Pet Corner Special: Maria Thorisdottir

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Norway international defender Maria Thorisdottir takes the Pet Corner spotlight in this bumped-up Christmas edition, introducing her working Golden Retriever, Theo. She recalls finding him through a chance online advert during a two-year injury lay-off that threatened her career, and describes him as her ‘lifesaver’ and unofficial psychologist through subsequent setbacks. Thorisdottir, who won WSL titles at both Chelsea and Manchester United before her Brighton move, discusses Theo’s love of the sea near her new south-coast home, his usual pre-match lasagne, and a Dogs Trust Manchester visit inspired by former Chelsea teammate Fran Kirby. She also picks which former teammates – including Maren Mjelde, Sophie Baggaley and current Brighton colleague Emma Kullberg – she would trust to dog-sit.