Norwegian citizenship being granted to a Russian goalkeeper
Rewritten Article:
Nikita Haikin, the standout Russian goalie for Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt, is navigating the process of obtaining Norwegian citizenship, according to his agent Emefi Atta. The 27-year-old has caught the eye not just of Bodø/Glimt, but also the Norwegian national team.
"Nikita is currently working on securing a Norwegian passport," Atta shared with Sport24. "He's a valuable player, and that interest extends to the Norwegian national team. If he gets a nod from the Russian team, he'll make an informed decision," he added.
Haikin joined Bodø/Glimt in 2019 and has since clinched the Norwegian championship a record-breaking twice with the team. Prior to his Norwegian venture, he had a stint in the Israeli league. In late 2021, Haikin found his name on the extended Russian national team list for matches against Cyprus and Croatia. However, he hasn't seen any action for the national team as of yet.
In 2023, Haikin inked a deal with English club Bristol City, but parted ways before making his debut. Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt faced a tough setback, falling to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals.
The suspense surrounding Haikin's future persists as he awaits his Norwegian citizenship and the Norwegian team's call. The latest news points to his engagement to a Norwegian and his desire to reside in the country.
Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing tale. Nikita Haikin's performance in the Europa League has been impressive, particularly his remarkable penalty shootout drama in the 2024-25 tournament[2]. However, the outcome of his citizenship application and subsequent selection to the Norwegian national team are yet to break[1].
[1] "Haikin Citizenship and National Team Selection: Current Status and Prospects", Norwegian Football News, May 2025.[2] "Haikin's Penalty Shootout Heroics: A Turning Point in Bodø/Glimt's Europa Campaign", Norwegian Football News, March 2025.[3] "Bodø/Glimt Trails Tottenham in Europa League Semifinals: Haikin's Future Hangs in the Balance", Norwegian Football News, April 2025.
- Nikita Haikin, the Russian goalkeeper currently playing for Bodø/Glimt in Norway, is eyeing Norwegian citizenship, which could potentially interest the Norwegian national team as well.
- In 2023, Haikin signed with English club Bristol City, but his tenure was short-lived, as he left before making his debut.
- Haikin's future in European leagues remains uncertain, as he waits for the outcome of his Norwegian citizenship application and any potential selection to the Norwegian national team.
- Despite this uncertainty, Haikin's impressive performance in the Europa League, particularly in the penalty shootout drama during the 2024-25 tournament, has garnered attention in Norwegian football circles.
