Dithmer extends contract and moves to FCK first team
Teenage goalkeeper Andreas Dithmer has extended his contract at F.C. Copenhagen until the summer of 2025.
The 16-year-old will also be promoted to FCK's first-team squad from next week.
"Andreas is a great goalkeeping talent who, since he was with us at our training camp in Austria last summer, has impressed us greatly during this season. There is a good head on the kid and he knows that there is a lot of hard work in front of him," says FCK sports director Peter Christiansen.
"Kim Christensen [FCK goalkeeping coach] sees great potential in him, and is looking forward to now being able to work with him every day."
Triumph in tournament in France
Dithmer was in goal over the weekend during FCK's victory in the international U17 tournament in France, where the Lions went all the way and won the final against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.
The 198cm tall shot-stopper was subsequently named the tournament's best goalkeeper, and showed his worth in the 4-2 semi-final penalty shootout win over Anderlecht.
"I am really happy and proud to extend my contract," says Dithmer. "I have trained with the first team quite a few times already, and now a good plan has been laid out for me.
"I am really looking forward to having to training hard with the very best players for the next three years. And I owe a big thank you to all the coaches and teammates who have helped me during my years at FCK Talent.
"My family are FCK fans and I myself have been a fan of the club since I was very young. Johan Wiland was my big idol and then I looked up to Robin Olsen a lot. So of course I dream of playing Parken, in front of all the fans one day. But first and foremost it is about training well at a high level every day."
Dithmer joined FCK Talent from HIK as a 13-year-old, and had already played U19 football a few weeks after he turned 15 back in 2020.
Strength as a shot-stopper
"It has gone well, and it is a great challenge for me to take another step up," says Dithmer. "But I feel well equipped, although of course I have a lot to learn.
"If I have to say it myself, my greatest strength is probably being a good shot-stopper, and I am good with my feet."
This season, Dithmer has performed for FCK's U17 and U19 teams, and has also been in the squad for the first team once, when Kamil Grabara served a suspension against Greek side PAOK in the UEFA Conference League last autumn.
Dithmer will start training ahead of the upcoming season along with the rest of the first team on 16 June.
Andreas Dithmer
Born: 1 August 2005
Position: Goalkeeper
U17 international caps: 3