On Friday, the Danish women's handball champions, Team Esbjerg, announced the signing of 21-year-old Danish national team player Julie Scaglione from their rivals, Ikast.
Scaglione, who is expected to become a key figure for the national team in the coming years, has signed a contract running until the summer of 2030.
Ikast recognized her exceptional talent early on. The left-back made her first-team debut at just 16, and she makes no secret of the fact that saying goodbye to the club was difficult.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Ikast; both the club and my teammates mean a great deal to me. They gave me a chance when I was 16, so it took a lot to convince me to leave," she says in the Team Esbjerg press release.
Despite facing involuntary breaks due to a couple of serious injuries, she has at just 21 already given evidence that she belongs among the international elite.
She made her national team debut at 17, and despite the time on the sidelines, she has already played in one major tournament and earned 30 caps for Denmark.
Team Esbjerg coach Tomas Axnér is thrilled to welcome her to the squad. "Despite her young age, Julie has demonstrated world-class ability, and many of her qualities as a player are top-tier."
"Offensively, she poses a threat with her shooting, ability to break through defenses, game intelligence, and timing—whether playing for the national team, in the Champions League, or in the Danish league," says the Swedish coach in the press release.