The Jim Smith era at Derby County saw the arrival of several exciting important foreign imports as the Rams rose from the First Division to the Premiership.
Big names such as Paulo Wanchope, Mart Poom, Igor Stimac, Aljosa Asanovic, Francesco Baiano and Stefano Eranio are affectionately remembered by supporters.
But one of the more understated, yet consistent, signings of the Bald Eagle’s time in charge of the Rams was Jacob Laursen.
The Danish international defender joined Derby following their promotion to the top-flight in the summer of 1996 from Silkeborg IF in his homeland in a deal reported to be up to £500,000.
His career with the Rams didn’t get off to the best of starts, it has to be said, as he scored an own goal in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Leeds United at the Baseball Ground on his debut.
Laursen recovered and went on to be a great servant for Derby, making 137 Premier League appearances over four seasons and 153 outings in all competitions.
The defender appeared for Denmark at the 1998 World Cup and was the winner of the Jack Stamps Player of the Year award in the 1998/99 campaign as Derby finished eighth in the Premiership.
Laursen scored just the three goals for Derby and his first, scored on 4th September 1996, was something quite spectacular in a home fixture against Manchester United at the Baseball Ground.
He lashed a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner, with great power and accuracy, to give Derby the lead against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Ironically, the goal was scored past his fellow Danish international team-mate Peter Schmeichel, who was given no chance as the ball arrowed past the giant goalkeeper.
Laursen’s moment of magic didn’t prove to be the winner, however, as a stunning strike from David Beckham before half-time earned the Red Devils a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
His second for the club, however, did help Derby claim all three points in a 5-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday in the following campaign – while he also netted in a 3-3 draw at home to Southampton in October 1999.
However, there’s little doubt his thunderbolt at the Rams’ former home will live long in the memory.
“The goal against Peter Schmeichel was really good for me,” Laursen said when discussing his goal against Manchester United during a visit to Derby a few years ago.
“I had a really difficult debut against Leeds, I scored an own goal and didn’t have the best game either.
“I managed to build on from that and in the next home game I managed to score a good goal against Manchester United. From then the fans took me to their hearts and I appreciated that.”
He added: “I meet Peter occasionally and we have a laugh and talk about the goal. He said it was a brilliant goal and there was nothing he could do!”
Laursen admits his time with Derby holds many special memories.
He believes moving from the Baseball Ground to Pride Park Stadium in the summer of 1997 allowed the Rams to build on the many positives displayed in their maiden season in the Premiership.
Under Smith, Derby built a reputation for being an entertaining side, displaying plenty of attacking flair, and Laursen believes the move to Pride Park was instrumental in the side’s rise during that time.
“It was nice to play at the Baseball Ground; I liked the year I had there and the experience at playing at one of the old grounds (in English football),” he said.
“We then moved to Pride Park and developed, playing even better football than in the first year. It was a great experience.
“At the Baseball Ground we managed to build a foundation and we gelled a bit as a group.
“Once we made the move to Pride Park the manager made a few signings, who helped raise our game quite a bit. We moved to a bigger pitch and showed we could make that transformation from being a hard and grinding team to play some really good football, and we did that.”
He added: “We grew in confidence and as a group. Sadly some players moved on, but looking back it was special to be part of it.”
Laursen’s career saw him rack up well over 400 appearances in club football, as well as claiming 25 caps for Denmark in total.
He left Derby in the summer of 2000 to sign for FC Copenhagen, but briefly returned to England in 2002 with Leicester City and also had a loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to Europe to conclude his career.
Since hanging up his boots, Laursen has worked as a football pundit in Denmark and also remained involved in the game in the agency industry.
