The new USA league drafts Damallsvenskan players
The new professional USA league Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced the result of their first international draft late yesterday. 28 international players, 4 for each team, were drafted. Six of these are or have been playing in Damallsvenskan this season: Brazilians Marta (Umeå), Daniela (Linköping) and Cristiane (played first half season with Linköping), Australia's Lisa De Vanna (AIK) and the two Swedes Lotta Schelin (Göteborg, but since September 1 in Lyon, France) and Caroline Jönsson (LDB FC Malmö).
The draft doesn't mean that there is any agreement between club and player or that they have even been talking. It is simply a way to distribute the WPS rights to a particular player. The clubs now needs to get in touch with players and their clubs and start negotiations.
Not all players on the 28 player list will join the American league. The Brazilians and De Vanna are all on contracts that will run out in November, and should be available for discussions. That's not necessarily the case with the Swedes. Jönsson is already contracted for 2009 and Lotta Schelin has just started her two year contract in Lyon. Let's just say that these two are less likely to end up in WPS in the near future.
This news is still pretty new, so there is no comments in Swedish media yet, just the news flash.
Aftonbladet: Marta närmare proffsdrömmen (pretty much the same text, from the news agency TT, appears in all major Swedish news outlets)
WPS: WPS holds International Draft (the official announcement, full list of drafted players)
The draft doesn't mean that there is any agreement between club and player or that they have even been talking. It is simply a way to distribute the WPS rights to a particular player. The clubs now needs to get in touch with players and their clubs and start negotiations.
Not all players on the 28 player list will join the American league. The Brazilians and De Vanna are all on contracts that will run out in November, and should be available for discussions. That's not necessarily the case with the Swedes. Jönsson is already contracted for 2009 and Lotta Schelin has just started her two year contract in Lyon. Let's just say that these two are less likely to end up in WPS in the near future.
This news is still pretty new, so there is no comments in Swedish media yet, just the news flash.
Aftonbladet: Marta närmare proffsdrömmen (pretty much the same text, from the news agency TT, appears in all major Swedish news outlets)
WPS: WPS holds International Draft (the official announcement, full list of drafted players)
Perpetua Nkwocha signs 2009 contract with Sunnanå
Sunnanå has had a fairly disappointing season, finishing just above the relegation line, but are gearing up for the 2009 season.
Their first in what they hope to be several important signings is Perpetua Nkwocha, who just has signed a new 6 month contract for the 2009 season. Nkwocha, who originally was a forward, has been playing midfield for Sunnanå, where she has been one of their most important players. Sport director Sören Gustafsson is of course very pleased to see Nkwocha, or Pepe is she is called in Sunnanå, for a third season.
Other national team players are also of interest for Sunnanå. The 22 years old midfielder Kirsty Yallop from New Zealand's Olympic team will come to Sunnanå for a try-out next week. The club has also contacted LDB FC Malmö, announcing their interest in national team keeper Caroline Jönsson, who is currently studying in nearby Umeå. And two of Umeå Södra's best players, midfielder Hanna Folkesson and attacker Linda Fransson have attracted the club's interest, as has the prolific goalscorer Elin Lundström from the local 2nd division side Åkullsjön.
But the maybe most interesting news is that a 30 year old mother of a newborned child has started training with the team. But Hanna Marklund says "I just want to see if I still think it's fun" and refuses to comment ion any plans for the 2009 season.
Norra Västerbotten: Pepe stannar ett år till, OS-spelare ska testa i Sunnanå, Elin på glid till Sunnanå
Their first in what they hope to be several important signings is Perpetua Nkwocha, who just has signed a new 6 month contract for the 2009 season. Nkwocha, who originally was a forward, has been playing midfield for Sunnanå, where she has been one of their most important players. Sport director Sören Gustafsson is of course very pleased to see Nkwocha, or Pepe is she is called in Sunnanå, for a third season.
Other national team players are also of interest for Sunnanå. The 22 years old midfielder Kirsty Yallop from New Zealand's Olympic team will come to Sunnanå for a try-out next week. The club has also contacted LDB FC Malmö, announcing their interest in national team keeper Caroline Jönsson, who is currently studying in nearby Umeå. And two of Umeå Södra's best players, midfielder Hanna Folkesson and attacker Linda Fransson have attracted the club's interest, as has the prolific goalscorer Elin Lundström from the local 2nd division side Åkullsjön.
But the maybe most interesting news is that a 30 year old mother of a newborned child has started training with the team. But Hanna Marklund says "I just want to see if I still think it's fun" and refuses to comment ion any plans for the 2009 season.
Norra Västerbotten: Pepe stannar ett år till, OS-spelare ska testa i Sunnanå, Elin på glid till Sunnanå
Johanna Rasmussen re-signs with Umeå
Umeå IK's Danish forward/winger Johanna Rasmussen has signed a new one year contract with the club, making her the 13th player to re-sign. Umeå's manager Andrée Jeglertz needs six more players to keep the 19 player squad he has had this season. But he is not worried: "There are still a few question-marks, but there is no reason for panic". He also states that even if all 19 would extend their contracts, he will sign at least one new player: "That is always good for the group".
Among the players unsigned for 2009 are veterans Hanna Ljungberg and Frida Östberg, where the question isn't about Umeå or any other club, but about playing or not playing. The same goes for keeper Ulla-Karin Rönnlund, who has two young children. Marta is negotiating, presumably not only with Umeå.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Rasmussen stannar i UIK, Lagbygget rullar stabilt på
Hammarby IF has reached agreements with three key players, Anna Lindblom, Matilda Agné and Elin Sölveskog. Lindblom and Agné, both youth national team players, have signed for two years .
Hammarby: Anna, Matilda och Elin förlänger
Linköping's young star and newest national team player Kosovare Asllani has not yet come to an agreement with her club. She says that she will listen to all offers that comes her way and admits that she has already been contacted by LDB FC Malmö. What will be important for her is that she is seen as a starter: "I don't want to start the season on the bench again", says the 19 years old and continues "You can erase that 'talent' word. I think I have proven myself now. "
Corren: LFC kan snuvas på Asllani
Among the players unsigned for 2009 are veterans Hanna Ljungberg and Frida Östberg, where the question isn't about Umeå or any other club, but about playing or not playing. The same goes for keeper Ulla-Karin Rönnlund, who has two young children. Marta is negotiating, presumably not only with Umeå.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Rasmussen stannar i UIK, Lagbygget rullar stabilt på
Hammarby IF has reached agreements with three key players, Anna Lindblom, Matilda Agné and Elin Sölveskog. Lindblom and Agné, both youth national team players, have signed for two years .
Hammarby: Anna, Matilda och Elin förlänger
Linköping's young star and newest national team player Kosovare Asllani has not yet come to an agreement with her club. She says that she will listen to all offers that comes her way and admits that she has already been contacted by LDB FC Malmö. What will be important for her is that she is seen as a starter: "I don't want to start the season on the bench again", says the 19 years old and continues "You can erase that 'talent' word. I think I have proven myself now. "
Corren: LFC kan snuvas på Asllani
Melis stays three more years in Malmö
21 years old Dutch striker Manon Melis, the leading goalscorer in Damallsvenskan, has signed a new contract with LDB FC Malmö, which keeps her in the club for three more years. Coach Jörgen Pettersson is very pleased with her development the 18 months she has been with the club and says that "she will continue to be very important for us".
Expressen: Skyttedrottning stannar i Malmö
Kopparbergs/Göteborg has brought back Elin Dahl Örn to the club from 1 st division Byttorp, where she has been on loan. The club wants to strengthen their team for the last matches this season.
Kopparbergs/Göteborg: Elin Dahl-Örn
Linköping offers Cristiane 2009 contract, Umeå negotiates with Marta
With rich European clubs like Lyon and the new American professional league WPS stepping on the scene, the competition for top footballers is definitely stronger for the 2009 season than it has been for 2008. Unconfirmed rumours says that Marta and Cristiane has been asking for USD 400,000 a year to play in WPS. But that doesn't discourage Swedish clubs.
Linköping reveals that they have given Cristiane a contract offer for the 2009 season. Linköping's chairman Christer Mård says that he believes that he has a good chance: "If she comes back, she knows what she comes back to. And she enjoyed a lot playing here".
Aftonbladet: Linköping har inte gett upp Cristiane
At the same time, it is rumoured that three different WPS clubs are also talking to Cristiane. And the big Brazilian club Corinthians female side has secured a sponsor, that offers Cristiane a monthly salary of about SEK 95,000 if she plays for the club.
JB Online: Presidente corintiano sonha com contratação de Marta
Umeå IK has started negotiations with Marta's agent Fabiano Farah. Umeå's sport director Britta Åkerlund says that Marta is their top priority, "but there is of course a limit. The competition is growing and it will probably take more than last year to keep her". Manager Andrée Jeglertz says that he hopes and believes that Marta will stay, "not the least because of the high quality of football we have here".
Västerbottenskuriren: Marta prio 1 för Umeå IK
Marta's contract with Umeå finishes after November and several clubs have announced their interest to talk to her. The strongest bidders are probably clubs in the WPS league. Fabiano Farah says that he is expecting a big proposal from the American side: "All the big owners in the league wants her. Their visions is to have Marta as the new poster name for the league. They're trying to put together a proposal for a long term contract".
Västerbottens Folkblad: Marta kan vara förlorad för Umeå IK
Linköping reveals that they have given Cristiane a contract offer for the 2009 season. Linköping's chairman Christer Mård says that he believes that he has a good chance: "If she comes back, she knows what she comes back to. And she enjoyed a lot playing here".
Aftonbladet: Linköping har inte gett upp Cristiane
At the same time, it is rumoured that three different WPS clubs are also talking to Cristiane. And the big Brazilian club Corinthians female side has secured a sponsor, that offers Cristiane a monthly salary of about SEK 95,000 if she plays for the club.
JB Online: Presidente corintiano sonha com contratação de Marta
Umeå IK has started negotiations with Marta's agent Fabiano Farah. Umeå's sport director Britta Åkerlund says that Marta is their top priority, "but there is of course a limit. The competition is growing and it will probably take more than last year to keep her". Manager Andrée Jeglertz says that he hopes and believes that Marta will stay, "not the least because of the high quality of football we have here".
Västerbottenskuriren: Marta prio 1 för Umeå IK
Marta's contract with Umeå finishes after November and several clubs have announced their interest to talk to her. The strongest bidders are probably clubs in the WPS league. Fabiano Farah says that he is expecting a big proposal from the American side: "All the big owners in the league wants her. Their visions is to have Marta as the new poster name for the league. They're trying to put together a proposal for a long term contract".
Västerbottens Folkblad: Marta kan vara förlorad för Umeå IK
Jessica Landström uncertain about continuing in Linköping
Jessica Landström, who transferred from the Stockholm side Hammarby to Linköping last year, has had great success both in her club team and in the Swedish national team. But in spite of getting close to a league and cup double with her Linköping, she is not certain that she stays after the season: "I've got all my friends in Stockholm and I'm keeping all doors open for a while".
Linköping does of course want to keep her and Landström says that she takes all alternatives into consideration. She likes it in Linköping and if the club manages to hold on to the core of the team "it would be ok to continue playing here", she says. On the other hand, she and her partner Sara has just bought a new apartment in Stockholm, where she spends most of her time. And, she says "it would be exciting with USA when they are starting up the new league. And Lotta [Schelin] got to go to France".
Expressen: Jagar dubbeln - men snart kan stjärnan lämna Linköping
Idle speculations: She is not cheap, she has a decent full time professional contract with Linköping. Hammarby most certainly can't afford to take her back. Djurgården could do well with a forward like her and she has played there before, but the club is not known for offering young domestic players good contracts. AIK has the money and might have to replace Lisa De Vanna, who could go back home to Australia, where a new league is starting, or to the WPS league in USA. Umeå is of course always a force to be reckoned with, but even if Landström is from the far north it doesn't seem likely that she will move far from Stockholm. Unless she moves abroad. Her name has been mentioned on wish-lists of international players for the WPS league in USA. Still, that's just speculation. We'll have to wait and see.
Linköping does of course want to keep her and Landström says that she takes all alternatives into consideration. She likes it in Linköping and if the club manages to hold on to the core of the team "it would be ok to continue playing here", she says. On the other hand, she and her partner Sara has just bought a new apartment in Stockholm, where she spends most of her time. And, she says "it would be exciting with USA when they are starting up the new league. And Lotta [Schelin] got to go to France".
Expressen: Jagar dubbeln - men snart kan stjärnan lämna Linköping
Idle speculations: She is not cheap, she has a decent full time professional contract with Linköping. Hammarby most certainly can't afford to take her back. Djurgården could do well with a forward like her and she has played there before, but the club is not known for offering young domestic players good contracts. AIK has the money and might have to replace Lisa De Vanna, who could go back home to Australia, where a new league is starting, or to the WPS league in USA. Umeå is of course always a force to be reckoned with, but even if Landström is from the far north it doesn't seem likely that she will move far from Stockholm. Unless she moves abroad. Her name has been mentioned on wish-lists of international players for the WPS league in USA. Still, that's just speculation. We'll have to wait and see.
No northern club interest for Caroline Jönsson
LDB FC Malmö's national team goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson has spent the last days training with 1st division side Sundsvalls DFF, a couple of hours south of Caroline's new home in Umeå. Former Sweden goalkeeper and Malmö goalkeeper coach Elisabeth Leidinge is working with the club and is happy to have the national team star on the training sessions.
Caroline Jönsson hopes to be able to find teams to train with closer to Umeå. But LDB FC has matches against all three northern clubs in Damallsvenskan, so guesting training sessions with these are not yet an opportunity.
When it comes to where Jönsson will play club football in the future, there isn't much news. She herself refuses to talk publicly about it until the season is finished. All three Damallsvenskan sides in the north - Umeå IK, Sunnanå SK, Umeå Södra FF - claims they are satisfied with the goalkeepers they've got. But Sundsvall's coach Sören Ericson, who wished his team played in Damallsvenskan so that he could hire Jönsson, might still be right when he said "There isn't a single club up here that wouldn't want her on their team".
Norra Västerbotten: Sunnanå jagar inte Jönsson
Sundsvalls Tidning: Träning som bär sig
Caroline Jönsson hopes to be able to find teams to train with closer to Umeå. But LDB FC has matches against all three northern clubs in Damallsvenskan, so guesting training sessions with these are not yet an opportunity.
When it comes to where Jönsson will play club football in the future, there isn't much news. She herself refuses to talk publicly about it until the season is finished. All three Damallsvenskan sides in the north - Umeå IK, Sunnanå SK, Umeå Södra FF - claims they are satisfied with the goalkeepers they've got. But Sundsvall's coach Sören Ericson, who wished his team played in Damallsvenskan so that he could hire Jönsson, might still be right when he said "There isn't a single club up here that wouldn't want her on their team".
Norra Västerbotten: Sunnanå jagar inte Jönsson
Sundsvalls Tidning: Träning som bär sig
Caroline Jönsson moves to Umeå
LDB FC Malmö's goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson moves to Umeå. She has been accepted by the psychology programme at Umeå University and has just started her studies.
She will however continue to play for Malmö the rest of this season. After the season and the first semester at the university, she will evaluate her situation and make a decision. I presume it will be about moving schools or moving clubs. As long as I have followed her, Caroline has talked about studying for a Master of Science in Psychology as one of her ambitions.
In an interview with Swedish radio, she talks about Umeå University's generous attitude towards top-level sports, which I think favours her staying up north.
She also tells that she has been well recieved by her mates from the national team. She has been staying with Frida Östberg and loaned Hanna Ljungberg's car.
Sydsvenskan: Caroline Jönsson har lämnat Malmö
Västerbottenskuriren: Världsmålvakt flyttar till Umeå
Sveriges radio: Malmös Caroline Jönsson flyttar norrut (with radio interview)
She will however continue to play for Malmö the rest of this season. After the season and the first semester at the university, she will evaluate her situation and make a decision. I presume it will be about moving schools or moving clubs. As long as I have followed her, Caroline has talked about studying for a Master of Science in Psychology as one of her ambitions.
In an interview with Swedish radio, she talks about Umeå University's generous attitude towards top-level sports, which I think favours her staying up north.
She also tells that she has been well recieved by her mates from the national team. She has been staying with Frida Östberg and loaned Hanna Ljungberg's car.
Sydsvenskan: Caroline Jönsson har lämnat Malmö
Västerbottenskuriren: Världsmålvakt flyttar till Umeå
Sveriges radio: Malmös Caroline Jönsson flyttar norrut (with radio interview)
Anna Paulsson stays at Umeå & some other player news
Sweden's fullback Anna Paulsson has decided to stay at Umeå, signing a new one year contract. The 24 years old have been in Umeå since 2001.
Västerbottenskuriren: Påla förlänger kontraktet
Linda Lundström, 16 years old defender, has been moved up to AIK's senoir team. Lundström, an own club product, has been on loan to 2nd division side Brommapojkarna this season and will continue to play with them while training with AIK.
AIK: Linda Lundström uppflyttad till A-truppen
LDB FC Malmö continues their cooperation with 1st division side Tyresö FF. During the summer break, several first team players were loaned out from Malmö to the Stockholm suburb club. Now there is a new loan deal, keeping young Turkish midfilder Aylin Yaren in Tyresö the rest of the season. Defender Lina Rehov with Sweden U19 experience, who earlier was set to play college soccer in Florida, has also accepted to go to Tyresö on loan.
Tyresö FF: Lina Rehov klar för Tyresö FF
Thomas Sjöbeck, leader of Kristianstad's successful youth program, has left all his assignments with the club. He says he can't accept that the club hires expensive players, that can't compete for a spot on the first team, while the club never gives a chance to his young players. This gives the wrong signals to their young talents.
Club manager Ulf Berglund replied that the team would have had hard work trying to avoid relegation, if they hadn't signed players like Kia McNeal and Ifeoma Dieke. But this is the team's first season in the top tier and Berglund admits that he and the club management surely has made mistakes. Developing own talent is still one of the club's main priorities.
The new players Sjöbeck are talking about are most probably not McNeill and Dieke, who are both key players, but rather American Alyssa Oldenkamp and Malmö loanee Antonia Göransson. Both have so far only been playing with Kristianstad's farm team and not even dressed for a Damallsvenskan match.
Kristianstadsbladet: "KDFF skickar ut fel signaler"
Västerbottenskuriren: Påla förlänger kontraktet
Linda Lundström, 16 years old defender, has been moved up to AIK's senoir team. Lundström, an own club product, has been on loan to 2nd division side Brommapojkarna this season and will continue to play with them while training with AIK.
AIK: Linda Lundström uppflyttad till A-truppen
LDB FC Malmö continues their cooperation with 1st division side Tyresö FF. During the summer break, several first team players were loaned out from Malmö to the Stockholm suburb club. Now there is a new loan deal, keeping young Turkish midfilder Aylin Yaren in Tyresö the rest of the season. Defender Lina Rehov with Sweden U19 experience, who earlier was set to play college soccer in Florida, has also accepted to go to Tyresö on loan.
Tyresö FF: Lina Rehov klar för Tyresö FF
Thomas Sjöbeck, leader of Kristianstad's successful youth program, has left all his assignments with the club. He says he can't accept that the club hires expensive players, that can't compete for a spot on the first team, while the club never gives a chance to his young players. This gives the wrong signals to their young talents.
Club manager Ulf Berglund replied that the team would have had hard work trying to avoid relegation, if they hadn't signed players like Kia McNeal and Ifeoma Dieke. But this is the team's first season in the top tier and Berglund admits that he and the club management surely has made mistakes. Developing own talent is still one of the club's main priorities.
The new players Sjöbeck are talking about are most probably not McNeill and Dieke, who are both key players, but rather American Alyssa Oldenkamp and Malmö loanee Antonia Göransson. Both have so far only been playing with Kristianstad's farm team and not even dressed for a Damallsvenskan match.
Kristianstadsbladet: "KDFF skickar ut fel signaler"
Umeå re-signs Westberg, Dahlqvist & other transfer news
Umeå IK continues in their work to secure key players for the 2009 season. Experienced defender Karolina Westberg became the 9th player to commit for the 2009 season, followed by midfielder Lisa Dahlkvist, who also extended her stay in Umeå with one year.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Umeå IK förlänger med nyckelspelare
Umeå IK: Ytterligare en nyckelspelare klar för 2009
Elin Ekblom Bak is very pleased with her first year with AIK and has decided to sign a new two year deal, keeping her with the club over 2010.
AIK: Elin Ekblom Bak förlänger kontraktet med AIK
After taking a big step towards a renewed Damallsvenskan contract with the win over Umeå Södra last Saturday, Kristianstad's sport director Uffe Berglund has started making plans for next year. His first priority is to find a way to keep his team's centre defense duo Kia McNeill and Ifeoma Dieke. It will be a big cost for the small club, but Berglund seems optimistic.
Kristianstadsbladet: "Jag är stolt över tjejerna"
And Linköping's Brazilian midfielder Daniela says to SVT that she would be happy if she got an offer from Linköping for the 2009 season.
SVT: Daniela vill stanna i Linköping (video, interview in English)
Västerbottens Folkblad: Umeå IK förlänger med nyckelspelare
Umeå IK: Ytterligare en nyckelspelare klar för 2009
Elin Ekblom Bak is very pleased with her first year with AIK and has decided to sign a new two year deal, keeping her with the club over 2010.
AIK: Elin Ekblom Bak förlänger kontraktet med AIK
After taking a big step towards a renewed Damallsvenskan contract with the win over Umeå Södra last Saturday, Kristianstad's sport director Uffe Berglund has started making plans for next year. His first priority is to find a way to keep his team's centre defense duo Kia McNeill and Ifeoma Dieke. It will be a big cost for the small club, but Berglund seems optimistic.
Kristianstadsbladet: "Jag är stolt över tjejerna"
And Linköping's Brazilian midfielder Daniela says to SVT that she would be happy if she got an offer from Linköping for the 2009 season.
SVT: Daniela vill stanna i Linköping (video, interview in English)
Lotta and Lyon: Finally signed
Olympique Lyon declared already last Wednesday, that Lotta Schelin had signed a two year deal with the French champions. But Lotta has denied this, stating that there still are details to agree on. But today, Sunday, she has signed a contract and will travel to Lyon already early tomorrow morning. She might make her first appearence for the club already next weekend, when Lyon will be hosting Montpellier.
Lotta says that it has always been her ambition to play professionally abroad and she is happy they have agreed. Lyon has a great team and there are good conditions for her to play and develop. In particular she looks forward to playing in Women's Cup, where Lyon is one of the favourites to win the championship. She doesn't comment on her salary other than that she is satisfied with her contract.
Göteborg FC receives more than SEK 1 million for Schelin's contract and according to unconfirmed sources Schelin's yearly salary will be approximately SEK 1,5 millions a year. This ought to make her the highest earning female footballer outside the American national team.
SVT's expert commentator Thomas Wernersson (who also is the goalkeeper coach in Lotta's Göteborg) says that the big European clubs taking an interest in women's football is a good thing, particularly in the long run. On short term, it might not be good for the best Swedish players to move to weaker leagues. But, as Lotta says, Lyon's main goal seems to be UEFA Women's Cup and not the domestic league.
SVT: Schelin om flytten till Lyon (video)
Göteborgsposten: Lotta överens med Lyon
Expressen: Nu är Lotta Schelin helt klar för Lyon
Lotta says that it has always been her ambition to play professionally abroad and she is happy they have agreed. Lyon has a great team and there are good conditions for her to play and develop. In particular she looks forward to playing in Women's Cup, where Lyon is one of the favourites to win the championship. She doesn't comment on her salary other than that she is satisfied with her contract.
Göteborg FC receives more than SEK 1 million for Schelin's contract and according to unconfirmed sources Schelin's yearly salary will be approximately SEK 1,5 millions a year. This ought to make her the highest earning female footballer outside the American national team.
SVT's expert commentator Thomas Wernersson (who also is the goalkeeper coach in Lotta's Göteborg) says that the big European clubs taking an interest in women's football is a good thing, particularly in the long run. On short term, it might not be good for the best Swedish players to move to weaker leagues. But, as Lotta says, Lyon's main goal seems to be UEFA Women's Cup and not the domestic league.
SVT: Schelin om flytten till Lyon (video)
Göteborgsposten: Lotta överens med Lyon
Expressen: Nu är Lotta Schelin helt klar för Lyon
Lotta Schelin has signed with Lyon
Lotta Schelin has today, as a reader comments here, signed a two year contract with Olympique Lyon. Check out the short news (EN BREF) headlined "L'OL féminin recrute" on OL's website.
Eagerly awaiting more details and comments, hopefully tomorrow.
Eagerly awaiting more details and comments, hopefully tomorrow.
Umeå IK eyeing Sunnanå's Alexandra Nilsson
Sunnanå's 22 years old full-back Alexandra Nilsson, probably the team's best player this season, has attracted interest from Umeå IK. Sunnanå's sport director Sören Gustafsson confirms that several clubs have shown interest in the young defender, who had her first national team call-up this spring for the Euro qualifier against Ireland. He states that renewing her contract is one of the club's first priorities.
20 years old Sweden U23 player Josefine Johansson is another Sunnanå player that have suitors, in this case LDB FC Malmö.
Sunnanå on their side are looking towards players on relegation threatened Umeå Södra's roster; talented midfielder Hanna Folkesson, attacker Linda Fransson and American forward Jennifer Nobis.
Norra Västerbotten: UIK vill ha Alexandra Nilsson
20 years old Sweden U23 player Josefine Johansson is another Sunnanå player that have suitors, in this case LDB FC Malmö.
Sunnanå on their side are looking towards players on relegation threatened Umeå Södra's roster; talented midfielder Hanna Folkesson, attacker Linda Fransson and American forward Jennifer Nobis.
Norra Västerbotten: UIK vill ha Alexandra Nilsson
American interest in Djurgården's Angerer
The new American professional league is interested in signing Germany's and Djurgården's goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, says FFC Frankfurt's manager Siegfried Dietrich to the German sports news agency Sport-Informations-Dienst, referring to his contacts with Boston Breaker's head coach Tony DiCicco. Dietrich doubts however that Angerer will join the American league and lists his reasons: Angerer is under contract with Djurgården, the salary cap in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) gives her better earnings in Europe and finally Dietrich says he can't imagine any German national team players leaving Europe before the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
FF-News: US-Profiliga will Prinz und Angerer ködern
In other Damallsvenskan related WPS news, an unconfirmed rumour, though published by usually reliable Damfotboll.com, places Linköping's former Brazilian Cristiane in the American league, more precisely in St Louis, where her Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos will be leading the local team.
Damfotboll.com: Cristiane het för amerikanska proffsligan
FF-News: US-Profiliga will Prinz und Angerer ködern
In other Damallsvenskan related WPS news, an unconfirmed rumour, though published by usually reliable Damfotboll.com, places Linköping's former Brazilian Cristiane in the American league, more precisely in St Louis, where her Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos will be leading the local team.
Damfotboll.com: Cristiane het för amerikanska proffsligan
Lotta Schelin: I decide if I want to move, not the clubs
Lotta Schelin continues to refuse to confirm her move to French top club Olympique Lyon. In an interview with Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, she states: "It is I who decides if I want to move to Lyon". Lotta's club Kopparbergs/Göteborg and Lyon has agreed on the conditions for a transfer. But Lotta Schelin says that she has not signed any contract or even made a verbal agreement with Lyon.
The transfer window closes on Sunday, August 31. Lotta says she hopes the matter will be resolved by then. Apart from that, she is not interested in discussing the potential move any further.
Aftonbladet: ”Hoppas allt blir klart innan söndag”
The transfer window closes on Sunday, August 31. Lotta says she hopes the matter will be resolved by then. Apart from that, she is not interested in discussing the potential move any further.
Aftonbladet: ”Hoppas allt blir klart innan söndag”
FC Indiana targeting Ingvild Stensland
The American W-league club FC Indiana (runners-up last season) is looking to strenghthen their midfield and are interested in Kopparbergs/Göteborg's Ingvild Stensland. Stensland is a key player both with her club and the Norwegian national team and Göteborg, who recently lost their star forward Lotta Schelin to French side Lyon, has according to a local Chicago soccer news site asked for a USD 75,000/SEK 450,000 transfer fee. This is, according to unconfirmed sources, less than half of what Göteborg got for Schelin's contract. But it is still a rather big lump of money, and FC Indiana seems reluctant to persue their interest.
Chicagoland Soccer News: LOOKING FOR A MIDFIELDER
Damfotboll.com: Begär 450.000 för Ingvild Stensland
Just a curious question here: I was under the impression that Stensland's contract with Göteborg FC finishes after this season. At least that is what was announced in October last year, when Stensland decided to re-sign for the 2008 season. And FC Indiana shouldn't have any serious ball-playing ahead of them until May next year, when their league starts. So why are we talking about a transfer fee here?
Chicagoland Soccer News: LOOKING FOR A MIDFIELDER
Damfotboll.com: Begär 450.000 för Ingvild Stensland
Just a curious question here: I was under the impression that Stensland's contract with Göteborg FC finishes after this season. At least that is what was announced in October last year, when Stensland decided to re-sign for the 2008 season. And FC Indiana shouldn't have any serious ball-playing ahead of them until May next year, when their league starts. So why are we talking about a transfer fee here?
No more Cristiane for Linköping
Linköping FC's sport director Anders Mäki today announced that the club now has given up trying to extend the contract with Brazilian star forward Cristiane. Mäki said that the club has been working hard trying to find financing for the contract, but has not succeeded. "We are happy that we managed to retain Daniela" Mäki said and continued "as we have said previously, we have good alternatives at Cristiane's position".
Tabloid Aftonbladet states that the cost for keeping Cristiane until the league finishes in November would have amounted to at least SEK 800,000. Linköping has found businesses and other sponsors willing to contribute, but not enough even to finance the entire cost for Daniela's contract.
Linköping FC: Ingen Cristiane i höst
Aftonbladet: Priset för att behålla stjärnan – 800 000
Tabloid Aftonbladet states that the cost for keeping Cristiane until the league finishes in November would have amounted to at least SEK 800,000. Linköping has found businesses and other sponsors willing to contribute, but not enough even to finance the entire cost for Daniela's contract.
Linköping FC: Ingen Cristiane i höst
Aftonbladet: Priset för att behålla stjärnan – 800 000
Umeå IK: Jeglertz and Yamaguchi stays
Two of Umeå IK's top priorities to resign for the coming season have now succeeded. Head coach Andrée Jeglertz has signed a two year contract, that also gives him a position closer to that of a manager than simply a coach. He is happy with the new deal and the greater influence on the clubs decisions it will give him.
Mami Yamaguchi, a pretty likely candidate for the rookie of the year award, has also signed for another year. The crucial point was appearently that the club made it possible for her to be able to complete her college studies.
Other Umeå player that have signed renewed contracts are goalkeeper Carola Söberg (one year) and young midfielder Emma Åberg Zingmark (two years).
Västerbottenskuriren: Mami Yamaguchi stannar i UIK en säsong till
Västerbottens Folkblad: Söberg förlänger med UIK, Jeglertz blir manager
Mami Yamaguchi, a pretty likely candidate for the rookie of the year award, has also signed for another year. The crucial point was appearently that the club made it possible for her to be able to complete her college studies.
Other Umeå player that have signed renewed contracts are goalkeeper Carola Söberg (one year) and young midfielder Emma Åberg Zingmark (two years).
Västerbottenskuriren: Mami Yamaguchi stannar i UIK en säsong till
Västerbottens Folkblad: Söberg förlänger med UIK, Jeglertz blir manager
Lotta Schelin leaves Sweden for Lyon
Kopparbergs/Göteborgs FC chairman Peter Bronsman today confirms that Sweden's and Göteborg's star forward Lotta Schelin leaves for French top side Olympique Lyon. The two clubs have agreed on the transfer and Lotta will join Lyon no later than September 1. No transfer sum is disclosed, but according to local newspaper Göteborgsposten it is more than SEK 1 million, the largest transfer sum in the history of Swedish women's football.
Lotta Schelin only says that she hasn't signed any personal contract yet and would like to wait with her comments until she has. But according to her chairman it is a two year contract and according to other sources the contract could be worth more than SEK 1 million a year for her.
Göteborgsposten: Schelin klar för Lyon
Lotta Schelin only says that she hasn't signed any personal contract yet and would like to wait with her comments until she has. But according to her chairman it is a two year contract and according to other sources the contract could be worth more than SEK 1 million a year for her.
Göteborgsposten: Schelin klar för Lyon
Linköping losing Cristiane ?
Following Cristiane's hat-trick against Nigeria and Marta speaking up for her Brazil teammate, arguing that Linköping ought to extend her contract, Linköping's club chairman Christer Mård has been forced to reiterate his explanations why the club hasn't offered her an extension of her spring season contract:
"It is simply about money. We had to prioritize and we chose [Brazil midfielder] Daniela", he explains. Asked if he doesn't regret the choice they made, Mård answers "It's not about who is the best player. It's about who is the best for the team. It was more important to secure our midfield. In the attack we have more alternatives". Both Jessica Landström and Josefine Öqvist has scored more goals for the club than Cristiane.
Linköping's coach Daniel Pettersson agrees with his chairman "She and Jessica Landström has had problems finding each other. In her national team she is playing with Marta and that has worked out fantastic ... But as a coach I would of course like to have both [Daniela and Cristiane] on the team".
But that seems less and less probable. "We don't have the money today" says Mård. And the more Cristiane is seen in the tournament, the greater is the risk that somebody else presents her with an offer.
Expressen: Brasiliens stjärna ratas av Linköping
Fotbollskanalen: Cristiane kan vara förlorad för Linköping
"It is simply about money. We had to prioritize and we chose [Brazil midfielder] Daniela", he explains. Asked if he doesn't regret the choice they made, Mård answers "It's not about who is the best player. It's about who is the best for the team. It was more important to secure our midfield. In the attack we have more alternatives". Both Jessica Landström and Josefine Öqvist has scored more goals for the club than Cristiane.
Linköping's coach Daniel Pettersson agrees with his chairman "She and Jessica Landström has had problems finding each other. In her national team she is playing with Marta and that has worked out fantastic ... But as a coach I would of course like to have both [Daniela and Cristiane] on the team".
But that seems less and less probable. "We don't have the money today" says Mård. And the more Cristiane is seen in the tournament, the greater is the risk that somebody else presents her with an offer.
Expressen: Brasiliens stjärna ratas av Linköping
Fotbollskanalen: Cristiane kan vara förlorad för Linköping