Marcus and Martinus have signed for Strindheim, a football club in Norway’s third tier, in a move that turns a local transfer into an unusual pop culture story. The Norwegian twin brothers, best known as one of the Nordic region’s most recognisable pop acts, have joined the Trondheim-based side as it looks to return to the second division.
Why the Strindheim move stands out
It is not unusual for artists to have sporting backgrounds, but it is far less common for established pop stars to sign for a competitive senior football team while still at the centre of their music career. That is what makes the Strindheim announcement notable beyond local football circles.
The club confirmed that Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen had signed after previously playing for Mosjøen. According to the Norwegian reports, the twins moved to separate apartments in Trondheim about a year ago, making a shift to a local club a practical next step if they wanted to continue playing regularly.
What Strindheim said about Marcus and Martinus
The announcement was made through Strindheim’s social media channels and was first reported by local outlet Nidaros, before being picked up by national media in Norway. In its presentation of the players, the club described Marcus as a forward who had scored goals for Mosjøen, while Martinus was presented as a creative and athletic player able to contribute in several positions.
Those descriptions suggest this is not only a publicity move. Strindheim appear to be adding the twins as footballers who can contribute to the squad, even if their arrival will inevitably draw attention far beyond the usual audience for Norway’s third division.
A football transfer with pop star visibility
Strindheim were relegated to the 3. divisjon last season and are aiming to bounce back. In that context, signing two well-known names is a sporting story first, but also an unusual visibility boost for a lower-division club.
For Nordic audiences, Marcus and Martinus are not minor celebrities. The duo built a large following across Scandinavia and internationally, and they reached a wider European audience when they represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with Unforgettable. That makes their move into lower-league football particularly striking: this is not a retired celebrity cameo, but two active pop stars entering a semi-competitive football environment.
Why this curious Norway football story matters
The transfer does not change the balance of Norwegian football, but it says something about the overlap between entertainment, local identity and sport in the Nordic countries. Lower-division football often remains closely tied to place, routine and community life. When two pop stars step into that setting, the contrast itself becomes the story.
It is also a reminder that football careers below the elite level are often more fluid than international audiences assume. In Norway, it is still possible for players to combine sport with other professional paths, even highly visible ones.
The real test, however, will come on the pitch. If Marcus and Martinus feature regularly for Strindheim, what began as a curiosity could become one of the more unusual football side stories of the Norwegian season.
