Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Maria Josefina Karlsson De Cecco[1] | ||
Date of birth | 8 February 1985 | ||
Place of birth | Gothenburg, Sweden | ||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Defender / Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
1999–2001 | Sätila SK | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2002–2008 | Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC | 112 | (13) |
2009–2010 | Linköpings FC | 38 | (4) |
2011 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 13 | (0) |
2011 | Jitex BK | 6 | (1) |
2012–2014 | Bardolino Verona | 74 | (15) |
2014–2015 | Brescia | 25 | (1) |
2015–2016 | AS Saint-Étienne | 21 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:35, 10 February 2018 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:35, 10 February 2018 (UTC) |
Maria Josefina Karlsson De Cecco (born 8 February 1985) is a Swedish former footballer. Her last club was AS Saint-Étienne of France's Division 1 Féminine, where she played as a defender. Karlsson De Cecco currently works as CEO and agent for the global football agency CMG, representing players and coaches within women's football.
Karlsson De Cecco played for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (2002–2008) and Linköpings FC (2009–2010). After signing for Linköpings, Karlsson De Cecco was known as Maria Karlsson II,[1] or Maria "Kalle" Karlsson due to the presence of senior teammate and namesake Maria "Kia" Karlsson.[3] Karlsson De Cecco made 154 appearances in the Damallsvenskan, the highest level of women's football in Sweden. She won a League, Super cup and Cup triple with Linköping in 2009. She also played in the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.[1]
In January 2011 Karlsson De Cecco became the first Swede to sign for a club in the new FA WSL.[4] After a successful trial, she signed a deal to play for Doncaster Rovers Belles while living at the Ramada Jarvis hotel in Doncaster.[5] At the end of the English season Karlsson returned to Sweden, signing for Jitex BK.[6] After six Damallsvenskan appearances and one goal,[7] in November 2011 Karlsson De Cecco revealed she had departed Jitex and was considering a contract offer from Italian club Bardolino Verona.[8] She signed a six-month deal to commence on 1 January 2012.[9]
After moving on to Brescia, Karlsson De Cecco transferred to French Division 1 Féminine team AS Saint-Étienne in August 2015.[10]
Karlsson De Cecco won a total of 57 caps with Sweden at youth level.[2] These comprised eight caps at Under–17 level, 24 at Under–19 level and 25 at Under–21/23 level.[11]