Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson (born 2 February 2004) is an Icelandic professional footballer who plays as a forward for Eliteserien club Kristiansund, on loan from Venezia.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 February 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Hvammstangi, Iceland | ||
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Kristiansund | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2018 | Kormákur | ||
| 2018–2020 | Fjölnir | ||
| 2021–2022 | → Venezia (loan) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Fjölnir | 11 | (2) |
| 2022– | Venezia | 1 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Tromsø (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2024– | → Kristiansund (loan) | 16 | (2) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | Iceland U19 | 17 | (6) |
| 2022– | Iceland U21 | 3 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 November 2023 | |||
Club career
Early career
Born in Iceland and raised in the village of Hvammstangi,[1] Hilmir Rafn started his playing career at local grassroots club Kormákur, before joining Fjölnir at the age of 14,[1][2][3] after a successful trial during a training camp in Spain with the under-14 team.[1]
Venezia
In August 2021, Hilmir Rafn joined Serie A side Venezia, initially on a season-long loan with an option to buy.[1][4][5][6] After featuring for the club's under-19 side throughout the 2021-22 season, the forward made his Serie A debut on 22 May 2022, coming on as a substitute for Dennis Johnsen at the 73rd minute of a 0–0 draw against Cagliari.[7][8] At the end of the league campaign, Venezia made their deal for Hilmir Rafn permanent.[9][10]
On 7 August 2022, he was one of the fourteen youth players that received a call-up by head coach Ivan Javorčić for a Coppa Italia preliminary match against Ascoli, after thirteen members of Venezia's first-team tested positive for COVID-19.[11][12] Having taken the place of Mirza Hasanbegovic at the 57th minute of the game, he went on to score a brace between the 88th and 89th minutes, providing his team with the equalizer and taking the match to the extra-time, although Ascoli eventually gained a 2–3 win.[12] On 6 October 2022, Hilmir Rafn extended his contract with the club until June 2027.[13][14]
The loan at Tromsø
On 11 January 2023, Hilmir Rafn officially joined Norwegian side Tromsø IL on loan until the end of the year.[15][16]
He made his debut for the club on 12 March, starting the NM Cupen fourth round match against Start, which ended in a 5–6 win after penalties for his side.[17] One week later, on 19 March, he scored his first goal in the cup's quarter-final match against Lillestrøm, which ended in a 2–3 loss after extra time.[18]
International career
Hilmir Rafn has represented Iceland at various youth levels, having played for the under-19 and under-21 national teams.[3][13]
In June 2023, he was included in the Icelandic squad that took part in the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[19]
Career statistics
- As of 29 June 2024[20]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Fjölnir | 2020 | Besta deild karla | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1. deild karla | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| Total | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||
| Venezia (loan) | 2021-22 | Serie A | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Venezia | 2022-23 | Serie B | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023-24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Tromsø (loan) | 2023 | Eliteserien | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Kristiansund (loan) | 2024 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |
| Career total | 28 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 7 | ||
References
External links
- Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson at Soccerway
- Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson at WorldFootball.net
- Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson at the Football Association of Iceland (in Icelandic)