1. Overview
Katrine Vejsgaard Veje, born on June 19, 1991, is a Danish professional footballer known for her versatility across defensive and midfield positions, primarily as a centre-back, left back, or left wing-back. Standing at 5.7 ft (1.74 m), she has built a distinguished career spanning multiple top European leagues and the United States, making a significant impact on both club and international stages. Veje has represented the Danish national team in numerous major tournaments, including three UEFA Women's Euros, and has earned a silver medal at the UEFA Women's Euro 2017. Her club career includes notable stints with Swedish giants LdB FC Malmö and FC Rosengård, Danish powerhouse Brøndby IF, American club Seattle Reign FC, French side Montpellier HSC, and English clubs Arsenal, Everton, and Crystal Palace.
2. Early life and background
Katrine Vejsgaard Veje was born on June 19, 1991, in Fredericia, Denmark. Her full name is Katrine Vejsgaard Veje. Details about her specific upbringing are limited, but her early life in Denmark laid the foundation for her future in professional football.
3. Early career
Veje began her football journey with Vejle BK in Denmark. Her talent was recognized early in her career, leading to her transfer to Odense BK in 2007. In the same year, the Danish Football Association honored her with the prestigious Young Player of the Year award, marking her as a promising talent in Danish football.
4. Club career
Katrine Veje's club career has seen her play for a variety of teams across Denmark, Sweden, the United States, France, and England, accumulating numerous titles and accolades. Her career progression reflects her adaptability and consistent performance across different leagues.
4.1. Early Danish Clubs (Vejle BK, Odense BK)
Veje started her professional career at Vejle BK. In 2007, she transferred to Odense BK, where she played until 2011, making one appearance.
4.2. LdB FC Malmö (2011-2013)
From 2011 to 2013, Veje played for LdB FC Malmö in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. During this period, she made 47 appearances and scored 8 goals, contributing significantly to the team's success. With LdB FC Malmö, she won the Damallsvenskan title twice, in 2011 and 2013. She also secured two Swedish Super Cup victories in 2011 and 2012.
4.3. Brøndby IF (2014-2015)
Following her first stint in Sweden, Veje returned to Denmark, joining Brøndby IF from 2014 to 2015. During this period, she made 6 appearances for the club.
4.4. Seattle Reign FC (2015)
In January 2015, Katrine Veje moved to the United States, signing with Seattle Reign FC for the third season of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey expressed high expectations for Veje, stating she had "had her eye on Katrine for many years" and believed Veje was "capable of bringing something special to our club and to the NWSL." Veje made her debut for Seattle on July 12, 2015, in a match against Portland Thorns FC. She played 11 matches for Seattle Reign FC, helping the team secure the NWSL Shield in 2015.
4.5. Brøndby IF (2015-2017)
In October 2015, Veje decided to return to Denmark for a second spell with Brøndby IF. This period lasted until 2017, during which she made a substantial 133 appearances and scored 19 goals. She played a pivotal role in Brøndby IF's domestic dominance, winning the Danish league title twice (in 2015 and the 2017 season) and the Danish Women's Cup twice (in 2015 and 2017).
4.6. Montpellier HSC (2017-2018)
In June 2017, following her successful return to Denmark, Veje signed a two-year contract with Division 1 Féminine runners-up Montpellier HSC in France. She played for Montpellier HSC until 2018, making 22 appearances and scoring 3 goals during her time in French football.
4.7. Arsenal (2019-2020)
In January 2019, Veje transferred to English club Arsenal, competing in the FA WSL. She played 8 matches for Arsenal until 2020, contributing to the team's FA Women's Super League title victory in the 2018-19 season and the Women's League Cup in the same season.
4.8. FC Rosengård (2020-2022)
After a period in England, Veje returned to Sweden for her second spell, joining FC Rosengård from 2020 to 2022. In this stint, she played 42 matches, scoring 2 goals. She added another Damallsvenskan title to her collection in 2021 and was part of the squad that won the Swedish Cup in the 2021-22 season, though she did not feature in the final match.
4.9. Everton (2022-2024)
Following her time at FC Rosengård, Veje joined Everton in 2022, where she played until July 2024. She made 27 appearances for Everton.
4.10. Crystal Palace (2024-)
On August 1, 2024, it was announced that Veje had signed a contract with Crystal Palace, her current club, where she wears the number 2 jersey. As of February 2025, she has made 11 appearances for Crystal Palace.
5. International career
Katrine Veje has been a long-standing and influential member of the Denmark women's national football team, having represented her country at both youth and senior levels.
5.1. Youth international career
Veje represented Denmark at the youth level, earning 24 caps and scoring 8 goals for the U17 team from 2006 to 2008. She also played for the U19 team from 2007 to 2009, where she made 13 appearances and scored 3 goals.
5.2. Debut and major tournament participation
Veje made her debut for the Danish senior national team in July 2009 in a friendly match against England. She has since become a fixture in the national squad, participating in multiple major international tournaments. She was selected for the Danish squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2009, UEFA Women's Euro 2013 under coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller, and the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 under coach Nils Nielsen. At the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands, Denmark achieved a historic result, with Veje earning a silver medal as part of the team. As of February 2025, she has earned 142 caps for Denmark, scoring 9 international goals.
5.3. International goals
Veje has scored several goals for the Danish national team in various competitions. One notable goal was scored during the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying campaign.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 4 April 2012 | FK Viktoria Stadion, Prague, Czech Republic | ČeskoCzech RepublicCzech | 1-0 | 2-0 | UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying |
6. Playing career and position
Katrine Veje is recognized for her versatility on the field, capable of playing in various positions across the defense and midfield. Her primary roles have been as a defender, specifically a left back or left wing-back. She has also been deployed as a centre-back. Her adaptability allows her to contribute both defensively and in attack, making her a valuable asset to her teams.
7. Honors and awards
Katrine Veje has accumulated numerous team titles and individual accolades throughout her professional football career.
- LdB FC Malmö / FC Rosengård**
- Damallsvenskan: 2011, 2013, 2021
- Swedish Super Cup: 2011, 2012
- Swedish Cup: 2021-22 (did not play in final)
- Seattle Reign FC**
- NWSL Shield: 2015
- Brøndby IF**
- Danish League: 2015, 2017
- Danish Women's Cup: 2015, 2017
- Arsenal**
- FA Women's Super League: 2018-19
- Women's League Cup: 2018-19
- Denmark**
- UEFA Women's Euro: Silver medal 2017
- Individual**
- Danish Football Association's Young Player of the Year: 2007
8. Influence and evaluation
Katrine Veje's career has been marked by consistent performance and adaptability, making her a respected figure in Danish and international women's football. Her ability to play multiple positions effectively, particularly as a left-sided defender or wing-back, has made her a valuable asset to every team she has joined. Her signing with Seattle Reign FC in 2015 was met with high praise from head coach Laura Harvey, who noted Veje's potential to bring "something special" to the NWSL, highlighting her long-standing talent and impact. Her numerous club titles and contributions to the Danish national team, including their silver medal at Euro 2017, underscore her significant influence on the sport.