Viking FK Land Jesper Daland on Loan from Cardiff City
Viking FK have agreed a loan deal with Cardiff City to bring defender Jesper Daland back to Stavanger for the rest of the 2026 season. The move bolsters the squad just as the club prepares for a Champions League play-off second leg and a tight Eliteserien title battle. Daland will be eligible to feature at Lyse Arena from the moment the deal is in place.
Loan Deal Brings Daland Back to Stavanger
Viking FK have secured a loan agreement with Cardiff City that will see defender Jesper Daland return to the club for the remainder of the 2026 season. The deal was confirmed on the club's official news page, and Daland will wear dark blue until at least the end of the current campaign.
The move adds defensive depth at a critical moment in the season, with Viking competing simultaneously in the Eliteserien title race, the UEFA Champions League play-off round and the Norwegian Cup.
Timing Couldn't Be Better
With the Champions League return leg against Dinamo Zagreb scheduled for 26 August at Lyse Arena — and Eliteserien matchday 19 against Aalesund following just three days later on 29 August — squad rotation and cover will be essential. Bringing in an experienced player of Daland's calibre on loan reflects the ambition of a club firmly in the hunt for its first Eliteserien title in years.
Viking currently sit second in the table with 40 points from 17 matches, level on wins with leaders Bodø/Glimt and with one of the most potent attacks in the division.
A Club Moving Forward
The Daland loan is the latest sign that Viking are operating with genuine intent in 2026. Under managers Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen — now in their sixth season together — the club has built a consistent, winning culture. A squad reinforcement of this kind mid-campaign signals that the club's ambitions extend well beyond simply making up the numbers in Europe or at the top of the domestic table.
