Kristoffer Ajer (age 28) arrived at Celtic in July 2016 from Start for around £750,000, a rangy Norwegian defender who had already shown a fair bit at senior level back home. His most productive league season at Start had actually come in 2015, when he scored eight times in 28 appearances, which told you something about the way he could affect games even before he had fully settled into his long-term role.
His early development mattered. Rather than stepping straight into being the finished article, Ajer had the sort of spell away from the first team that helped shape him, and when he did establish himself at Celtic he looked far more than a project. His size – towering at 6ft 5in (1.96m) – was obvious enough, but he was not merely a defender built for heading clearances. He could carry the ball, cover ground and play with a bit of authority, which made him a proper first-team player rather than an interesting prospect.
During his time at Celtic, he won three Premiership titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups. That was a successful spell by any sensible measure, and he became an important part of the side before leaving in July 2021 for Brentford in a deal worth around £14m.
The move to Brentford has not left him drifting about in search of a level. He has stayed relevant there and, by 2025-26, remains a regular first-team presence. He has made 27 Premier League appearances and one FA Cup appearance this season, with 28 appearances in all competitions. He has also stayed involved with Norway, featuring in World Cup and qualifying matches and scoring once in European qualifying.
Ajer’s career has followed a clear enough line: early promise at Start, strong development and silverware at Celtic, then a solid established period in England with Brentford. His current market value stands at around £15.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
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