Brentford defender Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen shared the origin of his unusual nickname, which dates back to his youth career at Danish club Boldklubben af 1893. The 33-year-old, who joined Brentford in 2021, explained that the nickname was coined by his youth coach, Johan Lange, who was inspired by the movie ‘Cool Runnings’ after a crowded car journey back from an away game.
The name ‘Zanka’ stuck and has been used throughout his career, replacing his more common surname ‘Jorgensen.’ Despite the tough season for Brentford in the Premier League, where they currently sit 15th in the table, Zanka has been a key player in their defense, particularly in light of injuries to the team.
He has been commended for his level-headedness and understanding of his role within the group by the coaching staff. Zanka’s Premier League debut came with Huddersfield Town, where he played a crucial role in the team’s relegation battle.
Since then, he has continued to go by his nickname and has been a consistent presence in the Brentford squad. The Bees are set to face Aston Villa in their next match, where they will be looking to end their winless streak against a team vying for a spot in the Champions League.