Eetu Saarela

Last updated
Eetu Saarela
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-04-24) 24 April 2006 (age 18)
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
0000–2023 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 19 October 2024 [7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup [lower-alpha 1] League cup [lower-alpha 2] EuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
OLS 2024 Ykkönen 23100231
AC Oulu 2024 Veikkausliiga 10212051
Career total241212000282

Honours

OLS U17

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Oulu</span> Finnish football club

AC Oulu is a Finnish professional football club based in Oulu, currently playing in Finland's premier division, Veikkausliiga. Formed in 2002, the club have played six seasons in Finland's highest football league Veikkausliiga and 16 seasons in the second highest league. They currently play their home games at Raatti Stadium, and the club colours are navy blue, and white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rafinha (footballer, born 1982)</span> Brazilian footballer

Rafael Scapini de Almeida, commonly known as Rafinha, is a Brazilian football coach of OLS and a former professional footballer. Besides Brazil, he has played in Finland and Belgium. During his career, Rafinha was deployed on different positions on the field, having started as a winger, moving on to midfield and ending his career as a centre back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niklas Jokelainen</span> Finnish footballer (born 2000)

Niklas Jokelainen is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains AC Oulu in Veikkausliiga.

Konstantinos Bratsos is a Greek professional football manager.

Otso Urho Eemil Liimatta is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Famalicão and the Finland under-21 national team.

Miika Juho Sakari Koskela is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eliteserien club Tromsø.

Jere Kallinen is a Finnish professional football player. He plays as a defensive midfielder for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu and the Finland U21 national team.

Tony Miettinen is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Eliteserien club Odd and the Finland under-21 national team.

Dario Felix Naamo is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Austrian 2. Liga club St. Pölten, on loan from SJK Seinäjoki, and the Finland U21 national team.

Eelis Taskila is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back.

Julius Paananen is a Finnish professional football midfielder for Veikkausliiga side AC Oulu.

Onni Suutari is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu.

Julius Körkkö is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu.

Samuli Hölttä is a Finnish professional football defender who plays as a centre back for Veikkausliiga side AC Oulu.

Aaro Tiihonen is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a right back for RoPS in Ykkönen.

Vincent Ulundu is a Finnish professional football player, who plays as a winger for Veikkausliiga club Ilves, and the Finland under-19 national team.

Otso-Pekka Parkkila is a Finnish professional footballer playing as a full back for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu.

Lasse Ikonen is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ykkösliiga club TPS.

Elias Collin is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a left back for Ykkösliiga club TPS.

Raymond Roan Nogha Nogha is a Cameroonian professional football player who plays for Czech First League club Baník Ostrava, on loan from Cameroonian Nkufo Academy.

References