Eetu Saarela

Last updated
Eetu Saarela
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-04-24) 24 April 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth Oulu, Finland [1]
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) [1]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
OLS
Youth career
–2023 OLS
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2024– OLS 23 (1)
2024– AC Oulu 1 (0)
International career
2024 Finland U18 3 (0)
2024– Finland U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 October 2024

Eetu Saarela (born 24 April 2006) is a Finnish professional footballer playing as a centre back for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu.

Contents

Early life

Saarela was born in Oulu, but lived in San Diego, United States, during 2009–2019 due to parents' work. [1]

Career

Saarela played in the youth sector of Oulun Luistinseura (OLS), [2] and was part of OLS U17 squad finishing 2nd in the youth league in 2023, and thus winning the silver medal. He scored the decisive equalizing goal in the extra-time against HJK U17 on 30 September 2023, which secured the 2nd spot for his team. [3]

Saarela signed his first professional contract with AC Oulu organisation on 13 December 2023. [4]

On 27 January 2024, Saarela made his senior debut with AC Oulu first team, in a Finnish League Cup draw against FC Haka. [1]

On 14 August 2024, his contract was extended on a two-year deal with a one-year option. [5]

International career

Saarela made his international debut for Finland U18 national team on 24 March 2024, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Croatia. [6]

Career statistics

As of 26 February 2025 [7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup [a] League cup [b] EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
OLS 2024 Ykkönen 23100231
AC Oulu 2024 Veikkausliiga 10212051
2025 Veikkausliiga00001010
Total1021310062
Career total241213000292

Honours

OLS U17

References