​RC Strasbourg have announced the signing of 23-year-old Danish centre-back Émilie Carlberg Byrnak, who arrives after her loan spell with Hoffenheim ahead of the 2026/27 Arkema Première Ligue season. Byrnak makes the move from Swedish club BK Häcken, adding a fresh defensive option for the Alsace side as they look to improve on a league campaign that saw them finish seventh out of twelve teams last season. Head coach Vincent Nogueira will be hoping Byrnak can help shore up a leaky defense and provide stability at the back as the team prepares for the new campaign.
Byrnak has featured at several notable clubs during her career, including BK Häcken in Sweden, Hoffenheim in Germany, Brøndby IF, and FC Nordsjælland. This latest challenge should be a valuable opportunity for the young defender to develop further and secure a regular first-team place on the continental stage. The Dane will also be aiming to push for a spot in the senior national team setup, continuing her progression at club level.
The contract for Byrnak with Strasbourg runs for two years, giving her sufficient time to adapt to the French league and regain consistent playing time after periods on the bench at Hoffenheim. In Hoffenheim’s closing stretch of the season, she found herself unused in several league fixtures, including a final game in which the team suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat away to Hamburg. The move to Strasbourg represents a chance to re-establish herself as a regular contributor at top level football.
Strasbourg’s squad now features a mix of experienced and talented players who can help drive the club up the standings in the 2026/27 season. Alongside Byrnak, the team can rely on Polish international Natalia Wróbel, and they also benefit from the presence of Portuguese stalwart Fátima Pinto and Austria international Viktoria Pinther, all of whom add quality and depth to the squad as they prepare for the campaign ahead.
The Alsace club will begin their Arkema Première Ligue campaign with a home clash against newly promoted Union Saint-Malo on September 5. Strasbourg will be eager to start on a positive note, though their opening fixture will be followed by a testing away assignment as they visit Paris Saint-Germain in their second match of the season.
Beyond Strasbourg’s moves, reports and headlines in European women’s football continue to highlight a shifting transfer market. For example, SC Freiburg goalkeeper Sarah-Lisa Dübel’s move to SK Sturm Graz in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga underscores how players are exploring opportunities across national borders. In another development, Alexia Putellas’ groundbreaking transfer to London City Lionesses marks a notable moment in the WSL landscape, while Arsenal’s addition of Selina Cerci signals ongoing strategic reinforcement ahead of the new season.