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.
Saarela was born in Oulu, but lived in San Diego, United States, during 2009–2019 due to parents' work.[1]
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]
Saarela made his international debut for Finland U18 national team on 24 March 2024, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Croatia.[5]
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 |