Full name Jahn Ivar Jakobsen 1984–1987 FK Bodo/Glimt Name Mini Jakobsen | Playing position Years Team Height 1.68 m | |
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Date of birth (1965-11-08) 8 November 1965 (age 50) Spouse Anita H. Jakobsen (m. 1998) Children Jannicke Jakobsen, Lena Jakobsen | ||
Jahn Ivar Jakobsen, nicknamed Mini, (born 8 November 1965 in Gravdal) is a Norwegian former football player (winger/forward) who has played for, amongst others, Bodø/Glimt and Rosenborg.
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During the very early years of his career, Jakobsen played at Junkeren and Grand Bodø, two minor Norwegian clubs in the town of Bodø. Mini's actual professional career as a footballer started at the well-known Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt. When he arrived at the club, Bodø/Glimt played in the third division (the third highest division in Norway at the time), but did gain promotion in 1986. In the Norwegian second division, Bodø/Glimt finished in seventh place in 1987. At Bodø/Glimt, Jakobsen was the top scorer for four consecutive seasons: In 1984 with seven goals (third division), in 1985 with 18 goals (third), in 1986 with 26 goals (third) and in 1987 with 16 goals (second division).
In 1988, Jakobsen was transferred to Rosenborg along with teammate Ørjan Berg, and after a successful season – winning the Norwegian double and becoming the Norwegian topscorer – he got his first cap for Norway. At Rosenborg he became well known as a high quality winger/striker.
After the Norwegian 1990 season, Jakobsen was transferred from Rosenborg to the Swiss club BSC Young Boys, and during the next four years hr played for several different European clubs in Switzerland, Germany and Belgium.
In 1994, Jakobsen returned to Rosenborg, and became a part of Rosenborg's better than expected performances in UEFA Champions League tournament. He then played for Norway in the 1998 World Cup, where they made the second round.
Jakobsen successfully ended his professional career at Rosenborg by winning the Norwegian double in 1999. He is now working as a sports reporter at the Norwegian TV channel TV 2.
In his youth, Jakobsen changed his name from Jan Ivar to Jahn Ivar. He later stated that he changed his name because his idol, Norwegian singer Jahn Teigen, wrote his first name with an h.