Aston Villa Women have continued their busy summer by signing Norway international Justine Kielland from VfL Wolfsburg, subject to visa approval.
The 23-year-old midfielder arrives with experience from the Frauen-Bundesliga, UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Norwegian national team, becoming the latest addition to a squad that is steadily taking shape ahead of the new season.
While Aston Villa have already added attacking experience through Amalie Vangsgaard and invested in young talents such as Kamilla Melgård and Mia McAulay, Kielland offers something slightly different. Her arrival strengthens the heart of the team and provides a player capable of influencing matches both with and without the ball.
A Career Built On Steady Progress
Kielland’s journey to the Women’s Super League has been built through consistent development at every stage of her career. She began her senior career with Stabæk, making 80 league appearances before earning a move to Brann in 2023.
It was there that she enjoyed one of the most important periods of her development.
During Brann’s impressive UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, Kielland featured in all 12 matches as the Norwegian side reached the quarter-finals. She also contributed four goals along the way, demonstrating her ability to impact games on Europe’s biggest stage.
Those performances attracted the attention of Wolfsburg, who signed her in 2024. Over the last two seasons, she has continued her development in Germany while competing in both the Frauen-Bundesliga and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Now she arrives in England with valuable experience despite still being only 23 years old.
Why The WSL Appealed To Kielland
The opportunity to test herself in one of the most competitive leagues in the world was a major factor behind Justine Kielland’s decision. Speaking after completing the move, the midfielder highlighted the strength and continued growth of the Women’s Super League.
“The WSL is a really acknowledged league and I’m looking forward to the competitiveness,” she said.
“You can see every team is getting better and the league is taking steps every year, so I’m really excited to test myself here as well.”
Those comments reflect a trend seen across the women’s game, with an increasing number of international players viewing the WSL as the ideal environment to challenge themselves against elite opposition every week. For Kielland, Aston Villa provides that opportunity.
What Kielland Brings To Aston Villa
Villa are adding a midfielder known for her composure in possession and her ability to provide balance in the centre of the pitch.
Primarily operating as a defensive midfielder, Kielland combines tactical discipline with technical quality, allowing her team to build attacks while also providing protection in front of the defence. That profile could prove particularly important for Aston Villa.
The club’s recent transfer activity has focused heavily on strengthening attacking options and adding young talent with long-term potential. Kielland’s arrival brings a different dimension, adding experience in European competition and a player accustomed to operating in high-pressure environments.
Marisa Ewers, Aston Villa’s Director of Women’s Football, highlighted those qualities when discussing the transfer.
“Justine is a player with impressive experience for her age, having competed consistently at both international level and in the UEFA Women’s Champions League,” Ewers said. “She’s a composed midfielder who will work hard for the team and has all the attributes to continue developing here.”
Another Piece Of Villa’s Summer Puzzle
Looking at Aston Villa’s business so far, an interesting pattern is beginning to emerge. The arrivals of Melgård and McAulay demonstrated a willingness to invest in young talent, while the signing of Vangsgaard added proven international experience in attack. Kielland sits somewhere between those two approaches.
At 23, she remains young enough to continue developing, yet she already possesses significant experience at club and international level. That combination makes her a logical addition for a club attempting to build both for the present and the future.
Meanwhile, Villa have also welcomed Sarah Mayling, Lydia Sallaway and Soffia Kelly back from their loan spells, while Jenna Nighswonger has returned to Arsenal following the conclusion of her temporary stay at the club. Taken together, the moves suggest Villa are carefully reshaping their squad rather than relying on one headline signing.
Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Justine Kielland
- Age: 23
- Position: Defensive Midfielder
- From: VfL Wolfsburg
- To: Aston Villa
- Transfer Type: Permanent (subject to visa approval)
- International Team: Norway
Career Highlights
- 80 league appearances for Stabæk
- Helped Brann reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals
- Played all 12 Champions League matches during that campaign
- Scored four goals in Brann’s European run
- Represented Norway at senior international level
- Competed in the Frauen-Bundesliga and UEFA Women’s Champions League with Wolfsburg
What She Brings
- Composure in possession
- Defensive stability in midfield
- Champions League experience
- International pedigree
- Tactical intelligence
Why The Move Matters
Aston Villa have strengthened a key area of the pitch with a midfielder who combines youth with significant European experience. Kielland’s arrival adds balance to a squad that has already invested in both attacking quality and emerging talent this summer.
What Happens Next?
Justine Kielland will now prepare for her first season in England as she looks to establish herself in the Women’s Super League. The move presents a fresh challenge, but one she appears eager to embrace.
For Aston Villa, the hope will be that her experience, composure and tactical awareness can help provide the platform for the club’s attacking talent to flourish. As Villa continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new campaign, Kielland may prove to be one of the summer’s most important additions.
Source: Aston Villa
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