Mads Bidstrup

Mads Bidstrup (born 25 February 2001) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg.

Bidstrup is a product of the Copenhagen academy and began his senior career in England with Brentford in 2020. He played the majority of his three years with the club away on loan with Nordsjælland in his native Denmark. Bidstrup transferred to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2023. He was capped by Denmark at youth level.

Early career
A midfielder, Bidstrup began his career in the youth systems at Herfølge, Brøndby and Copenhagen. In January 2018, he transferred to German club RB Leipzig for an initial 15 million kr fee. Bidstrup was a part of the RB Leipzig U19 team which reached the 2019 DFB-Pokal Junior Final and despite having three years remaining on his contract, he departed the club in July 2020.

2020–21
On 16 July 2020, Bidstrup joined the B team at English Championship club Brentford on a three-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee. He was included in the first team group for its pre-season training camp at St George's Park, but he suffered a patella injury during the camp, which required surgery. After returning to fitness, Bidstrup made his B team debut in a match versus a Stevenage XI on 14 February 2021 and three days later, he won his maiden call into the first team squad for a league match versus West London rivals Queens Park Rangers. He remained an unused substitute during the 2–1 defeat and was thereafter a regular inclusion on the bench. Bidstrup made six late-season appearances, including a substitute cameo in the promotion-clinching 2–0 2021 Championship play-off final victory over Swansea City on 29 May. He was promoted into the first team squad in June 2021.

2021–2023 and Nordsjælland loans
Bidstrup was a frequent inclusion on the substitutes' bench for Premier League matches during the first half of the 2021–22 season. He predominantly featured in cup competitions and his starting performance in a 4–1 FA Cup third round win over Port Vale on 8 January 2022 was recognised with a nomination for a place in the Team of the Round. Three weeks later and in need of "a run of consecutive matches in order to progress to the next level", Bidstrup joined Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season. He made 13 appearances and signed a new two-year contract (with a two-year option) during the 2022 off-season. Bidstrup rejoined Nordsjælland on loan for the 2022–23 season and his 34 appearances were recognised with the club's Player of the Year award. Bidstrup departed Brentford in July 2023 and he made 14 appearances during his three seasons at the Community Stadium.

Red Bull Salzburg
On 16 July 2023, Bidstrup transferred to Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg and signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made 36 appearances and scored two goals during a 2023–24 season in which the club finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga.

International career
Bidstrup won 31 caps and scored one goal for Denmark between U16 and U21 level. He was called into the U20 squad for two friendlies in June 2021, but withdrew from the squad.

Style of play
Brentford manager Thomas Frank stated that Bidstrup "can play as a number six or a number eight. His pressing ability is excellent in terms of the area that he is able to cover on the pitch and he also has the pace on the half turn with the ball to move it forward".

Personal life
Bidstrup attended Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College.

Honours
Brentford Individual
 * EFL Championship play-offs: 2021


 * Nordsjælland Player of the Year: 2022–23