Jirijoonas Kanth

Jirijoonas Kanth

Personal information
Date of birth	(1987-06-16) 16 June 1987 (age 37)
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007	Kentucky Wildcats
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
0000–2011	HIFK	18	(1)
2012	FC Viikingit	21	(0)
2013	HIFK	16	(1)
2014	SoVo	18	(1)
2015–2017	FC Kiffen 08	54	(0)
2018	HIFK	2	(0)
2018	→ HIFK II (loan)	10	(1)
International career
	Sápmi
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jirijoonas Kanth (born 16 June 1987) is a Finnish former footballer who last played as a midfielder for HIFK.

Early life

Kanth started playing football at the age of five.[1] His great-grandmother is Sami.[2] He was childhood friends with Finland international Perparim Hetemaj.[3]

College career

Kanth attended the University of Helsinki's Teacher Education Institute.[4]

Club career

Kanth started his career with Finnish side HIFK, where he was regarded as an important player for the club.[5] He was suspended for four games due to alleged racist behavior.[6] The decision was later overturned.[7] After that, he signed for Finnish side FC Kiffen 08.[8] Before the 2018 season, he returned to Finnish side HIFK.[9] He helped the club earn promotion to the Finnish top flight before retiring.[10]

International career

Kanth played for the Sápmi football team at the 2014 ConIFA World Football Cup, where he was regarded as the team's most important player.[11] He was one of few Finnish players to play for the Sapmi team.[12] He previously represented Finland internationally at youth level.[13]

Managerial career

Kanth is a qualified teacher and worked as manager of the HIFK women's team after retiring from professional football, .[14]

Style of play

Kanth mainly operates as a midfielder and has operated as left-back.[15]

Personal life

He is of Sami descent but does not speak the language.[16] He is from Utsjoki, Finland.[17] He is nicknamed "Innu".[18] He has two sisters and two brothers.[19]

References

1. "Kanthin juuret ovat Utsjoella". yle.fi.
2. "Jirijoonas Kanth valmiina". kymppipaikka.fi.
3. "Jirijoonas Kanth - MTV article".
4. "Jirijoonas Kanth on mukana". yle.fi.
5. "Jirijoonas Kanth – jälleen Ykkösessä".
6. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Il Talehti article".
7. "Jirijoonas Kanthin pelikielto rasistisesta käytöksestä kumottiin". is.fi.
8. "Jirijoonas Kanth - ESPN article". Archived from the original on 2023-07-07.
9. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Suomi Futis article".
10. "Kanth: Tavoitteena nousu Kakkoseen".
11. "Kanth utsedd till FA Sápmis värdefullaste spelare under Conifa". sverigesradio.se.
12. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Helsingin Sanomat article".
13. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Puoliaika article".
14. "Kanth tio år efter avancemangsfesten på Bragu".
15. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Puoliaika article".
16. ""Pelifiilis nousee koko ajan"". yle.fi.
17. "Jirijoonas Kanth - Byyri article".
18. "Jirijoonas Kanth - ABC article".
19. "Jirijoonas Kanth article".