Eetu Saarela

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
–2023 OLS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (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.

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
Club Season League Cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
OLS 2024 Ykkönen 23 1 0 0 — — 23 1
AC Oulu 2024 Veikkausliiga 1 0 2 1 2 0 — 5 1
Career total 24 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 28 2
  1. ^ Includes Suomen Cup
  2. ^ Includes Finnish League Cup

Honours

OLS U17

  • P17 SM-sarja: 2023 Runners-up[3]

References

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ OLS PELAAJIA MUKANA MINIALUETURNAUKSESSA JA HUUHKAJATURNAUKSESSA!, ols.fi
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ EETU SAARELA SOPIMUKSEEN AC OULUN KANSSA, acoulu.fi, 13 December 2023
  5. ^ AC OULU SOPIMUKSEEN EETU SAARELAN KANSSA, acoulu.fi, 14 August 2024
  6. ^ U18-pojat nousi tasatulokseen Kroatian vieraana, Finnish FA, 24 March 2024
  7. ^ Tulospalvelu Palloliitto, E.Saarela, Finnish FA/ Palloliitto