IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County SC announced on Thursday it had acquired Danish midfielder Daniel Pedersen via transfer from Norwegian side SK Brann ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Pedersen has played in the top leagues in Denmark and Norway throughout his 11-year career, recording 14 goals and 17 assists.

“I’m really excited to join Orange County and I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and everybody in and around the club,” said Pedersen. “I can’t wait to get to know my new teammates and get to work.”

Pedersen spent the past two seasons with SK Brann as the club’s captain in the Eliteserien, the top flight of Norwegian soccer. With the Bergen-based club, Pedersen made 36 appearances and scored six goals while adding one assist. While the move to Orange County will be the 29-year-old’s first experience outside Europe, Orange County Head Coach Richard Chaplow is expecting Pedersen to become an integral part of the club’s midfield core as it defends its 2021 Championship title.

“Daniel joins us with a wealth of experience, and I'm delighted that we have him on board,” said Chaplow. “He has great attributes on both sides of the ball which will add depth and quality to our midfield. It is Important that we have good communicators and organizers in the team and Daniel brings with him strong leadership skills which will be a key ingredient for us throughout the season.”  

Pedersen signed his first professional contract at the age of 18 for Silkeborg IF in his native Denmark after coming through their youth ranks. His first professional goal was a stunning long distance right-footed strike in his first season against FC Midtjylland, and he went on to make 116 appearances for his boyhood club before moving to Aarhus GF, Lillestrøm SK in Norway and finally to SK Brann. Overall, Pedersen has made more than 200 top-flight appearances in his career.

“We are delighted to add Daniel, an experienced international midfielder to our team,” said OCSC President of Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss. “Daniel’s quality and leadership are a great addition to our talented roster, and we are looking forward to him being a difference maker on the field for us.”

Born in Silkeborg, Pedersen made his debut in international competition with Denmark’s U-20 squad before making the jump to the U-21 level. He made a total of nine appearances at the U21 level, which included competing in UEFA European U-21 Championship Qualifying.

Since the 2018 season, OCSC has had at least one Danish international on their roster. Pedersen will become the fourth Danish player to don the OCSC crest with the last being recently retired Thomas Enevoldsen.