Kansas City Current sign Danish World Cup defender Stine Ballisager Pedersen from Vålerenga IF through 2024 season

The Kansas City Current have signed Danish National Team defender Stine Ballisager Pedersen (STEEN-uh BAHL-ih-SAHG-ehr PEHD-ehr-shun) to a contract through the 2024 season, with a mutual 2025 option, on transfer from Norwegian Toppserien club Vålerenga IF. Ballisager will join the Current following the Danes run through the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“Stine is a world-class defender and an incredible leader.” said Current general manager Camille Ashton. “We are so excited to bring her to Kansas City and to see what she can accomplish in the NWSL.”

Ballisager has a long history with the Danish national teams, dating back to 2009 when she began playing for the U16 team. She made her senior team debut against Sweden in a World Cup Qualifier match. Since then she has appeared for her home country 43 times, with 41 starts and was named the Danish Female Footballer of the Year in 2013 and 2022. The solid 5’ 7” defender has helped the Danes to the Finals of both the 2017 UEFA Women’s Championship and the 2023 Tournoi de France and is expected to anchor the back line for Denmark’s 2023 World Cup hopes.

Adding more world-class talent to our back line 🤩

Defender Stine Ballisager has signed a contract through the 2024 season on transfer from Vålerenga IF. Welcome to Kansas City ❤️#KCBABY pic.twitter.com/sMLACRyRsw

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) July 3, 2023

Picking up the game at six-years old, Ballisager played for her local club teams before signing her first professional contract with IK Skovbakken at the age of 18. She was transferred to Vålerenga in 2018 and has made 108 appearances for the club since arriving in Norway. She started every match for her club throughout her six seasons there. As Vålerenga’s captain she helped the club to become Toppserien runners-up in 2019 and 2022 and win the championship in 2020.

“I’m so excited to join Kansas City Current,” said Ballisager. “I have had such a good impression of the club, with the staff, players, the professionalism and the facilities. I think this is a very good fit for me and I can’t wait for this challenge. I am excited to play in such a strong league and I will do everything I can to do well in Kansas City and contribute to the team.”

Denmark’s 2023 World Cup campaign begins July 22 against China at 7 a.m. CT, then continues against England July 28 a 3:30 a.m. CT before wrapping up the group stage against Haiti August 1 at 6 a.m. CT.