Hanna Glas Bio
Hanna Erica Maria Glas (born 16 April 1993) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a defender. Over the course of her career, she represented clubs in Sweden, France, Germany, and the United States, establishing herself as a reliable and resilient full-back. She earned 59 caps for the Sweden national team, competing in major tournaments including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Standing 1.72 m tall, Glas combined physical presence with tactical awareness, contributing both defensive stability and attacking width from the back. Her career, however, was frequently interrupted by serious knee injuries, including four ACL tears. Despite these setbacks, she continued to return to the pitch and contribute at the highest levels of European and American women’s football.
Hanna Glas Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Hanna Erica Maria Glas was born on 16 April 1993 in Sundsvall, a coastal city in northern Sweden. She was raised by her mother, Susanne Glas, and her father, Leif Nilsson. She also has a brother named Johan. Sundsvall provided the foundation for her early footballing development, and the region produced a steady stream of competitive female players who moved into the top tiers of Swedish football.
Glas first experienced organized football through the local youth system, where her combination of athleticism and tactical awareness set her apart. Her performances in youth setups quickly attracted the attention of national team scouts, and she represented Sweden at the under-17 level in 2009. The following year, she suffered the first of four ACL injuries that would shape the resilience of her professional journey.
Hanna Glas Path to Soccer
Path to Soccer
Glas began her football career at Sundsvalls DFF, competing in Sweden’s second division, the Elitettan. She spent two seasons with the club between 2011 and 2012, gaining valuable experience against senior opposition. Her performances earned her a move to Sunnanå SK of the Damallsvenskan, Sweden’s top flight, in 2013, marking her first experience with a fully professional team.
Unfortunately, a second ACL tear in March 2023 during a pre-season match against Umeå IK forced her to miss the entire 2013 season. Despite this setback, she recovered and joined Umeå IK in November 2013, beginning a three-year spell with the club. During this period, she balanced her time between the senior squad and Sweden’s under-23 team, refining her skills as a defender and developing the tactical discipline that would become a hallmark of her game.
Hanna Glas Career
Early Career (2011-2013)
Hanna Glas’s early professional years were spent navigating both the second and first tiers of Swedish women’s football. After her stint at Sundsvalls DFF, she moved to Sunnanå SK, but a second ACL injury kept her out of action for the remainder of 2013. The following year, she joined Umeå IK, where she played sixteen matches in her first season and scored two goals.
At the end of the 2014 season, Glas extended her contract with Umeå, signaling her commitment to the club. However, a third ACL tear in September 2015 against Kopparberg/Goeteborg FC halted her momentum. She spent most of 2016 rehabilitating but returned in late August to play ten matches as Umeå were relegated to the Elitettan after 19 consecutive top-flight seasons.
Eskilstuna United and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-2020)
In November 2016, Glas signed a two-year deal with Eskilstuna United of the Damallsvenskan. Her strong performances in Sweden earned her a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, where she competed in the Division 1 Féminine. Glas, however, found game time limited, making only five league appearances in her second season at the club.
Despite the challenges in France, her time at PSG elevated her profile on the European stage, paving the way for a move to one of the continent’s most decorated clubs.
Bayern Munich Breakthrough (2020-2023)
Glas joined Bayern Munich on a three-year deal in 2020, entering one of the strongest leagues in the world. Her impact was immediate. On 25 April 2021, in the first leg of Bayern’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal against Chelsea, she provided an assist and scored the match-winner. Although Bayern were eliminated 4-1 in the second leg, UEFA later selected her goal as the best of the 2020-21 tournament.
On 6 June 2021, Glas celebrated her first major club title when Bayern Munich won the Frauen-Bundesliga. A fourth ACL tear in September 2022, this time during a training session with the national team, forced her to miss the entire 2022-2023 Bundesliga season. She departed Bayern in 2023 with a championship medal and a reputation for producing decisive moments in high-stakes matches.
Kansas City Current Era (2023-2024)
In 2023, Glas signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Current of the NWSL. However, a season-ending knee injury kept her sidelined for the entirety of 2023. She finally returned to action on 27 July 2024 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, recording an assist in a 3-0 win over Pachuca before being substituted off in the 67th minute. This would be her only appearance for the Current.
Seattle Reign FC Era (2024-2025)
On 2 September 2024, the Kansas City Current traded Glas to Seattle Reign FC in exchange for $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds, plus an additional $10,000 in potential performance-based compensation. She made her Reign debut on 17 September 2024, starting a 2-0 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC. In November 2024, the club re-signed her to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2026. Glas retired from professional football at the end of 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the pitch, Glas was known for her composure in one-on-one defending, intelligent overlapping runs, and accurate crossing from the flanks. Her time at Bayern Munich highlighted her ability to read the game at an elite European level, while her stint in the NWSL demonstrated her tactical adaptability across different playing styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of her career came in April 2021, when her assist and winning goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal earned her UEFA’s Goal of the Tournament award. Glas also played a key role in Sweden’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup bronze medal and 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medal, cementing her place among the country’s most accomplished defenders.
Hanna Glas Career Wins
Throughout her club career, Hanna Glas accumulated several major honors, including a Frauen-Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. She also contributed to Sweden’s third-place finish at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her most celebrated individual achievement was her UEFA Goal of the Tournament for the 2020-21 Champions League campaign.
Club Honours
At the club level, Glas’s most significant triumph came in 2021 when Bayern Munich secured the Frauen-Bundesliga. Despite injury setbacks, she played a role in the title-winning campaign, contributing key moments in the league and Champions League.
Hanna Glas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hanna was born in Sundsvall, Sweden to Susanne Glas and Leif Nilsson. She has a brother, Johan. Her family provided a stable foundation as she pursued a career that would take her across multiple countries and continents.
Personal Life
In July 2023, Hanna Glas married her long-time partner, Christoffer Milde, after being together for over ten years. The couple’s relationship has been a source of personal support throughout her career, particularly during her multiple injury recoveries.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the final chapter of Hanna Glas’s professional career with Seattle Reign FC. After re-signing with the club in late 2024 on a one-year deal, she continued to provide defensive depth and experience for the Reign’s backline. Her veteran presence was particularly valuable in mentoring younger defenders and maintaining tactical discipline throughout the campaign.
Glas’s season was also notable as a farewell tour, with her retirement announcement marking the end of an era characterized by remarkable perseverance. Her ability to return from four ACL tears and still perform at the top levels of European and American football stood as a testament to her dedication and love for the game.
Looking ahead, Glas’s transition into retirement opens the door to potential roles in coaching, punditry, or football development, where her wealth of experience could benefit the next generation of players.
