Theresa Eslund (née Nielsen; born 20 July 1986) is a Danish footballer who plays as a defender for Brøndby IF in the Danish Elitedivisionen and the Danish national team.
She previously played for Vålerenga Fotball Damer in Norway's top league, the Toppserien, as well as Brøndby IF in the Danish Elitedivisionen. She was named Danish Women's Footballer of the Year in 2012.
Early life
Raised in Valby, Nielsen began playing football at age six on a team known as Rikken.
Club career
Brøndby IF, 2009–2016
In 2012, Nielsen was named Danish Women's Footballer of the Year after helping Brøndby IF to a league and cup double.
Vålerenga, 2017
In January 2017, Nielsen signed with Norwegian club, Vålerenga in Oslo, marking her first time playing for a foreign club. Nielsen made 22 appearances for Vålerenga and scored two goals during the 2017 season. She scored her first goal for Vålerenga in the 47th minute of a match against Kolbotn resulting in a 2–0 win. The club finished in seventh place with a 10–8–4 record. Nielsen was named one of the top 200 players in the world for 2017 by The Offside Rule, a podcast by The Guardian.
Reign FC, 2018
Nielsen signed with American side Reign FC ahead of the 2018 National Women's Soccer League season in January 2018. She made her debut for Seattle as a starting defender during the home opener — a 2–1 win over the Washington Spirit on 24 March.
International career
Nielsen during the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 semi-final against Austria.
Nielsen during the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 semi-final against Austria.
At age 17, Nielsen competed with the Denmarks' under-17 national team at the 2003 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival. She scored in the final as Denmark beat Switzerland on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris.
Nielsen made her senior international debut for Denmark in March 2008, during the team's 1–0 win over Germany at the 2008 Algarve Cup.
She was named to Kenneth Heiner-Møller's squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2013.