Oliver Provstgaard spent his teenage years dazzling opponents on virtual pitches. In 2021, he won the FIFA 21 eChampions League, pocketing about $75,000 and cementing his status as one of the best esports players in the world. But life took an unexpected turn.

He chose to focus on real grass under his feet, trading controllers for cleats and gradually rising through Denmark’s Vejle Boldklub until called with a contract offer. Now, at 21, he’s swapping screen-side fame for the roar of actual crowds in Rome.

From controller to Lazio’s center-back

It’s not unusual for players to juggle video games and football. Still, it’s rare to see someone go from a champion esports competitor to a professional athlete at one of ‘s historic clubs.

Provstgaard, who stands out as a left-footed defender with impressive power and technique, didn’t always seem destined for Serie A. He initially joined Vejle’s academy at 13, and his coaches noticed his passion for both the digital and physical versions of the game. By the time he turned 18, he had blossomed into a top-tier player in two arenas.

Although the official statement didn’t confirm financial details, reports suggest Lazio paid Vejle about $4.4 million for his transfer. That figure represents a record fee for his former club, which had initially groomed him for Denmark’s top league. Now he’s set to wear the number 25 shirt and compete in Europe’s most tactical championship, where he won’t appear on any console roster but will be live on the pitch.

Provstgaard comes in as the third January signing for Lazio after Arijon Ibrahimovic and Reda Belahyane. None of them will affect the club’s congested Serie A squad list, thanks to their under-22 status. While fans hope to catch a glimpse of him soon, he’s not expected to feature immediately. It might take a few days of training before he can make the matchday squad in Rome.

His résumé already includes 17 caps for Denmark’s Under-21 national team, and he wore the captain’s armband while leading the squad to notable results in European qualifiers. He’s also played over 90 matches in Denmark’s top two divisions, showing a level of experience that belies his young age. Even in a league known for its defensive rigor, he promises to bring pace, positional awareness, and a calm approach to building from the back.

Oliver Provstgaard

Yet his journey started far from any romantic notion of a young star kicking a ball in the street. Instead, he honed skills on a controller and forged a reputation in esports before letting go of that world to chase a single ambition—professional football. It’s a narrative that captures the shifting lines between virtual talent and real-world athleticism, where a champion gamer can become a champion defender.

“Vejle Boldklub has always meant and still means a lot to me,” Provstgaard said on his former club’s website. “It’s a club that has laid out a plan for my football development since I joined as a mere 13-year-old, a club that supported me when I faced challenges, and a club that has developed me both as a person and as a player.” He added, “Now I am taking the next step in my career, and it’s based on hard work and my time at Vejle Boldklub. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has crossed my VB path.”

He leaves Denmark with 91 senior appearances and three for Vejle, plus a trophy cabinet that includes a title from the digital realm. It’s unclear whether he’ll ever again compete at gaming’s highest levels, but given his rapid rise and the excitement in Rome, it’s safe to say he’s too busy setting up in a real back line. Sometimes it takes the unlikeliest script to remind us how close the virtual world can be to reality. For Provstgaard, the next storyline will unfold in Serie A , with an actual ball at his feet.