If Caroline Seger’s soccer resume wasn’t impressive enough already, the international superstar further lengthened her list of accolades with an outstanding showing in Sweden’s top-flight this season. Caroline led her team Linköpings FC to become Triple Champions, winning the Sweden Cup Flight, the Swedish Cup, and the Super Cup, in addition to earning several impressive individual honors due to her standout performance this season.

Caroline led her team to capture its third Swedish Women’s Cup title in four years by defeating Umea IK in the finals, where Caroline contributed the first goal in the 2-0 victory. Less than a month later, Linkoping faced Umea again for the Damallsvenskan title and proved that the Swedish Cup victory was no fluke, handily beating Umea 4-0. In addition to their home turf honors, Linköpings FC also became Super Cup Champions to complete the trifecta.

Caroline was a key figure for Linköpings this season and has played a major role in the team’s success. Her dominance in has been undeniable both offensively and defensively, and her impact did not go unrecognized. Caroline earned the prestigious honor of 2009 Damallsvenka Player of the Year, making her the best player in one of the premier women’s soccer leagues in the world. In addition to overall Player of the Year, Caroline was named 2009 Midfielder of the Year and also received the Diamond Ball presented for Player of the Year in all categories.

GM Terry Foley is not surprised that Caroline received the outstanding recognition for her efforts. “Caroline’s standout play with her current club further confirms choosing her as our first international draft pick was a great decision. She has been a star in the Damallsvenskan and we are confident she will shine in the WPS, as well. Caroline deserves all of the honors she received and we are proud to have her representing the Independence overseas.”

Philadelphia’s New Women’s Pro Soccer Team Agrees To Terms For 3-Year Deal With Swedish National Team Captain Caroline Seger

PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 9, 2009) The Philadelphia Independence is pleased to announce that it has agreed to contract terms with Caroline Seger, Sweden’s National Team Captain and Midfield Superstar. Final steps in the contract approval process will be completed in the next few weeks in plenty of time for Seger’s first visit to the team’s United Sports Training Center facility later this year. “This is a huge accomplishment for our franchise,” says Independence President/CEO David Halstead. “There aren’t many athletes in the world that perform at Caroline Seger’s level. We’re proud she will be in Philly and happy that our fans will enjoy her presence on the field and in the community.”

Seger is recognized as one of the top female soccer players in the world. Since making her international debut with the Swedish National Team in 2005, Seger has continued to perform exceptionally well for Sweden, now boasting an impressive 47 caps and 4 goals. Her talent and quality play helped Sweden qualify for the 2007 FIFA World Cup, where she performed remarkably.

Seger represented her country again in the 2008 Olympic Games, leading her team to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Germany. She has also been a crucial player and captain for her Swedish club, Linköpings FC, since 2005. Linköpings has consistently been in the top four in their Swedish league, the Damallsvenskan, which was widely considered to be the best women’s league in the world until the advent of the WPS. Seger was honored as the Damallsvenskan Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Midfielder of the Year in 2006. A native of Helsingborg, Sweden, Seger is admired by teammates and coaches for her work ethic, positive attitude, and unmatched passion for the game. Philadelphia fans will appreciate Seger’s combination of skill and high-intensity play.

Reached for comment in Sweden, Seger said, “I am very happy to have agreed to [contract] terms with the Philadelphia Independence. It is extremely exciting to have been selected No. 1 in the International Draft, and know that next year I will be playing in one of, if not the best, leagues in the world against players such as Marta, Christine Sinclair, Kelly Smith, and Abby Wambach. Also, I have heard great things about Philadelphia as a city, the connection to Sweden is a bonus, and the way the organization handles things is impressive. I look forward to putting on the Independence jersey along with my teammates and go out and represent the Independence, the community, and the fans.”

General Manager Terry Foley and Head Coach Paul Riley were both impressed with Seger’s performance in the European Championships and agree that she will be a key figure in building a winning tradition for the Independence. Says GM Foley, “Caroline Seger is an exceptional young player who I believe will be a star in WPS next year. She is a very talented athlete who has fantastic leadership qualities. We are certain that Caroline will give our fans something to cheer about and will serve as a great role model for all young female players in the Philly area.”

This agreement to contract terms, as well as all the other draft, trade, and free agency player activities currently underway provide exciting times for the Philadelphia Independence organization. Look for much more good news regarding player signings and stay connected as the team’s ticketing programs, youth development events, and community outreach activities pick up steam toward our 2010 season kick-off. Visit www.wpsphillyindependence.com.

Caroline Seger, Swedish National Team Midfielder and Captain Is Top Pick

The Philadelphia Independence is proud to announce its selection of five international players, Swedes Caroline Seger and Charlotte Rohlin, Brits Lianne Sanderson and Fara Williams, and Icelander Holmfridur Magnusdottir. “We knew what we wanted to achieve going into the draft and had each of these players high on our list of choices,” said Head Coach Paul Riley, “and I am delighted to say that today’s international selections, combined with the outstanding players we selected in last week’s WPS Expansion Draft, provide the Independence with excellent skill and experience in nearly every single position on the field. I can’t wait until the spring to show the Independence fans what I have seen in Europe from these players – their qualities and talents on the field are simply unreal!” Now that the Independence organization has acquired the rights to these outstanding international players, it will work with the players and agents to get the player contracts signed and approved by the league.

In keeping with the strong roots of Swedish settlers in the Philadelphia area since the 17th Century, Swedes will once again use their skill and determination to strengthen the city’s capabilities and bolster the Independence squad.

Caroline Seger is the Swedish National Team Captain and is recognized as one of the top midfielders in the world. Her performance in the recent European Championships was incredible. Since making her international debut with the Swedish National Team in 2005, Caroline has continued to perform exceptionally well for Sweden, now boasting an impressive 47 caps and 4 goals. Her efforts helped Sweden to qualify for the 2007 FIFA World Cup, where she performed remarkably. Caroline represented her country again in the 2008 Olympic Games, leading her team to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Germany.

Caroline has also been a crucial player and captain for her club, Linköpings FC, since 2005. Linköpings has consistently been in the top four in their Swedish league, the Damallsvenskan, which was widely considered to be the best women’s league in the world until the advent of the WPS. Caroline was honored as the Damallsvenskan Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Midfielder of the Year in 2006. Her excellent work-ethic and unmatched passion for the game make her an asset to any team that she is a part of. A native of Helsingborg, Sweden, Caroline is known for her great attitude and admired by teammates for her ability to generate a positive atmosphere in any situation. Philadelphia fans will appreciate Caroline’s combination of skill, high intensity play, and genuine enjoyment of the game that is apparent every time she steps on the pitch.

Terry Foley was impressed with Caroline’s performance in the European Championships and thinks she will be a key figure for the Independence. “Caroline Seger is an exceptional young player who I believe will be a star in WPS next year. She is a very talented player who has fantastic leadership qualities. We are certain that Caroline will give our fans something to cheer about and will serve as a great role model for all young female players in the Philly area.”

Charlotte Rohlin is also a member of the Swedish National Team and is widely respected for her tremendous play at central defender. Born and raised in Linköpings, Sweden, Charolotte has returned to her hometown after beginning her career with BK Kenty, now captaining Linkopings FC with teammate, Caroline Seger. Charlotte has been an important leader for Linköpings FC, directing play from the back and making it difficult for opponents to get past her team’s defense. Since Charlotte’s international debut in 2007 against Finland, she has established herself as one of the best central defenders in the world. Her contribution to the Swedish National Team has been outstanding, anchoring Sweden’s back line in the 2007 FIFA World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics. Charlotte is one of the toughest defenders in the game, and she poses a dangerous offensive threat coming forward on set pieces.

“Charlotte Rohlin is a solid central defender who we have been watching for some time and who really impressed us in Finland” says Head Coach Paul Riley. “Charlotte is a true professional who will give us great leadership at the back, and we hope to have her in Philly to make a huge impact next season.”

In addition to these terrific players, Coach Paul Riley identified Lianne Sanderson and Fara Williams as two English players that could have an immediate and positive impact on the Independence. Paul stated on draft day about these two selections, “I am very pleased to have picked up both Lianne and Fara for next season. They will help spark our offensive efforts, and their successful careers with England prove that they can compete at the highest level.” Like the Swedish players, Lianne and Fara know each other well, having played together with their country for the past two years. Their chemistry and connectivity makes them a dangerous combination and a great asset to the Independence offense.

Lianne Sanderson at age twenty-one has already established herself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the game and has a promising future ahead of her. Lianne played for the English U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-21 National Teams, and made her first Full Team appearance in May of 2006. Her first international goal came in 2007 in just her fifth cap, and she continues to be an offensive force for her country. Lianne played for England in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was another standout player in the European Championships last month.

Born in Watford, England, Lianne was a part of the Arsenal club for the majority of her career, starting with the youth club at age nine and joining the first team at just fifteen years old. Lianne earned countless honors with Arsenal, finishing the 2006/2007 season as Arsenal’s top scorer by notching 40 goals in 41 appearances. After 11 years at the Arsenal Club, Lianne signed with the Chelsea Ladies in 2008 and has made a great impact for the club. Despite her relative youth, Lianne is a smart player with a great head for the game. Her passion and spirit are contagious, and Philadelphia fans will enjoy watching her next season.

Terry Foley hopes that Lianne will bring her offensive prowess to the Independence. “Lianne has scored goals at every level she has played at, and we hope that she will continue to score goals next year in Philadelphia. Lianne is accustomed to winning having played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, and that tradition of victory should be carried with the Independence.”

Fara Williams is another English National Team player who will be a fantastic addition to the Independence midfield. A dangerous attacker, Fara controls the flow of the game from the center of the field and creates brilliant scoring opportunities for her team. As a member of the English National Team, Fara scored five goals to help England qualify for the 2007 World Cup, and contributed another in the tournament itself. Her outstanding play earned Fara the honor of 2007 International Player of the Year. In the recent European Championships, Fara’s leadership was a key component to England’s impressive run to the finals.

Nicknamed “Queen Fara” by her Everton fans, she has twice been named Player of the Year with the Everton Ladies Football Club. In 2008, Fara helped lead her club to win the Premiership title for the first time in 10 years, and again to capture runner-up in 2009. Her tenacity and heart are undeniable, and she is fearless in her both her tackles and attacks. The London native is a fun player to watch, and Independence fans will be lucky to have Fara in Philadelphia next season.

Head Coach Paul Riley believes Fara will be a great addition to the Independence lineup. “Fara is a superb player with tremendous vision, a vintage final ball and a work-rate second to none. She covers alot of ground, is always available to her teammates and enjoys the pressure of having the ball at her feet. Fara has a top class attitude with technical and tactical knowledge.”

Holmfridur Magnusdottir is an Icelandic National Team Player who has achieved outstanding success with her own country. Holmfridur, a midfielder with an attacker’s mindset, has performed at the highest level for her country since her international debut against the United States in 2003. Her contributions on the field, both defensively and offensively, earned her the honor of Iceland’s Player of the Year in 2007. In the 2009 European Championships, Holmfridur made her presence known by scoring in the first minute of play in the playoff first leg in the Republic of Ireland. Holmfridur has been a premier player in Icelandic women’s soccer, registering over 100 Icelandic top-flight goals with Reykjavík and ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar. In 2006, she moved to Denmark’s Fortuna Hjorring, playing for two seasons before moving to her current club, Kristianstads DFF in Sweden.

Paul Riley is excited to see what Holmfridur can do for the Independence. “Holmfridur is a very good wide player with speed, skill and a great ability to beat players. She will be fun to watch and will be problematic for opponents’ defenses. Holmfridur is tough as nails with a sweet left foot, and shows a great combination of power and precision. She will surely be a crowd favorite.”

The International Draft was a great success for the Independence, and we are optimistic that contract agreements will go well to bring these quality internationals to Philadelphia next season. Stay tuned to the team’s website to learn about upcoming free agency and trades, as well as the efforts to get all players signed and on the team’s roster for the start of an exciting 2010 season. Don’t be surprised if the franchise brings in a few more superstars through the free agency and trade processes. We’ve got a lot of people working very hard to bring Philadelphia fans the absolute best team in the league.