Karen Holmgaard

Karen Rosted Holmgaard (; born 28 January 1999) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Women's Super League club Everton and the Denmark national team.

Early life Holmgaard was born on 28 January 1999 in Bording, Denmark. She has a twin sister, Sara Holmgaard, who is also a professional football player.

Club career Fortuna Hjørring

Having previously played for Vejle BK from 2016 to 2017, Holmgaard signed for Fortuna Hjørring alongside twin sister Sara on 28 June 2017. She scored her first league goal on 1 October 2017.

On 22 May 2018, both Holmgaard sister's contracts were extended.

Turbine Potsdam

On 4 December 2020, Karen and Sara Holmgaard joined Frauen-Bundesliga clubTurbine Potsdam.

Karen Holmgaard made her league debut against Wolfsburg on 5 February 2021. She scored her first league goal against Eintracht Frankfurt on 16 May 2021. In December 2021, she was sent off having picked up two yellow cards against Frankfurt.

Everton

In August 2022, both sisters joined Women's Super League side Everton, reuniting with former Hjørring cosch Brian Sørensen. Sara was loaned back to Turbine Potsdam for the beginning of the 2022–23 season; it was the first time the twins had played for different clubs.

Karen Holmgaard made her league debut against Leicester City on 29 September 2022. She scored her first league goal against West Ham on 22 January 2023.

On 1 August 2024, Holmgaard signed a new contract with Everton.

She sustained an ACL injury in Everton's 5–0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup on 15 January 2026, ruling her out for the remainder of the season. On 23 July 2026, she signed a one-year extension with the club.

International career

Having played for the Denmark under-19 team, Holmgaard received her first senior call-up in February 2018. She made her debut for the senior national team on 7 March 2018 against Finland. She was named Female Talent of the Year in 2018 by the Danish Football Union.

She scored her first senior goal against Azerbaijan on 12 April 2022. Holmgaard was selected for Denmark's squad at the Euro 2022.

She was selected for the World Cup 2023 squad. Denmark was eliminated by co-hosts Australia in the round of 16.

Despite recovery from a hip injury for most of the 2024–25 season, Holmgaard was selected for the Euro 2025; Denmark did not make it out of the group stage.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 12 April 2022 Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark 2–0 2–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification 2. 1 September 2022 1–0 5–1 3. 11 October 2022 1–0 1–3 Friendly