Sanne Troelsgaard
Danish footballer (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen (born 15 August 1988) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Danish A-Liga club FC Midtjylland. From 2008–2025, Troelsgaard played for the Denmark national team, with which she earned 197 caps and scored 57 goals.
|
Troelsgaard with Denmark in July 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen | ||
| Date of birth | 15 August 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Vejen, Denmark | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Midtjylland | ||
| Number | 51 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Vejen | |||
| –2004 | Haderslev FK | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2009 | SønderjyskE | ||
| 2009–2011 | Brøndby IF | ||
| 2011–2012 | IK Skovbakken | ||
| 2012–2014 | Brøndby IF | ||
| 2014–2017 | KoldingQ | ||
| 2017–2021 | Rosengård | 146 | (54) |
| 2021–2024 | Reading | 51 | (9) |
| 2024–2025 | AS Roma | 42 | (2) |
| 2025– | FC Midtjylland | 11 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008–2025 | Denmark | 197[1] | (57[1]) |
Medal record | |||
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 6 October 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 6 October 2025 | |||
Troelsgaard played youth football in Vejen and Haderslev FK, before starting her professional career with SønderjyskE in 2005 at 17. After four years, Troelsgaard signed with Brøndby IF in 2009 where she played for two years, winning the league with them in 2011, before moving to IK Skovbakken that same year. Troelsgaard was awarded Danish Football Player of the Year in 2011.[2] In 2012, she returned to Brøndby for two years, where she won the league in 2013. During her time with Brøndby, Troelsgaard helped the club win the Danish Women's Cup four times. In 2014, Troelsgaard moved to Kolding Q, where she played for three years.[3] She was also made captain of the team during her tenure.[4] In 2017, she signed with Damallsvenskan club Rosengård, Troelsgaard's first foray into professional football, with whom she won the league twice. Troelsgaard continued her career abroad with Women's Super League club Reading in 2021, and left after the club's relegation in 2023 to join Serie A club AS Roma in 2024. Troelsgaard won the double with Roma in 2024, as they won both the league and the Coppa Italia. Troelsgaard decided to return to the Danish league in 2025 to help further establish Danish women's league football.[5]
A legend of the Danish national team with a career spanning almost 20 years, Troelsgaard was part of five Danish international squads for both the UEFA Women's Euros and the FIFA Women's World Cup. She was a member of the 2017 Euros silver medal-winning squad. In October 2025, after 18 years with the national team, Troelsgaard announced her retirement from international football.[6][7]
Club career
In 2011, Troelsgaard was named Denmark's Player of the Year after scoring 29 goals in her first 15 matches for IK Skovbakken.[2] In February 2017, Troelsgaard signed for FC Rosengård in the Swedish Damallsvenskan.[8]
On 21 December 2021, Reading announced the signing of Troelsgaard on a contract until June 2023.[9] She scored her first Women's Super League goal against West Ham on 23 October 2022, scoring a penalty in the 82nd minute.[10] On 11 January 2024, Reading announced the departure of Troelsgaard from the club by mutual consent.[11]
On 2 February 2024, AS Roma announced the signing of Troelsgaard on a contract until 30 June 2024.[12] On 28 May 2024, she signed a new one year contract extension with the club.[13]
On 1 July 2025, Troelsgaard was announced at FC Midtjylland on a two year contract.[14]
International career
Troelsgaard made her senior international debut for Denmark in March 2008, playing the last four minutes of a 1–0 win over Finland at the 2008 Algarve Cup.[15] At the 2011 Matchworld Women's Cup in June 2011, she scored all three goals in the Danes' 3–0 win over Wales.[16]
A serious illness in the family caused Troelsgaard to withdraw from national coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller's squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2013.[17]
On 19 June 2017, Troelsgaard was called up to the Danish squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017.[18]
On 16 June 2022, Troelsgaard was called up to the Danish squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022.[19]
On 30 June 2023, Troelsgaard was called up to the 23-player Danish squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[20]
On 20 June 2025, Troelsgaard was called up to the Danish squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.[21]
Troelsgaard announced her retirement from the national team on 6 October 2025. Denmark men's coach Brian Riemer called Troelsgaard a luminary of Danish football and remarked that all her efforts to spotlight Danish women's football commands respect, while men's national team player Gustav Isaksen called her a leader and commended her total commitment as a player, as well as her charismatic personality and presence on the field.[22] The Danish Football Association Head of Football declared Troelsgaard one of the biggest players in the history of Danish national team football.[6] Troelsgaard herself released a statement wherein she stated the national team had been “a home” for her.[23][24]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 30 April 2023[25]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rosengård | 2017 | Damallsvenskan | 21 | 8 | 5 | 4 | - | 6 | 0 | - | 32 | 12 | ||
| 2018 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 11 | - | 4 | 0 | - | 31 | 19 | ||||
| 2019 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 2 | - | 0 | 0 | - | 26 | 5 | ||||
| 2020 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | 2 | 3 | - | 25 | 6 | ||||
| 2021 | 21 | 9 | 5 | 2 | - | 6 | 1 | - | 32 | 12 | ||||
| Total | 107 | 30 | 21 | 20 | - | - | 18 | 4 | - | - | 146 | 54 | ||
| Reading | 2021–22 | FA Women's Super League | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 25 | 8 | ||||
| 2023–24 | Women's Championship | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Total | 41 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 52 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 148 | 34 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 4 | - | - | 198 | 62 | ||
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 24 October 2009 | Vejle Stadion, Vejle, Denmark |  Georgia | 14–0 | 15–0 | 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 15–0 | |||||
| 3. | 27 March 2010 |  Bulgaria | 5–0 | 9–0 | ||
| 4. | 18 June 2011 | Terrain des Planches, Apples, Switzerland |  Wales | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2011 Matchworld Women's Cup |
| 5. | 2–0 | |||||
| 6. | 3–0 | |||||
| 7. | 21 September 2011 | Mika Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia |  Armenia | 2–0 | 5–0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying |
| 8. | 23 November 2011 | Velje Stadion, Velje, Denmark | Armenia | 1–0 | 11–0 | |
| 9. | 2–0 | |||||
| 10. | 7–0 | |||||
| 11. | 8 December 2011 | Estádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo, Brazil |  Chile | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2011 International Tournament of São Paulo |
| 12. | 15 December 2011 |  Brazil | 1–0 | 1–0 | ||
| 13. | 7 March 2012 | Desportivo da Nora Park, Ferreiras, Portugal |  Iceland | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2012 Algarve Cup |
| 14. | 2–0 | |||||
| 15. | 9 December 2012 | Estádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo, Brazil |  Mexico | 4–0 | 5–0 | 2012 International Tournament of São Paulo |
| 16. | 24 November 2013 | Centenary Stadium, Ta'Qali, Malta |  Malta | 1–0 | 5–0 | 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 17. | 12 March 2014 | Estádio Municipal, Albufeira, Portugal |  China | 1–1 | 1–1 (4–5 p) | 2013 Algarve Cup |
| 18. | 19 June 2014 | Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan, Israel |  Israel | 3–0 | 5–0 | 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 19. | 12 January 2015 | Kempinski Hotel Belek, Belek, Turkey |  New Zealand | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
| 20. | 4 March 2015 | Stadium Bela Vista, Parchal, Portugal |  Japan | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2015 Algarve Cup |
| 21. | 6 March 2015 |  France | 1–4 | 1–4 | ||
| 22. | 9 March 2015 | Estádio Municipal, Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal |  Portugal | 1–0 | 2–2 | |
| 23. | 8 April 2015 | Tele2 Arena, Stockholm, Sweden |  Sweden | 2–2 | 3–3 | Friendly |
| 24. | 17 September 2015 | Stadionul CNAF, Buftea, Romania |  Romania | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
| 25. | 22 October 2015 | Viborg Stadion, Viborg, Denmark |  Moldova | 1–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying |
| 26. | 26 November 2015 | NTC Senec, Senec, Slovakia |  Slovakia | 1–0 | 1–0 | |
| 27. | 25 January 2016 | Arcardia Belek, Belek, Turkey |  Netherlands | 1–1 | 1–2 | Friendly |
| 28. | 9 March 2016 | Bela Vista Municipal Stadium, Parchal, Portugal | Portugal | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2016 Algarve Cup |
| 29. | 2–0 | |||||
| 30. | 2 June 2016 | Viborg Stadion, Viborg, Denmark | Slovakia | 4–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying |
| 31. | 7 June 2016 |  Poland | 1–0 | 6–0 | ||
| 32. | 3–0 | |||||
| 33. | 6–0 | |||||
| 34. | 20 October 2016 | Yongchuan Sports Center, Yongchuan, China |  Uzbekistan | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2016 Yongchuan International Tournament |
| 35. | 3 March 2017 | Bela Vista Municipal Stadium, Parchal, Portugal | Portugal | 3–0 | 6–0 | 2017 Algarve Cup |
| 36. | 6–0 | |||||
| 37. | 11 April 2017 | Harboe Arena Slagelse, Slagelse, Denmark |  Finland | 2–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
| 38. | 16 July 2017 | De Vijverberg, Doetinchem, Netherlands |  Belgium | 1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2017 |
| 39. | 19 September 2017 | Ménfői úti Stadion, Győr, Hungary |  Hungary | 2–1 | 6–1 | 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 40. | 3–1 | |||||
| 41. | 5–1 | |||||
| 42. | 7 March 2018 | VRS António Sports Complex, Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal | Iceland | 1–0 | 1–1 (4–5 p) | 2018 Algarve Cup |
| 43. | 9 April 2018 | Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark |  Ukraine | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 44. | 8 June 2018 | Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine | Ukraine | 4–0 | 5–1 | |
| 45. | 5–1 | |||||
| 46. | 29 August 2019 | Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark | Malta | 1–0 | 8–0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying |
| 47. | 4–0 | |||||
| 48. | 4 October 2019 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2–0 | 2–0 | ||
| 49. | 17 September 2020 | Bosnia and Herzegovina FA Training Centre, Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2–0 | 4–0 | |
| 50. | 22 September 2020 | Centenary Stadium, Ta'Qali, Malta | Malta | 4–0 | 8–0 | |
| 51. | 8–0 | |||||
| 52. | 16 September 2021 | Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark | Malta | 1–0 | 7–0 | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification |
| 53. | 26 October 2021 | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro |  Montenegro | 4–1 | 5–1 | |
| 54. | 30 November 2021 | Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark |  Russia | 2–0 | 3–1 | |
| 55. | 1 August 2023 | Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia |  Haiti | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| 56. | 26 September 2023 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | Wales | 4–1 | 5–1 | 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League |
Honours
- Brøndby IF
- Elitedivisionen: 2010–11, 2012–13
- Danish Women's Cup: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
- FC Rosengård
- Damallsvenskan: 2019, runner-up: 2020, 2017
- Svenska Cupen Women: 2017–2018, 2016–2017
- AS Roma