Sivert Heltne Nilsen, born 2 October 1991 in Norway, is a central defensive midfielder currently plying his trade at Aberdeen. At 6 feet (1.84m) tall and 12 stone 3lb (78kg), he provides a robust presence in the centre of the park. He is easily recognisable on the pitch, wearing the number 6 jersey.
Nilsen's market value is about £325,000 (source) and he is under contract with Aberdeen until 30 June 2027.
A product of the OBOS-ligaen in Norway where he joined Hødd in January 2009, Heltne Nilsen transferred to Valerenga in the Eliteserien in Norway in January 2014. Over two seasons with Valerenga, he made a total of 41 first team appearances in league matches.
In July 2015, he transferred to Brann in the Eliteserien where he spent a substantial part of his career. During his time at Brann, split by a brief spell at Danish side AC Horsens, he made 158 first team appearances and scored seventeen goals over seven seasons.
His time in Denmark was followed by stints in Sweden with IF Elfsborg and in Belgium with Waasland-Beveren. Whilst with Elfsborg, Heltne Nilsen made 33 first team appearances and scored twice over two seasons. His time at Beveren was short-lived; he made nine first team appearances during the 2020-2021 season before transferring back to Brann.
In July 2024, Heltne Nilsen journeyed to the Scottish Premiership, joining Aberdeen for around £245,000. As of the current season (2024-2025), he has made 26 first team appearances in league matches. He's also taken part in the League Cup and Scottish Cup for Aberdeen, with six and two starts respectively.
Throughout his journeyman career, Nilsen has shown a consistent ability to adapt to different leagues and challenges, all while maintaining a reasonably high level of performance in midfield. His unique mix of physical prowess and technical ability make him an intriguing player for any club.
