Pernille Harder is a Danish professional footballer who has made her mark as both an attacking midfielder and a forward. She has gained recognition for her exceptional skills and has been widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. In addition to her talents on the field, Harder is also known for her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. She has made history in the world of women’s football and has received several prestigious awards throughout her career.
Harder began her professional career in her native Denmark, playing for Team Viborg and IK Skovbakken in the Elitedivisionen. In April 2010, Harder and her contemporary Sofie Junge Pedersen were recognized for their exceptional potential and became contracted players for Skovbakken. Seeking a new challenge, Harder made a move to Swedish club Linköpings FC. She had an immediate impact, scoring all four goals in a 4-1 win against relegation-bound Sunnanå SK in September 2013.
In the 2015 Damallsvenskan season, Harder’s talent shone brightly as she scored 17 goals in 22 appearances for Linköping. Her outstanding performances earned her several national awards, including Forward of the Year and League Player of the Year. At the awards gala, she shared the stage with male winner Zlatan Ibrahimovi and was described as hyper-talented and world-class by Swedish national coach Pia Sundhage. Furthermore, she was voted Danish Football Player of the Year in 2015, solidifying her status as a rising star in women’s football.
Harder continued her success in the 2016 Damallsvenskan season, winning the League Player of the Year award once again. She scored an impressive 23 goals, securing the Top Goalscorer award and helping Linköping clinch the Damallsvenskan title. As her reputation grew, Harder became a highly sought-after player for major clubs in women’s football.
In December 2016, Harder made a move to VfL Wolfsburg, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract that began in January 2017. Playing for Wolfsburg, she experienced great success, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in all four seasons with the team. Harder also showcased her skills on the international stage, reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in both 2018 and 2020, although Wolfsburg lost to Lyon on both occasions.
On September 1, 2020, Harder made headlines once again when she signed for Chelsea on a world-record fee for a female footballer, reportedly in excess of £250,000. She joined the English club on a three-year contract and made an immediate impact in the 2020-21 UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals by scoring against her former club, VfL Wolfsburg, in both legs.
Currently, Harder plays for Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga. Throughout her career, she has been a trailblazer for women’s football, breaking records and inspiring young athletes around the world. Her achievements have been duly recognized, and she has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the sport.
Awards:
– UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award: 2018, 2020