Overview
Simon Makienok is a Danish professional footballer, born on November 21, 1990, in Næstved, Denmark. Primarily operating as a forward, Makienok is distinguished by his imposing physical stature, standing at 2.01 meters (6 ft 7 in). This height makes him a prominent figure in aerial contests and a natural target man in various attacking systems. His career has seen him feature for clubs across Denmark, Italy, Scotland, and the Netherlands, contributing goals and assists across different leagues.
Position
As a center-forward, Makienok's primary role revolves around leading the line, holding up play, and providing a focal point for his team's attack. His height makes him a significant threat in the box, particularly from crosses and set-pieces. He is often tasked with occupying opposition defenders, creating space for teammates, and contributing to build-up play through flick-ons and lay-offs. While his goal-scoring record has varied across his career, his physical attributes remain a consistent asset.
Identity
Makienok's identity on the pitch can be summarized as a classic target man. He is a player whose primary strengths lie in his aerial dominance, ability to link play, and physical presence. Coaches often deploy him when seeking to disrupt compact defenses, provide an outlet for long balls, or add a direct threat in attacking transitions. His consistent application of these attributes has allowed him to carve out a professional career spanning over a decade, adapting his game to different tactical environments.
Career path
Simon Makienok's journey through professional football began in Denmark, progressing through various clubs before making moves abroad. His youth career included time at Herfølge Boldklub before moving to HB Køge, where he began his senior career.
HB Køge
Makienok made his senior debut for HB Køge in 2009. His time with the club saw him develop his physical game and goalscoring instincts. He played a significant role for the club in the Danish Superliga and later in the Danish 1st Division. His performances attracted attention from larger Danish clubs.
Brøndby IF
In 2012, Makienok transferred to Brøndby IF, one of Denmark's most prominent clubs. At Brøndby, he established himself as a key attacker, scoring regularly in the Superliga. During his two-year spell, he netted 23 goals in 57 league appearances, becoming a fan favorite and drawing interest from European leagues. His move to Brøndby was confirmed by Transfermarkt, noting his departure in 2014.
Palermo
Makienok's strong form earned him a move to Italian Serie A side Palermo in 2014. This marked his first venture into one of Europe's top leagues. While his time in Italy was challenging, with limited appearances, it provided valuable experience in a highly competitive environment.
Loan Spells and Subsequent Moves
Following his time at Palermo, Makienok embarked on several loan spells to gain more playing time. He joined Charlton Athletic in the English Championship for the 2015-16 season, followed by a move to Preston North End, also in the Championship, for the 2016-17 season. His time in England further honed his physical game against robust defenders. He then moved to Dutch club FC Utrecht in 2017. Later, he returned to Denmark with FC Helsingør and then moved to AC Horsens. In 2020, he joined St. Pauli in Germany, playing in the 2. Bundesliga. His transfer history is well-documented on Wikipedia's page for Simon Makienok.
Playing style
Simon Makienok's playing style is defined by his profound physical attributes and tactical understanding of the center-forward role. His height of 2.01 meters makes him a dominant aerial presence, a characteristic that underpins much of his offensive contribution. He excels in winning headers, both defensively from set-pieces and offensively to create goal-scoring opportunities or flick on for teammates.
As a target man, Makienok's ability to hold up the ball is crucial. He uses his strength to shield the ball from defenders, allowing midfielders to join the attack and facilitating link-up play. This aspect of his game means he often acts as a pivot, bringing others into play rather than constantly looking to run in behind. Data from platforms like FBref often highlights his involvement in aerial duels and progressive passes received.
While not known for blistering pace or intricate dribbling, Makienok's movement within the penalty area is intelligent. He positions himself effectively to meet crosses and capitalize on rebounds. His finishing, particularly with his head, is a key asset. He is a player who thrives on service from wide areas and set-piece situations.
Defensively, Makienok contributes through his work rate in pressing opposition defenders and midfielders, particularly in the final third. His physical presence can also be utilized in defensive set-piece situations, providing an additional tall body to clear danger. His style can be compared to other traditional target forwards known for their aerial prowess and hold-up play, such as Peter Crouch or Jan Koller, albeit with variations in specific technical abilities.
Achievements & honours
Simon Makienok's career has seen him contribute to team successes, primarily during his tenures in Danish football. While he may not boast an extensive individual trophy cabinet, his impact on the pitch has been recognized by clubs and fans alike.
His most notable team achievements largely stem from his time with Brøndby IF, where he was a key player during a period of resurgence for the club. He has also been part of squads that achieved promotion or strong league finishes in various European leagues.
Club Achievements
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| HB Køge | Danish 1st Division (Runner-up, promotion) | 2011-12 |
International career
Simon Makienok has represented the Denmark national football team, earning several caps for his country. His debut for the senior national team came in a friendly match against Poland on August 14, 2013. He was part of the squad during qualifying campaigns for major tournaments, although he did not make appearances in the final tournaments themselves.
His international appearances have primarily been in friendly matches and as a rotational option during competitive qualifiers. Makienok's role for Denmark typically mirrored his club role: providing a physical presence upfront, particularly when the team required a direct attacking option or needed to hold up the ball against strong defenses. His call-ups reflected his form at club level, particularly during his successful spell with Brøndby IF.
Although he did not consistently feature as a starter, his inclusion in national squads demonstrates recognition of his unique physical attributes and tactical utility. His national team statistics, including caps and goals, are documented by sources such as FIFA's player profile. As of 2026, he has accumulated 6 caps for the Danish national team.
What makes Simon Makienok stand out
Simon Makienok stands out primarily due to his exceptional physical stature and his proficiency in aerial duels. At 2.01 meters, he is one of the tallest professional footballers, a characteristic that has defined his playing style and tactical utility throughout his career. This height makes him an invaluable asset for winning long balls, contesting crosses, and creating chaos in the opposition penalty area, making him a classic target man.
Another distinguishing trait is his ability to operate as a focal point for his team's attack. He possesses the strength and technique to hold up play effectively, allowing teammates to make runs beyond him or to combine in tight spaces. This hold-up play is crucial for teams that employ a direct style or need an outlet under pressure. His contributions often extend beyond goal-scoring, encompassing critical assists through flick-ons or lay-offs that unlock defenses.
"Makienok gives you a different dimension. His aerial threat and ability to occupy two defenders change how you attack." – Editorial summation by fixturepedia.