We added to our squad earlier this week with the signing of Mikkel Damsgaard.

Mikkel started playing football for Jyllinge FC in his hometown, coached by his father, who has played a massive part in his footballing career to date. The midfielder was spotted by a scout from Nordsjælland, before the Danish giants signed him as an under-12 player on a youth contract.

He played through the Tigers’ age groups, before making his debut for the club in a pre-season friendly prior to the 2017/18 campaign at the age of 17. He then went on to make his full debut against Vejgaard BK in a Danish Cup game - he also got his first assist in a 4–0 win. His first league appearances came soon after in November 2017.

Three starts after the winter break in Denmark followed in 2018, which saw him get assists in all three games and led to him becoming a more regular starter for the club.

More dazzling performances in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons followed, which included nine goals and four assists in 25 games during his final campaign in Denmark.

He moved to Serie A side Sampdoria in July 2020, signing a four-year deal with the Italian club, before netting his first goal later that year, when he scored in the club’s 3-0 victory over Lazio.

The creative midfielder, playing under former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri, made 35 appearances (18 starts) during his first season in Serie A, but an injury-hit second campaign meant he played just 11 league games last term.

Brentford sign Mikkel Damsgaard

Mikkel Damsgaard's first interview

He went head-to-head with another of the Club’s summer signings, Aaron Hickey, in the Italian top flight last season.

Mikkel was back fit over the summer and, along with current Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen, the 22-year-old made his 14th, 15th and 16th caps for his country in the Nations League.

He has also featured in Danish squads with new Bees team-mates Christian Norgaard, as well as playing with Mads Bidstrup, Mads Bech Sorensen, Mads Roerslev and Luka Racic at national youth levels.

He scored his first international goal in a 4-1 win over Russia at Euro 2020, when he became the youngest Danish player to score at the European Championship at just 20.

And some England fans may remember Mikkel from the fantastic free-kick he scored in the Euro 2020 semi-finals against the Three Lions, putting Denmark 1-0 ahead - a moment he has described as the “favourite of his career”.

Despite undoubtedly upsetting some Brentford fans at the time (before Gareth Southgate’s side came back to win 2-1 in extra-time), Bees supporters will be keen to see more of what Mikkel can offer at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.

Keep it locked to our channels at 5pm tomorrow for Pre-Match Pint – our match preview show.

Mikkel Damsgaard tells us more about himself in Last Orders, while Stu Wakeford, Natalie Sawyer, Rhys Weston and special guest Flex look ahead to Saturday’s big game against Manchester United.