An emblem of the Danish golden generation

Along with older brother Michael, Brian Laudrup will remain an indelible memory in the minds of every Danish football fan as one of the country's most elegant and most effective players.

Danish forward Brian Laudrup (C) is challenged by Saudi midfielder Khalid al Muwalid (L) and Abdullah Zubromawi, 12 June at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens, northern France, during their 1998 Soccer World Cup group C first round match. The two sides remain scorless in the beginning of the second half. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO Oler MORIN

The talented offensive midfielder, whose threatening runs down the wing proved the bane of many a defender, has enjoyed a prestigious career which began in Denmark and ended with one-time Kings of Europe, Ajax of Amsterdam.

Born in Vienna, Laudrup's professional career began at Brondby as a fresh-faced 16-year-old. He won two Danish Championships and one Danish Cup and by 1990, the brilliant young midfielder had been voted Denmark's best player two years running.

Taking his talents abroad, Germany was Laudrup's first port of call - and the public were not disappointed. With Bayer Uerdingen and above all with Bayern Munich, he spent three fabulous seasons before falling victim to a knee injury.

Late guests grab European Championship

After an operation in the United States, Laudrup rested a few months before being called up, surprisingly like the rest of the Danish squad, for Euro-92 after the political situation in Yugoslavia led to their last minute exclusion.

Danish forward Brian Laudrup kisses the Cup after Denmark defeated Germany 2-0 in the European Nations soccer championship final, 26 June 1992 in Gothenburg. It is the first-ever European title for Denmark.

An impressive display along with his Danish teammates led to the gatecrashers actually winning the competition outright and Laudrup once again winning top player award in his home country.

After two seasons in Italy with Fiorentina and AC Milan, Laudrup headed north to Glasgow Rangers in 1994.

Danish forward Brian Laudrup (R) poses on the pitch next to team-mate Soren Colding (L) after Laudrup score the 2-2 equalizer 03 July during the 1998 Soccer World Cup quarter-final match between Denmark and Brazil at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. Brazil is leading 3-2 in the second half. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO

With everything to his liking in Scotland, including a team with European ambitions and a league in which he could easily display his vast array of talents, Laudrup found himself at the other end of the stress pole from the Serie A.

Indeed, he felt right at home at Ibrox Park - so much so that he developed a broad Scottish accent - where his influence helped in the harvest of five titles.

Laudrup said his goodbyes to the national set-up during France '98 when he scored 3 goals in Denmark's run to the quarter-finals.

His next move took him to Chelsea, where he stayed a matter of months before returning home to Copenhagen.

Despite the attention of the national team coach, Laudrup rebuked all requests to play for his country again, deciding to concentrate solely on his club career which ended with Ajax in 2000.