Rise Midfielder Sofia Hagman Signs In Norway

After a title-winning season with Vancouver Rise, Swedish midfielder Sofia Hagman has returned to Europe for the next chapter of her career.

The 28-year-old made fourteen appearances for the Northern Super League champions through the league’s inaugural season, having the honour of finishing off the semi-final penalty shootout with a conversion that landed the club a spot in the inaugural NSL Final – where Hagman and the team finished champions over AFC Toronto.

She has just been unveiled by Norwegian top flight side FK Bodo / Glimt Kvinner, who is doing its fair share of retooling after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. With three league championships under her belt, Hagman is a high-profile recruit for her new Norwegian side.

“I have high expectations for the season, and it will be cool to get started,” says Hagman. “The foundation of the team, those who have been here a long time and know the culture, is very important. Then we new players can come in with experience from other leagues and contribute to the next step in the team’s development.”

The midfielder didn’t touch on why she left the Vancouver Rise, but did state her decision on signing with Bodo / Glimt was related to being in an environment she can be put in ninety-minute shifts and be an important part of the team.

Prior to her season-long spell on Canadian soil, the midfielder plied her trade with Swedish side Vittsjo GIK. Before that, she spent two seasons with Spanish club Sporting Huelva, making 44 appearances and scoring twice. Hagman also spent some time in Cyprus for Apollon, where she won a domestic double and played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Vancouver Rise will enter the club’s title defense season with a lot of roster movement, particularly as high-profile players like club captain Samantha Chang, midfielder Lisa Perchersky, and veteran full-back Jasmyne Spencer all being named amongst the departing players.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques