Norwegian goalkeeper Benedicte Håland has taken an unusual route to football in Wales. Born in lesund, she began her senior career at 17 with Arna-Bjørnar Fotball, before spells with Sandviken and clubs across Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Scotland and England.
Håland first moved to England in 2020, joining Bristol City. After gaining experience abroad, she returned to the club in 2023, then signed for Southampton in January 2024. The following year, she joined Gwalia United.
Håland has also represented Norway at under-17 and under-19 level. Now part of Gwalia United’s goalkeeping group, she brings a wealth of experience to the club – and a career shaped by adapting to new teams, countries and challenges.
Benni brings calm authority and athleticism to the heart of Gwalia United’s defence. A commanding presence in goal, she combines remarkable agility with the composure to organise those in front of her and the bravery to make decisive interventions.
With Håland behind them, the whole side can defend with greater belief.
Her route has been anything but ordinary: from Norway’s west coast to a Hearts derby, via five countries. For a goalkeeper, that breadth of experience may be its own kind of preparation – learning to settle quickly, read the game and make the next save count.
She won Gwalia United’s coveted Player of the Season Award for season 2025-26, and also the Player’s Player of the Season Trophy, cementing not only her ability but also what her fellow squad members think of her as a person and player.
“Benni has been fantastic for us since her arrival. Her standards are an example to every single one of our players. She demands the best out of herself and that kind of attitude is infectious”
Cori WIlliams-Mills- Gwalia manager.
Those with a keen eye might notice also that from a grammatical standpoint, some would require clarity. Benni reassures us that Håland / Haaland to be interchangeable in Norwegian, for those interested, but whichever way the name is spelt, seeing Haaland 26 lining up in goal for Gwalia spells problems for opposition forwards
