The Top 10 things you need to know about Simon Kjaer - plus video of him in action

By Mirror Football in Football Spy

Published 11:12 29/06/10

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Tottenham have stolen a march on a host of top European clubs by making a bid for highly-rated Palermo defender Simon Kjaer .

The young Danish defender has also attracted the attention of Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City. But what do know about him? MirrorFootball presents the essential guide...

1) Simon Kjaer was born on March 26, 1989 in Horsens in Denmark.

2) A strong centre-back, he began his professional career with Danish side FC Midtjylland in 2007.

3) He was an immediate hit and in October 2007 he was already being linked with a move to the Premier League with Chelsea and Middlesbrough. Even Real Madrid tried to sign him but their offer was dismissed by Midtjylland.

4) In November 2007 he was named the Danish Under-19 Talent of the Year as his remarkably quick rise to the top continued. He followed that up earlier this year by winning the senior Danish Talent of the Year award.

5) It was really a question of when and where he would move rather than if, and in February 2008 Palermo won the race to sign him for €4 million.

6) Now a small fish in a much bigger Italian pond, Kjaer had to wait until October to make his debut, finally getting his chance as a halftime substitute in a Serie A tie against Fiorentina - a 3-1 defeat.

7) He didn't have to wait long for his first goal, netting in just his third match for Palermo, a 3-0 win over Chievo on November 2, 2008.

8) He has played for every level of the Danish national team from the Under-18 side to the senior squad. He was first called up to the senior team in February this year and has since played 11 times for his country.

9) As many of Europe's top clubs ponder making a move for him, rumour has it he has an £11 million release clause in his Palermo contract.

10) He is a Liverpool fan but says that would not stop him joining Manchester United, and that he would go wherever he has the best chance of first team football. He said: "If United just had two defenders whilst Liverpool had three, I would choose United without hesitation. It does not help to choose with the heart in that kind of situation. I am a professional," he added, somewhat menacingly.