Norwegian midfielder Emilie Joramo has completed a long-awaited move to England, joining Brighton on a free transfer at the end of June after departing Swedish club Hammarby. The 24-year-old admits she deliberately waited for the right moment to make the switch to the Women's Super League, rather than rushing into the move earlier in her career.
"I'd been interested in the league for a long time now and it was a goal for me to get here one day," Joramo said. "It was about finding the right path for me to get here. I didn't want to go too early, I wanted to feel ready for it both physically and mentally. Now, everything just felt right."
Brighton had monitored Joramo for an extended period before finally securing her signature, with manager Dario Vidosic playing a key role in convincing the midfielder that the club was the right destination. Joramo revealed that knowing of Brighton's sustained interest, rather than a fleeting scouting mission, gave her confidence in the move.
"It's reassuring for me that they really wanted me," she explained. "They hadn't just watched a couple games, they'd been following me for years, and that's really important to me because I'm not going to jump at the first opportunity I get."
Her development in Scandinavia laid the groundwork for this step. Joramo spent time with Rosenborg, helping the club end a 21-year wait for the Norwegian Cup, before moving to Hammarby, where she reached the final of the inaugural Europa Cup last season. She credited her time in Sweden with shaping her both as a player and as a person, noting that she did not feel ready for England at 21 and instead prioritized regular first-team football.
Describing her playing style, Joramo characterized herself as relentlessly hardworking and possession-oriented, traits she believes align well with Vidosic's tactical approach at Brighton. "I would say that I'm a hardworking player," she said. "I always give 100% all of the time... I want to have the ball. I want to play, not just put balls in behind but to keep the ball, play with each other, [build] good relationships with the other players and think several steps ahead."
She acknowledged that the WSL represents a significant step up in intensity compared to Swedish football, viewing it as an opportunity to sharpen her game further. Early impressions of Vidosic's coaching have been encouraging, with Joramo praising his tactical acumen and philosophy, which she feels matches her own footballing values.
Adjusting to life at a bigger club has come with challenges, particularly navigating an expanded support staff compared to what she experienced in Scandinavia. However, she has found the transition eased by her girlfriend joining her in England, allowing the couple to explore the coastal city together during time away from football.
Joramo was Brighton's second signing of the summer, with the club going on to add five more players to the squad. She hopes her performances in England will boost her prospects with the Norwegian national team, for whom she made her debut in 2022 and has earned three caps to date, including a bench role during April's World Cup qualifying wins over Slovenia. Norway still face a two-legged playoff against Romania, followed by a potential tie against Albania or Wales, in pursuit of a spot at the 2027 World Cup.
"Hopefully this also will strengthen my opportunities with the national team," Joramo said. "I know this is the best league in the world, so if I get to play here, then I've done something right, I think."
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.