Eetu Saarela
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 April 2006 | ||
| 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* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | OLS | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | AC Oulu | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2024– | Finland U18 | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 April 2024 | |||
Eetu Saarela (born 24 April 2006) is a Finnish professional footballer playing as a centre back for Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu.
Early life[edit]
Saarela was born in Oulu, but lived in San Diego, United States, during 2009–2019 due to parents' work.[1]
Career[edit]
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]
International career[edit]
Saarela made his international debut for Finland U18 national team on 24 March 2024, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Croatia.[5]
Career statistics[edit]
- As of 16 April 2024[6]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Other | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| OLS | 2024 | Ykkönen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| AC Oulu | 2024 | Veikkausliiga | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[b] | 0 | — | 3 | 1 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||
- ^ Includes Suomen Cup
- ^ Appearance(s) in Finnish League Cup
Honours[edit]
OLS U17[edit]
- P17 SM-sarja: 2023 Runners-up[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Vielä 15 kuukautta sitten Eetu Saarela pelasi B-poikien Ykköstä – Nyt 17-vuotias juniori oli AC Oulun avauskokoonpanon topparina liigacupissa, Kaleva, 27 January 2024
- ^ OLS PELAAJIA MUKANA MINIALUETURNAUKSESSA JA HUUHKAJATURNAUKSESSA!, ols.fi
- ^ a b Eetu Saarelan maali lisäajalla toi oululaisille poikien SM-hopeaa – "Tämä ei ollut ensimmäinen kerta, kun käänsimme lopussa ottelun eduksemme", Kaleva, 30 September 2023
- ^ EETU SAARELA SOPIMUKSEEN AC OULUN KANSSA, acoulu.fi, 13 December 2023
- ^ U18-pojat nousi tasatulokseen Kroatian vieraana, Finnish FA, 24 March 2024
- ^ Tulospalvelu Palloliitto, E.Saarela, Finnish FA/ Palloliitto
External links[edit]
- Eetu Saarela at Soccerway