Birk Risa

Birk Risa left Molde once with a league title and a cup already in the bag, and came back five years later saying he wanted his children to grow up in Norway. The move, in July 2025, was a free transfer after his contract at New York City FC ran out; he signed for three years, until July 2028.

The path out of Stavanger ran through Sola FK and Sandnes Ulf before the 1. FC Köln academy took him in 2014. He made his Bundesliga debut for Köln in December 2017, but the appearances did not follow. In March 2018 he moved permanently to Odd BK, on a contract to December 2021, for regular football.

Molde signed him in October 2020. That first spell brought 95 appearances and three goals, the Norwegian Cup in the 2021–22 season and the Eliteserien title in 2022.

New York City FC paid around $1 million for him in July 2023, on a deal through 2025 with an option for 2026. It did not settle. Injuries in 2024 and again in 2025 cost him his place in the side, and he never won the starting position back before the contract expired.

For Norway he has 23 caps and seven goals at under-21 level — an unusual return for a left-footed centre-back — along with six at under-19 and three at under-17. He has yet to play for the senior national team.