Ellen Linnea Christina Gibson (born 28 April 1996) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Canadian club Ottawa Rapid.
Early life
Gibson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. She developed an interest in football at an early age and joined the youth academy of Hammarby IF, where she trained as a midfielder.
Club career
Hammarby IF
Gibson began her senior career with Hammarby IF in 2011, playing in the Elitettan, the second tier of Swedish women's football. She played for Hammarby until 2014 before moving to the United States to play for the Santa Clara Broncos in 2015. After finishing her college career, Gibson returned to Hammarby IF in 2017, where she became a pivotal figure in the midfield.[1]
During her time at Hammarby, Gibson established herself as a club icon, known for her consistent performances and leadership on the field. She played a key role in the team's success, including winning the Damallsvenskan in 2023 and the Svenska Cupen in 2022.[2][3]
Her commitment to the club and her performances made her one of the most beloved players in Hammarby history, with fans seeing her as an embodiment of the team's spirit and identity. In a 2023 interview, Gibson reflected on her long association with the club, stating that "Bajen är en del av min identitet" ("Hammarby is part of my identity").[4]
At the end of the 2024 season, Hammarby IF chose not to renew Gibson's contract.[1]
Ottawa Rapid
On 27 January 2025, Gibson signed with Canadian side Ottawa Rapid in the newly-launched Northern Super League.[5]
International career
Gibson has represented Sweden at various youth levels, including the U17 and U19 teams, and has been part of the national setup for several years. While she has not yet made a senior appearance for the Swedish women's national team, her performances at the club level have earned her recognition as one of Sweden's promising midfielders.[6]
Playing style
Gibson is known for her tactical awareness and ability to read the game. As a midfielder, she is skilled in distributing passes and controlling the tempo of the match. Gibson is also praised for her ability to recover possession and break up opposition attacks.[7] Her versatility has allowed her to play in various roles across the midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. She is recognized for her strong work ethic and leadership qualities.[8]
Career statistics
- As of 3 January 2025
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hammarby IF | 2011 | Damallsvenskan | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012 | Division 1 Norrettan | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2013 | Elitettan | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| 2014 | Elitettan | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2017 | Damallsvenskan | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2018 | Damallsvenskan | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2019 | Elitettan | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | |
| 2020 | Elitettan | 23 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2021 | Damallsvenskan | 21 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| 2022 | Damallsvenskan | 19 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2023 | Damallsvenskan | 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2024 | Damallsvenskan | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| Total | 197 | 5 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 230 | 6 | ||
Honours
Hammarby IF
Individual
- Hammarby IF Player of the Year: 2023
References
- ^ a b "Ellen Gibson lämnar Hammarby efter 24 år i klubben". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Hammarby wins Svenska Cupen". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Hammarby clinches Damallsvenskan title". SVT Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Bajen är en del av min identitet". Expressen. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Sweden's Ellen Gibson joins the Rapid! 🩵 Ellen is known as a loyal and hardworking player who always puts the team first. She hopes to contribute to the team's success with her physical style of play, work ethic, strong passing and tactical understanding". Ottawa Rapid FC. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- ^ "Ellen Gibson stats". Svenska Fotbollförbundet. Retrieved 3 January 2025. [failed verification]
- ^ "Ellen Gibson: Hammarby IF player profile". Hammarby IF. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Hammarby Fotboll: Squad Overview 2023". Hammarby IF. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Hammarby clinches Damallsvenskan title". SVT Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Hammarby wins Svenska Cupen". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
External links
- Ellen Gibson at Soccerway.com
- Ellen Gibson at FBref.com
- Ellen Gibson at the Swedish Football Association (in Swedish)
- Ellen Gibson – UEFA profile
