Rushfeldt breaks Norwegian top-flight goal record

Tromsø IL striker Sigurd Rushfeldt is celebrating after becoming the all-time leading scorer in Norway's Eliteserien.

The 38-year-old stylishly surpassed the 166-goal record of former Rosenborg BK team-mate Harald Brattbakk by registering a hat-trick in Sunday's 4-0 home victory against SK Brann. Rushfeldt's treble came almost 19 years to the day since he scored the first of his 168 goals in the Norwegian top flight, against IK Start on 31 May 1992.

"I have worked very hard to reach this tally," said the former Norwegian international, who has also played for Birmingham City FC, Real Racing Club and FK Austria Wien. "I've had it in my sights for some time, so now I am relieved, happy and very satisfied."

Brattbakk added: "I couldn't be overtaken by a better man than Sigurd. We both scored a lot of goals when we played together at Rosenborg, and I am impressed by how he keeps playing at the highest level."

All-time Eliteserien top scorers:
1. Sigurd Rushfeldt 168 goals (Tromsø IL 95, Rosenborg BK 73)
2. Harald Brattbakk 166 (Rosenborg BK 150, FK Bodø/Glimt 16)
3. Petter Belsvik 159 (Molde FK 20, HamKam Fotball 23, IK Start 38, Stabæk Fotball 60, Rosenborg BK 5, Vålerenga Fotball 12, Lillestrøm SK 1)
4. Odd Iversen 158 (Rosenborg BK 123, Vålerenga Fotball 35)

Rushfeldt's record in numbers: 
1992-1996: Tromsø IL 49 goals in 97 matches
1997-1999: Rosenborg BK 67 in 66
2001: Rosenborg BK 6 in 10
2006-: Tromsø 46 in 109
Total: 168 goals in 282 matches