Elma Novah Junttila Nelhage (born 21 May 2003) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Première Ligue club Lyon and the Sweden national team. She has previously played in the Damallsvenskan for BK Häcken, and in the Toppserien for Kolbotn.
Club career BK Häcken Junttila Nelhage was born in Hisingen, Sweden. She began her professional career with BK Häcken, which she signed her first professional contract with in March 2021. She spent most of the 2021 campaign out on loan, playing for Kolbotn, who placed sixth in the Norwegian top division Toppserien. Nelhage made 14 league appearances of which she started in 12.
She made her debut in the Damallsvenskan, the top tier of Swedish women's football, in 2022. Nelhage scored her first Damallsvenskan goal on 10 October 2024, against Vittsjö GIK. With BK Häcken, she made a total of 91 appearances across all competitions, scoring 3 goals. In the league alone, she played 51 matches, including 18 starts in 20 appearances during the 2023/2024 season.
Lyon On 3 January 2025, she joined Lyon, after her contract with BK Häcken expired, signing a contract until 30 June 2027. At the time of her signing, she was the only left-footed central defender in the squad. She made her debut for Lyon on 14 March 2025, coming on as a substitute in a league match against Stade de Reims.
International career Junttila Nelhage has represented Sweden at various youth levels. She made her senior team debut on 28 October 2025 in a 1–0 loss to Spain.
Career statistics International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSweden202530202640Total70
Honours Lyon Première Ligue: 2024–25, 2025–26 Coupe de France Féminine: 2025–26 Coupe LFFP: 2025–26
References
External links