| Maria Karlsson De Cecco (before Karlsson) | |
| Fullname: | Maria Josefina Karlsson De Cecco[1] |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in[2] |
| Birth Date: | 8 February 1985 |
| Birth Place: | Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Position: | Defender / Midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | 1999–2001 |
| Youthclubs1: | Sätila SK |
| Years1: | 2002–2008 |
| Years2: | 2009–2010 |
| Years3: | 2011 |
| Years4: | 2011 |
| Years5: | 2012–2014 |
| Years6: | 2014–2015 |
| Years7: | 2015–2016 |
| Clubs1: | Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC |
| Clubs2: | Linköpings FC |
| Clubs3: | Doncaster Rovers Belles |
| Clubs4: | Jitex BK |
| Clubs5: | Bardolino Verona |
| Clubs6: | Brescia |
| Clubs7: | AS Saint-Étienne |
| Caps1: | 112 |
| Goals1: | 13 |
| Caps2: | 38 |
| Goals2: | 4 |
| Caps3: | 13 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Caps4: | 6 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Caps5: | 74 |
| Goals5: | 15 |
| Caps6: | 25 |
| Goals6: | 1 |
| Caps7: | 21 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 15:35, 10 February 2018 (UTC) |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 15:35, 10 February 2018 (UTC) |
Maria Josefina Karlsson De Cecco (born 8 February 1985) is a Swedish former footballer. Her last club was AS Saint-Étienne of France's Division 1 Féminine, where she played as a defender. Karlsson De Cecco currently works as CEO and agent for the global football agency CMG, representing players and coaches within women's football.
Karlsson De Cecco played for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (2002–2008) and Linköpings FC (2009–2010). After signing for Linköpings, Karlsson De Cecco was known as Maria Karlsson II,[1] or Maria "Kalle" Karlsson due to the presence of senior teammate and namesake Maria "Kia" Karlsson.[3] Karlsson De Cecco made 154 appearances in the Damallsvenskan, the highest level of women's football in Sweden. She won a League, Super cup and Cup triple with Linköping in 2009. She also played in the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.[1]
In January 2011 Karlsson De Cecco became the first Swede to sign for a club in the new FA WSL.[4] After a successful trial, she signed a deal to play for Doncaster Rovers Belles while living at the Ramada Jarvis hotel in Doncaster.[5] At the end of the English season Karlsson returned to Sweden, signing for Jitex BK.[6] After six Damallsvenskan appearances and one goal,[7] in November 2011 Karlsson De Cecco revealed she had departed Jitex and was considering a contract offer from Italian club Bardolino Verona.[8] She signed a six-month deal to commence on 1 January 2012.[9]
After moving on to Brescia, Karlsson De Cecco transferred to French Division 1 Féminine team AS Saint-Étienne in August 2015.[10]
Karlsson De Cecco won a total of 57 caps with Sweden at youth level.[2] These comprised eight caps at Under - 17 level, 24 at Under - 19 level and 25 at Under - 21/23 level.[11]