Alexander Sørloth is a Norwegian association football player who has represented top-tier clubs across England, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Born in Trondheim in 1995, the striker gained prominence for his scoring ability and La Liga record-setting performance against Real Sociedad in 2025. He is best known for his successful stints with various international clubs, including Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, and for featuring in the 2026 World Cup for Norway.
Alexander Sørloth scored a first-half quadruple against Real Sociedad on 10 May 2025, netting a hat-trick within four minutes to establish a new La Liga record. This milestone marked the latest entry in a career that has seen the Norwegian striker represent top-tier clubs across England, Germany, Turkey, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Early Career in Norway
Born in Trondheim on 5 December 1995, Sørloth is the son of former Norwegian international striker Gøran Sørloth. He entered the youth system at Rosenborg and secured a professional contract in July 2013. His debut occurred in a Europa League qualifier against Crusaders, where he scored within twelve minutes. He later gained experience on loan at Bodø/Glimt during the 2015 season, contributing 13 goals and five assists in 26 league appearances.
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Sørloth joined the Dutch club Groningen in late 2015 for approximately €750,000. By June 2017, he transitioned to the Danish Superliga with Midtjylland, where he earned the Player of the Month title in September 2017 and eventually won the league title. In January 2018, he signed for Crystal Palace for £9 million, a record sale for the Danish league at that time. Subsequent loan spells took him to Gent and Trabzonspor, where he became the club's top-scoring foreign player in a single season with 29 goals.
La Liga Impact
After a stint at RB Leipzig, which included a Champions League goal against İstanbul Başakşehir, Sørloth returned to Spain. He played two seasons on loan at Real Sociedad before signing with Villarreal in 2023. In 2024, he transferred to Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of €32 million. His tenure in Madrid included significant performances, such as a decisive stoppage-time goal against Barcelona and a Champions League hat-trick against Club Brugge in 2026.
International Participation
Sørloth made his senior debut for Norway on 29 May 2016 against Portugal, scoring his first international goal days later against Iceland. He featured in the 2026 World Cup, starting all matches and scoring five goals during the qualifying phase. During the quarter-final match against England on 11 July 2026, he faced scrutiny for his choice to shoot rather than pass to teammate Erling Haaland.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 December 1995, Trondheim, Norway
- Professional Debut: July 2013, Rosenborg
- Crystal Palace Transfer Fee: £9 million
- Trabzonspor 2019-20 Goal Tally: 29
- Atlético Madrid Signing: August 2024
- 2026 World Cup Status: Squad member
Questions readers ask
What record did Sørloth set in May 2025?
He became the first player in La Liga history to score a hat-trick before the 12th minute during a match against Real Sociedad.
Which clubs has Alexander Sørloth played for?
His professional career includes Rosenborg, Bodø/Glimt, Groningen, Midtjylland, Crystal Palace, Gent, Trabzonspor, RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad, Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid.
