Piteå has undergone minor renovations in the team building since last season. Several established players have left for other assignments at the same time as several untested - a total of eight new acquisitions - have arrived.

One of them is the Norwegian goalkeeper Guro Pettersen, who is supposed to replace national team merit Cajsa Andersson.

Pettersen comes closest to two seasons in Vålerenga, which finished second in the league last year. Despite Champions League games knocking on the door, Piteå managed to lure her to an overseas adventure.

- It was a little coincidence that I came here. Piteå got in touch and I was introduced, something I was happy with. I thought: why not? It is a very nice city and I have actually been to Piteå a lot before. When I was a kid, I was here on vacation with my family, she tells TT.

Plays with helmet

On Saturday, the goalkeeper can make a competition debut in the football club in the premiere against the newcomer Umeå - in Piteå she competes with Caroline Frykgård for the starting place.

She has been looking forward to the premiere for a long time.

- It's totally sick. It feels like you've been waiting for eternity. I think this might be the toughest match of the season. They are newcomers but not inexperienced. Besides, who doesn't want to win a derby?

Those who watch the match will soon notice that the Norwegian is always playing with a headband. It may be good to know that she comes to damallsvenskan with a special background.

Since 2016, Pettersen has always played with a goalkeeper's helmet. The reason is that throughout his career, the 28-year-old has suffered multiple concussions.

- It's a protection and I think it's smart to protect the head. It became important as I got a little older and then I chose to play with a helmet, she says.

Twelve concussions

The cover, which, among other things, also carried Chelsea's former goalkeeper hero Petr Cech, is designed as a coarser headband.

- It (Cechs) was ugly. I designed my helmet myself. It's the most beautiful helmet I've had, says Pettersen.

Incidentally, she is brief about her history and how many concussions she has had.

On May 6, 2019, Norwegian VG reported that the then Vålerenga goalkeeper incurred his twelfth concussion in his career after flying into the goal post.

The issue was raised fairly quickly in case she should quit. However, there has never been any alternative.

- There are many who think I should, but I have no plans to stop playing football. That's the best I know, she told the newspaper then.

Piteå meets Umeå at away time at 14.