stanley 2". cafc.co.uk. Charlton Athletic. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  45. ^ Roesen, Andreas (8 January 2021). "Ronnie Schwartz debuterede med nederlag". bold.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Oxford United 0-0 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  47. ^ Mendez, Louis (10 August 2021). "Charlton chief Nigel Adkins provides updates on fitness of three key players missing through injury and transfers". South London News.
  48. ^ "Schwartz leaves Charlton after the mutual cancellation of his contract". Charlton Athletic. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  49. ^ "Vendsyssel FF picks up former Superliga top scorer". TV2Nord. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  50. ^ VENDSYSSEL SIGER FARVEL TIL SCHWARTZ, vendsysselff.dk, 31 January 2023
  51. ^ "HOBRO IK SKRIVER KORT KONTRAKT MED RONNIE SCHWARTZ" [HOBRO IK SIGNS A SHORT CONTRACT WITH RONNIE SCHWARTZ]. hobroik.dk (in Danish). 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  52. ^ Hobro siger farvel til Ronnie Schwartz og tre andre: Skal opruste, bold.dk, 1 June 2023
  53. ^ FC Fredericia skriver kontrakt med Ronnie Schwartz, fcfredericia.dk, 27 March 2024
  54. ^ Mikkel Wohlgemuth og Ronnie Schwartz stopper i FC Fredericia, fcfredericia.dk, 21 May 2024
  55. ^ "Ronnie Schwartz: Charlton Athletic sign FC Midtjylland striker for undisclosed fee". BBC. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  56. ^ "Ronnie Schwartz, statistik - SuperStats"
  57. ^ "Games played by Ronnie Schwartz in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  58. ^ "Games played by Ronnie Schwartz in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  59. ^ Hansen, Jens Gjesse (15 May 2008). "AaB er dansk mester 2007/2008". DR (in Danish).
  60. ^ Julsgaard, Robin Ettinger (25 May 2019). "Silkeborgs topscorer om oprykning: - Det fuldender sæsonen". TV MIDTVEST (in Danish).
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