Claus Jensen

Claus William Jensen (born 29 April 1977) is a former Danish professional footballer, who played as an attacking midfielder. Jensen played 47 games and scored 8 goals for the Denmark national football team, and represented Denmark at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship tournaments. He is the cousin of FC Vestsjælland winger Anders Due. He now works for the Danish TV Channel 6'eren as a commentator on Premier League.

Jensen was born in Nykøbing Falster, and played for a number of Danish lower-league teams, making his debut for the Danish under-19 national team in November 1995. In May 1996, he was loaned out from Danish second division club Nykøbing Falster Alliancen to Næstved BK in the Danish Superliga. He played four games while at Næstved, but could not prevent the club from being relegated at the end of the season. He moved permanently to Superliga club Lyngby FC in June 1996, signing a contract alongside later Danish international Dennis Rommedahl.

He played two years at Lyngby before moving to play in England in July 1998. He was bought by First Division (now Championship) club Bolton Wanderers in a deal worth 1.8 million DKK. While at Bolton, he debuted for the Danish national team in March 2000.

In July 2000, he moved to Premiership club Charlton Athletic for £4 million, and became a popular player with fans due to his influence during games. The Charlton support would sing his name to the tune "charge" (often used during baseball matches), using Claus for the build-up and singing his full name "Claus William Jensen" at the climax. He was called up to the Danish squad for the 2002 World Cup, where he made a single appearance as a substitute. In February 2003, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 friendly win against Egypt; one of the goals was scored from a direct free kick. He also represented Denmark at the 2004 European Championship, where he took part in three of Denmark's four matches.

After more than 100 games for Charlton, in July 2004 he moved to the Addicks' London rivals Fulham in a transfer deal worth £1.25 million. He made his Fulham debut at Manchester City on 14 August 2004. He spent three years with Fulham, but was plagued by injury and on 17 May 2007, Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez decided to release him; Jensen claims his release was inevitable because he did not fit into Sanchez's long ball tactics. After three years with repeating injuries, he chose to end his professional career on 25 August 2007.