FF Jaro

Last updated
Jaro
FF Jaro logotype.svg
Full nameFotbollsföreningen Jaro Jalkapalloseura
Founded1965
Ground Project Liv Arena, Jakobstad
Capacity3,600
ChairmanTommy Löfs
Manager Jens Karlsson
League Veikkausliiga
2025 Veikkausliiga, 7th of 12

Fotbollsföreningen Jaro (Jakobstads Rostfria), commonly known simply as Jaro, is a Finnish professional football club based in the bilingual town of Jakobstad. The club currently plays in Veikkausliiga, the top tier in Finland.

Contents

History

Jaro was founded on December 18, 1965 by football enthusiasts working at Oy Jakobstads Rostfria Ab, which became the club’s first sponsor. Jaro rose through the Finnish football divisions, earning promotion to Finland’s top tier for the first time in 1988 by beating MyPa in a playoff game for direct promotion (3–2 on penalties). The club was relegated after one season but returned in 1991 and remained in Veikkausliiga until 1998. Jaro finished 5th in 1995 and played in the Intertoto Cup in 1996. Jaro also reached the Finnish Cup final in 1999 but lost to FC Jokerit.

The 2000s saw ups and downs, including financial difficulties in 2008 that were resolved through restructuring. Jaro remained in the Veikkausliiga from 2002 until 2015, when they were relegated to Ykkönen. In recent years, the club has continued to fight for promotion. In 2024, Jaro successfully returned to Veikkausliiga. In all, Jaro has played 23 seasons in the top-tier.

Stadium

Jakobstads Centralplan Pietarsaaren keskuskentta.jpg
Jakobstads Centralplan

Until July 2025, Jaro played their home games at Jakobstads Centralplan, a stadium originally opened in 1971 and renovated in 2003. The venue has a capacity of approximately 5,000 spectators. The stadium's attendance record of 5,611 was set during a 2007 Veikkausliiga local derby between FF Jaro and VPS. This match drew nearly 1,300 more spectators than the previous record.

The new Pietarsaari Football Stadium (named Project Liv Arena for sponsorship reasons) opened in July 2025.

Current squad

As of 23 January 2026 [1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
2 DF Flag of Norway.svg  NOR Fabian Ness
3 DF Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Erik Gunnarsson
4 MF Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Michael Ogungbaro
5 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Aron Bjonbäck
6 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Johan Brunell
8 MF Flag of Norway.svg  NOR Jesper Skau
9 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Kaius Hardén
10 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Ted Söderström
11 MF Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  SYR Oliver Kass Kawo
12 GK Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Anton Finell
15 FW Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Rudi Vikström
No.Pos.NationPlayer
17 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Ludvig Nyman
18 FW Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Elliot Holmäng
20 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Luca Weckström
21 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Jim Myrevik
23 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Felix Kass
24 MF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Valde Löfs
28 MF Flag of The Gambia.svg  GAM Emmanuel Mendy
32 FW Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Linus Zetterström
98 MF Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Herman Sjögrell
99 GK Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  BEL Senne Vits

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer

Management and boardroom

Management

As of 5 January 2026 [2]

NameRole
Flag of Sweden.svg Jens Karlsson Head coach
Flag of Finland.svg Christian Sund Assistant coach
Flag of Finland.svg Johannes KarfGoalkeeping coach
Flag of Finland.svg Jeremias KlemetsFitness coach
Flag of Finland.svg Johan HultNaprapath
Flag of Finland.svg Jesper AhlvikMasseur
Flag of Finland.svg Veppe TervaskangasTeam Manager
Flag of Finland.svg Tobias SundbergDoctor

Boardroom

As of 5 February 2026 [3]

NameRole
Flag of Finland.svg Tommy LöfsChairman
Flag of Finland.svg Dan KäldmanCEO
Flag of Finland.svg Maria LjungeldCOO
Flag of the United States.svg Chris Corcoran Team Manager
Flag of Finland.svg Mikael ByggmästarChairman of the Youthsection
Flag of Finland.svg Ida-Marie JungellHead of Marketing

Season to season

International achievements

1996 UEFA Intertoto Cup

FF Jaro – Flag of France.svg Guingamp 0-0
Flag of Romania.svg Dinamo Bucharest – FF Jaro 0–2
FF Jaro – Flag of Georgia.svg Kolkheti Poti 2–0
Flag of Serbia.svg Zemun – FF Jaro 3–2

Former managers

References

  1. ↑ FF Jaro. "Joukkue". www.ffjaro.fi. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  2. ↑ FF Jaro. "Joukkue". www.ffjaro.fi. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Toimisto" (in Finnish). FF Jaro. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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