Neel Shelat looks at a market with real importance for elite-level recruitment and the promise of its youth development
Norway have always been a force to reckon with in women’s football. Although they have never quite managed to replicate the highs of the late 20th century in which they won three major titles, they have rarely dropped lower than 15th in the FIFA rankings. Their domestic league and clubs have not been at the absolutely elite level for the most part, but they are very regularly represented in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and have seen some memorable knockout runs. In fact, they are ranked eighth in the UEFA association coefficients, behind the top five, Portugal and the Netherlands.
The continued strength of Toppserien is impressive at a time when Europe’s strongest clubs’ financial might is increasing, and disparities are widening at various levels. Upon closer inspection, the key to their success becomes apparent – domestic talent development. Of the 227 players to have featured in the competition this year, 199 have been Norwegians. Further, the league’s average player age weighted by minutes played has hovered around the 23 mark in all nine seasons for which this data is easily accessible.
For contrast, Everton’s average age of 25.4 so far this season makes them the youngest side in the English Women’s Super League. Only one Norwegian top flight team is older than that this year, namely Vålerenga (25.8). Unsurprisingly, then, there are a host of high-potential talents in Toppserien that top teams around the world should be keeping an eye on.
Assessing the league’s level
Before looking at the standout players in Toppserien, it is worth getting a better understanding of the league’s level as a whole. The UEFA association coefficient only provides a limited understanding at best since it solely factors in continental matches, so a model like TransferLab’s Club Strength+ Global Rankings can be a far better barometer.
As is the case in pretty much every major women’s top flight league barring the NWSL, there is a significant gulf between the leading and relegation-battling sides in Toppserien. Title contenders Brann, Vålerenga and Rosenborg are joined by Lillestrøm in tiers 1 and 2, while the lowest-placed teams are down in tier 5.
This disparity is also quite evidently reflected in the league table, as the leaders have twice as many points as the fifth-placed team, while the bottom half are all averaging less than a point per game.
The likes of Brann and Vålerenga have reached the UWCL knockouts in recent seasons, so they have clearly shown the pedigree to be able to compete with Europe’s elite. Consequently, rivals on the continent will surely be keeping a close eye on their players, but they have to be careful to not be lured by someone whose league stats have been beefed up against lower-table sides.
Other factors such as tactical trends and common player profiles are also important to keep in mind. While the top teams naturally tend to be more front-footed in their approaches compared to their rivals, there is quite a good degree of tactical diversity in various regards including formations, pressing styles and in-possession structures. The technical and tactical level of the players across the division is generally high, but there aren’t too many physically imposing individuals. This is illustrated by the fact that the best all-round striker in the league this season gets an overall score of 96 in TransferLab, while the best target striker only comes in at 79. Aside from that, though, Toppserien offers an excellent environment for young talents to develop.
Standout under-23 talents
In such a youthful league as Toppserien, experience can make a big difference. It is perhaps no coincidence that three of the four youngest teams in the league are currently battling relegation while the top two are among the three oldest sides. But, youngsters are certainly given lots of chances to impress, and a few have taken the opportunity with both hands this year.
Signe Gaupset (CM/AM, 2005, Brann)
Arguably the best player in Toppserien was a teenager at the start of the campaign. Signe Gaupset only turned 20 in June, but her on-pitch displays would lead one to think that she has been dictating proceedings in midfield for years on end. Generally starting as a right-sided number eight in Brann’s 4-3-3 formation, she has the freedom to push forward against most lower-ranked opponents and can even interchange with the right winger. However, she has also shown equal proficiency in dropping deeper and helping progress the ball against stronger domestic or continental opposition, utilising the best of her silky control, quick ball-carrying, clever link-up play and comfort on either foot.
As a result, Gaupset’s numbers are simply off the charts. Her end product is impressive enough as she has registered 13 goals and 10 assists so far this term on the back of seven each last year, but the more advanced metrics further illustrate just how good she is.
The Norwegian midfielder caught the eye in this summer’s Euros and has also made a name for herself with her UWCL displays, so the very best teams in the world will surely be interested in upcoming windows. Her contract with Brann runs till 2027, so a Toppserien record transfer may well be on the cards.
Vilde Aasprang (CB, 2004, Lyn)
While Gaupset has been attracting all the attention as a standout figure for the league leaders, Vilde Aasprang is someone who has perhaps gone underrated. Like Gaupset, Aasprang also spent some of her younger days at Molde, but she only moved to Toppserien in 2025. The 21-year-old defender got handed quite a tough gig as she became a regular for relegation-battlers Lyn, who are only three points clear of the drop zone at the time of writing. They do have the best defensive record in the lower half of the table, though, and Aasprang is one of the main reasons behind that.
The young centre back has not looked out of place at all in her debut top-flight season. She has stood out thanks to her combination of defensive discipline and commanding strength. Her contributions in and around her own box have been particularly useful, as she has used her frame to keep some of the league’s most formidable attackers quiet. Her ball-playing has unsurprisingly not been as eye-catching for such a lower-table team, though her long passing numbers do show some signs of promise.
Aasprang’s career progression should be quite interesting to follow. The top Norwegian teams will surely have taken note of her qualities, so they could well seek her services at the end of the season. A move to such a side should suit all parties involved as it will provide the young defender with the opportunity to showcase and develop her on-ball game, and potentially even earn a move to a stronger league down the line.
Synne Brønstad (LB/LW/CM, 2003, Rosenborg)
Synne Brønstad will not turn 23 until next year, but she has been around for a long time. She starter her career in the lower league with Steinkjer in 2018 before moving to Rosenborg in the top flight around her 18th birthday. The majority of her Toppserien appearances have come off the bench, but her versatility and well-roundedness make her an interesting player to follow.
Brønstad predominantly likes to operate on the left wing, be it as a full back or further up the pitch. She does not overly stand out in any regard but is quite solid at everything from defending dribblers to carrying the ball forward and crossing. Although she is most effective out wide, she has the capability to play in central midfield or further forward if needed.
Karna Sæther Sødahl (LW/RW, 2008, Rosenborg)
No, that is not a typo – Karna Sæther Sødahl was indeed born in the year that Lewis Hamilton won his first Formula One Drivers’ Championship. Hardly anyone might have predicted that the two would go on to compete at the highest levels of their respective sports at the same time in 2025, but that is exactly what has transpired.
Sødahl was born in December, meaning she was only 15 years old when she made her league debut last season. She soon became the youngest goal-scorer in Rosenborg’s history and went on to start a few games, growing into a regular at the start of 2025. She has five goals and as many assists to her name, and stands out with her technical ability and measured ball-striking on the left wing. As a left-footer, she likes to beat her opponents down the wing and put balls into the box, already showing good composure and decision-making in the process.
Sødahl’s talent is absolutely undeniable, but she will have to be carefully managed given her tender age. She has been out with a minor knee injury for the last month, so her involvement may have to be limited for a while. As long as that aspect is well managed, she could well become a household name in the years to come.
Established stars
The fact that the majority of the established stars we have picked out from Toppserien were born after the turn of the century is another reflection of the youthful nature of the league. They would still be considered younger talents in most other places, so they too should be of interest for many other teams.
Lauren Davidson (RW, 2001, Brann)
Scottish international Lauren Davidson is the only non-Norwegian player to feature in this piece. The Brann winger has 12 goals and as many assists to her name, which makes her the top creator in the league and places her on the podium in terms of goal contributions. Her partnership with Gaupset on the right side of Brann’s attack has torn apart many a defence, propelling them to within touching distance of the title at the time of writing.
Davidson tends to start quite wide but has the freedom to drift inside as well. Her ability to go both ways and multifaceted threat through dribbling, creative passing and shooting in the box make her a nightmare for any full back. The 24-year-old forward is very slick in terms of stringing moves together and links up with her teammates very well, so there is a lot to like about her game.
Olaug Tvedten (AM/FW, 2000, Vålerenga)
Topping the player charts in Toppserien this year is Olaug Tvedten, whose 17 goals make her the joint top-scorer, and whose 10 assists push her to outright first in the goal contributions rankings. The Norwegian attacker has spent all her career in her domestic top flight, breaking through as a teenager for Avaldsnes before moving on to Vålerenga. She has particularly impressed over the last three years, netting 13 times in each of the last two campaigns and starting all but one of her team’s matches in them.
Under the title holders’ current tactical setup, Tvedten generally operates to the left of the striker in a 3-4-2-1. She can drop back to help progress the ball and is quite clever with her movement between the lines besides possessing excellent control to receive the ball and play it on. Her eye for a killer pass and movement around the box has particularly sharpened in recent years, contributing to her incredible output.
Karina Sævik (ST, 1996, Vålerenga)
Tvedten’s teammate Karina Sævik is currently level with her on top of the scoring charts, and they have both contributed to each other’s success. The 29-year-old striker has as many as eight assists to her name as she uses her physicality quite well to hold up play with her back to goal, but also has a deft touch to link up with her teammates in tight spaces. In fact, her passing and carrying numbers look more impressive than her underlying shooting metrics.
Sævik will join a rather exclusive club of over-30-year-olds in Toppserien if she stays put in Oslo next season. The Norwegian international has previously played for top European sides such as Paris Saint-Germain and Wolfsburg, although she never managed to fully get going for them. While TransferLab’s player potential prediction suggests that her level will follow a downward trajectory soon, she should still remain a top-quality striker for a few years in the right environment.
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