Born: 1995 (Oslo, Norway)
Caroline Graham Hansen (born 18 February 1995) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona and the Norway women’s national team. Hansen started her professional career playing in the Norwegian Toppserien with Stabæk. She then joined Tyresö FF in Sweden for the second part of the 2013 Damallsvenskan season.
Hansen’s talent and skill were evident from a young age. She represented Norway at various youth international levels before making her debut for the senior team in 2011. In 2013, at the age of 18, Hansen played a major role in the Norwegian team that won silver at UEFA Women’s Euro 2013.
In 2014, Hansen made the move to the Frauen Bundesliga to play for VFL Wolfsburg. Despite facing multiple serious, long-term injuries between 2015 and 2018, she achieved remarkable success with the club. She reached two UEFA Women’s Champions League Finals in 2016 and 2018, winning 8 major trophies, including 3 league titles and 5 DFB-Pokal titles.
During her time with Wolfsburg, Hansen faced challenges with the Norwegian national team. She missed the 2015 World Cup due to injury, and in 2017, she was part of the Norway squad that had their worst-ever finish in a Euro tournament, failing to score a goal or earn any points.
2019 proved to be a breakout year for Hansen when she signed for FC Barcelona, a finalist in the 2019 UEFA Women’s Champions League. She became one of the standout performers for Norway in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, catching the attention of the football world. Hansen’s impressive performances earned her nominations for prestigious year-end awards, including The Best and the FIFA FIFPro World XI.
Hansen’s success continued with FC Barcelona as she played a crucial role in helping the club win their first league title since 2015 during the 2019-20 season. In 2021, she achieved her ultimate goal by winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona, completing the continental treble. Her contributions to both club and country have solidified her status as one of the best wingers in the world.
Beyond her accomplishments on the pitch, Hansen has had to overcome challenges and setbacks throughout her career. Her determination and resilience in the face of injuries and setbacks have been an inspiration to many aspiring female footballers.
Caroline Graham Hansen’s journey in football began in Oslo, Norway, where she was born and raised in the neighborhood of Tåsen. She is the eldest child of Petter Norman Hansen and Bettina Graham Hansen. Her younger brother, Fredrik, also plays football for St. Bonaventure University in the United States.
From a young age, Hansen played for Lyn Football Club as part of mixed-gender teams. However, she faced discrimination and was deemed a bad influence on the boys’ team. This controversy led to her moving up to Lyn’s G94 team, comprised of boys a year older than her. This experience fueled her determination to prove herself and excel in the sport.
Caroline Graham Hansen’s journey in football is a testament to her skill, perseverance, and dedication. She has left an indelible mark on the sport, both in her native Norway and on the international stage. Her achievements and the barriers she has broken down have paved the way for future generations of female footballers.
Awards:
– UEFA Women’s Champions League winner (2021)
– Spanish Liga F winner (2019-20)
– Norwegian Toppserien champion (2012, 2013)
– DFB-Pokal winner (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
– Frauen Bundesliga champion (2014, 2017, 2018)