[2] When enrolling at the Norwegian Police University College in Oslo in 1994, he needed to stay in shape and began training with Lyn, who were playing in the 1st Division at the time.

In the 1996-season, Tessem scored 15 goals in 22 matches, helping Lyn earn promotion to the highest division.

[2] He was signed by Dave Jones for Southampton for £600,000 in 1999, and made his debut on 20 November 1999 at home to Tottenham Hotspur playing an unfamiliar role as right-back in place of the injured Jason Dodd.

He was a regular player up to the 2002–03 season and played in the FA Cup final against Arsenal on 17 May 2003, coming on as a late substitute for Anders Svensson.

He was then loaned out to Millwall where he scored once against Cardiff,[6] before signing a three-year contract with Lyn at the start of the 2005 season.

He played for Lyn in the Norwegian Premier League in 2007, before deciding to move back to England, where his partner was born.

[11] Tessem returned to Wessex League side Totton & Eling in summer 2010 in order to play for the club.

[12] Having played several matches at the end of the 2017–18 season for the club, Tessem rejoined Wessex League Division One side Hythe & Dibden.