Smilla Holmberg

Smilla Hilma Holmberg (born 11 October 2006) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Women's Super League club Arsenal and the Swedish national team.

Early life Smilla Holmberg was born on 11 October 2006 and grew up on Södermalm in Stockholm. She began playing football at the age of seven with Hammarby IF, having previously tried several other sports. Holmberg progressed through Hammarby's youth academy and made her senior debut for the club at the age of 15.

Club career Holmberg made one senior appearance for Älvsjö AIK in 2022 before joining Hammarby IF’s first team later the same year. In late 2022, she trained with Olympique Lyonnais during a visit to France while still under contract with Hammarby.

Holmberg debuted in a Svenska Cupen match in late 2022 and became a regular part of the squad during the 2023 season, contributing to the club’s Damallsvenskan and Svenska Cupen titles.

In May 2024, she extended her contract with Hammarby until the end of 2026. During the 2025 season, Holmberg emerged as one of the team's top scorers, registering four goals and one assist in the opening four league matches.

On 5 January 2026, it was announced Holmberg had signed for English side Arsenal. On 10 January, Holmberg made her Arsenal debut, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, in a 0–0 draw against Manchester United. Later that year, on 29 April, she scored her first goals by netting a brace in a 7–0 win over Leicester City.

International career On 11 June 2025, Holmberg received her first call-up for the Sweden senior national team, when she was included in Peter Gerhardsson's 23-player squad for the UEFA Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Aged 18, she was the youngest player in the squad. A month later, on 12 July, she scored her first goal in a 4–1 win over Germany during the Euro 2025.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition