 Høyem was born in Trondheim, and played for the local club Sjetne as a kid, before he began his professional career at Rosenborg, playing for the club's reserve team.Høyem started his career as a forward, but was used as a centre back in Rosenborg because the club considered him to have greater potential in that position.Høyem was capped seven times and scored two goals for the Norwegian under-18 team in 2000.