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Mikael Forssell

Mikael Kaj Forssell (born 15 March 1981) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a striker.[2] After his playing career, he has also worked as a coach.[3]

Mikael Forssell
Forssell during Birmingham City's pre-season tour, 2004
Personal information
Full name Mikael Kaj Forssell[1]
Date of birth (1981-03-15) 15 March 1981 (age 43)[1]
Place of birth Steinfurt, West Germany
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1994–1997 HJK
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1998 HJK 17 (1)
1998–2005 Chelsea 33 (5)
2000Crystal Palace (loan) 13 (3)
2000–2001Crystal Palace (loan) 39 (13)
2003Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan) 12 (7)
2003–2004Birmingham City (loan) 32 (17)
2004–2005Birmingham City (loan) 4 (0)
2005–2008 Birmingham City 65 (13)
2008–2011 Hannover 96 44 (7)
2011–2012 Leeds United 15 (0)
2012–2014 HJK 44 (21)
2014–2015 VfL Bochum 16 (3)
2016 HJK 19 (3)
2017 HIFK 25 (8)
Total 383 (101)
International career
1999–2014 Finland 87 (29)
Managerial career
2019– HJK (youth)
Medal record
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Forssell began his professional career in 1997 for HJK, having progressed through the team's youth teams, but he only remained at the club for a single season, making 17 league appearances, before he moved to England to join Chelsea in 1998. He never broke into the Chelsea team, making 33 league appearances in seven years, and spent two loan spells at Crystal Palace, one at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and two at Birmingham City. He switched permanently to the latter club in 2005, but injury problems restricted him to 65 league appearances in three seasons. He joined German side Hannover 96 in July 2008 on a free transfer, but once again struggled with form and injury problems, and he left the club in 2011, having made 44 league appearances. This was followed by an unsuccessful season back in England, this time with Leeds United; 15 league games failed to yield a single goal. Forssell returned to HJK in October 2012.

Forssell made his full international debut for Finland in 1999, and was a regular player for his country for the next 15 years. He earned 87 caps for his country, and scored 29 goals, making him Finland's sixth most capped player and second highest goalscorer.

Club career edit

Born in Steinfurt,[4] Germany, and considered one of the most talented Finnish footballers of all time, Forssell made his Veikkausliiga debut for HJK at the age of just 16.[2]

Chelsea edit

His goal-scoring form for Finland's youth teams made him a target for a host of Europe's top clubs, and in 1998, the 17-year-old striker was snapped up by Chelsea[5] who at the time were managed by Gianluca Vialli. He made his debut as a substitute in a league game against Arsenal in January 1999[6] and then three days later, Forssell made his first start for the club when he scored two goals against Oxford United in the FA Cup.[7] His first league goal came three weeks later, when he scored against Nottingham Forest.[8] However, when Chelsea signed Chris Sutton for £10 million, Forssell was loaned out twice to Crystal Palace[9] of the then First Division, scoring 16 league goals in just over 50 appearances.[10]

Forssell found it hard to find a place in the Chelsea first team with Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Tore Andre Flo and Eiður Guðjohnsen, who were all ahead of him in the pecking order.[8] After initially impressing new manager Claudio Ranieri, scoring in four consecutive games,[11] he was sent out on loan again and had spells at Borussia Mönchengladbach[12] of the German Bundesliga[13] and twice to Birmingham City of the Premier League. Forssell scored seven Bundesliga goals for Mönchengladbach in the spring of 2003 and then 17 Premier League goals for Birmingham in the 2003–04 season (more league goals than any other Chelsea player), during which he was the division's fifth highest goalscorer. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 2004,[14] a month in which he scored twice in a 4–1 win against Leeds United,[15] and won Birmingham's Player of the Year award.[16]

He returned to Birmingham on loan for the 2004–05 season, but suffered the second serious knee injury of his career.[17] He returned to Chelsea to recuperate, and made occasional appearances for Chelsea that season,[18] playing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League[19] and in the last home match, against Charlton Athletic, as Chelsea celebrated winning their first top-flight title for 50 years.[20]

Birmingham City edit

In the summer of 2005, Forssell joined Birmingham on a three-year deal for a fee of £3.5 million,[21] after Chelsea decided that he did not figure in their long-term plans. He struggled in the 2005–06 season, not having found his best form after his injury, and could not save Birmingham from relegation. Forssell suffered another cruel injury blow to his other knee during training in October 2006. This left him on the sidelines until he returned to training in February 2007 after undergoing operations on both knees. He remained at Birmingham to have another go at resurrecting his career.

His 2007–08 pre-season performances were good, he scored five goals in five games. His manager, Steve Bruce, was enthusiastic about his return to form. He continued his good form into the start of the season, scoring the opening goal of the match against Chelsea and consolidating his good form with two assists in the next three matches. He scored his first hat-trick at club level on 1 March 2008, in the 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, a so-called "perfect hat-trick" – one goal scored with the left foot, one with the right, and one with the head.[22] In his final season at Birmingham, he finished the season as their top scorer with nine goals as the club were relegated from the Premier League.[23]

Hannover 96 edit

In May 2008, following the club's relegation from Premier League, Forssell signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hannover 96 on a free transfer when his Birmingham contract expired at the end of June. His contract with Hannover ran out at the end of the 2010–11 season.[24][25]

On his pre-season debut for Hannover, he scored 10 goals including an eight-minute hat-trick in one friendly game against amateurs FC Boffzen. The game ended up as a 23–0 win.[26]

Leeds United edit

After leaving Hannover when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season, Forssell had trials with clubs including West Ham United[27] and Leeds United[28] of the English Football League Championship (second tier). On 8 September he returned from international duty with Finland to sign a contract with Leeds until the end of the 2011–12 season.[29] Forssell was handed the number 18 shirt and took his place on the bench two days later against his former club Crystal Palace. He came on as a second-half substitute to make his Leeds debut and assisted Ross McCormack for their winning goal in a 3–2 victory.[30] He came on as a substitute against fierce rivals Manchester United in a 3–0 League Cup defeat.[31]

After mainly being used as a substitute and failing to score a single goal for Leeds, Forssell was told by Neil Warnock that his one-year contract wouldn't be renewed at the end of the 2011–12 season and that he would be released from the club at the expiry of his contract.[32]

Return to HJK edit

On 29 October 2012, it was announced that Forssell would be returning to Finland after spending 14 years abroad, signing a two-year contract with his former club HJK.[33] On 22 April 2013, Forssell opened the scoring by a header, in a 2–0 away win over rivals Honka. He finished the season with 14 league goals, the club's top goalscorer as HJK won their fifth consecutive championship.

After a stint with German side VfL Bochum, Forssell rejoined HJK on 3 March 2016.[34]

HIFK and retirement edit

On 10 April 2017, Forssell signed a contract for one year with HIFK.[35] Forssell announced his retirement in May 2018.[36]

International career edit

Forssell was a regular for the Finnish national team for most of the 2000s. He played his first match for Finland on 9 June 1999 against Moldova, and scored his first goal on 28 February 2001 against Luxembourg.[37] He often partnered Jari Litmanen.[38] Forssell also played for Finland in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Forssell scored twice against Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier; the match ended 2–2.[39]

Forssell scored two hat-tricks for Finland. On 7 September 2005, in Tampere, he scored three goals against FYR Macedonia in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. On 17 November 2010, Forssell scored three of Finland's eight goals against San Marino in the Euro 2012 qualifying.[40]

Personal life edit

Forssell's older sister, Christina Forssell [fi], was also a footballer who played for HJK and Finland. On 23 August 2013, Forssell married Metti Lukkarila,[41] the couple have Lilia, born in May 2014,[42] and Lucas Mikael, born in August 2016.[43]

Honours edit

HJK Helsinki

Finland

Individual

Career statistics edit

Club career edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
HJK 1997[47] Veikkausliiga 1 0 0 0 1 0
1998[47][48] Veikkausliiga 16 1 4[c] 0 20 1
Total 17 1 4 0 21 1
Chelsea 1998–99[49] FA Premier League 10 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 13 3
1999–2000[50] FA Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 2 0
2001–02[51] FA Premier League 22 4 6 3 4 2 3[d] 0 35 9
2002–03[52] FA Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04[53] FA Premier League 0 0 1[c] 0 1 0
2004–05[54] FA Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 2 0
Total 33 5 9 5 5 2 6 0 53 12
Crystal Palace (loan) 1999–2000[50] First Division 13 3 0 0 0 0 13 3
2000–01[55] First Division 39 13 2 0 8 2 49 15
Total 52 16 2 0 8 2 62 18
Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan) 2002–03[56] Bundesliga 16 7 16 7
Birmingham City (loan) 2003–04[53] FA Premier League 32 17 4 2 1 0 37 19
2004–05[54] FA Premier League 4 0 0 0 4 0
Birmingham City 2005–06[57] FA Premier League 27 3 5 3 3 2 35 8
2006–07[58] Championship 8 1 0 0 2 0 10 1
2007–08[59] Premier League 30 9 1 0 1 0 32 9
Total 101 30 10 5 7 2 118 37
Hannover 96 2008–09[48] Bundesliga 30 7 1 0 31 7
2009–10[48] Bundesliga 2 0 1 0 3 0
2010–11[48] Bundesliga 12 0 1 0 13 0
Total 44 7 3 0 47 7
Hannover 96 II 2009–10[48] Regionalliga Nord 1 0 1 0
Leeds United 2011–12[60] Championship 15 0 1 0 1 0 17 0
HJK 2013[61][62] Veikkausliiga 27 14 2 0 5 3 2[c] 0 36 17
2014[61] Veikkausliiga 17 7 1 0 5 4 1[c] 0 24 11
Total 44 21 3 0 10 7 3 0 60 28
VfL Bochum 2014–15[61] 2. Bundesliga 16 3 1 0 17 3
HJK 2016[61][63] Veikkausliiga 19 3 4 2 0 0 1[e] 0 24 5
HIFK 2017[61] Veikkausliiga 26 8 0 0 2[f] 0 28 8
Career total 384 101 33 12 31 13 16 0 464 126
  1. ^ Includes Finnish Cup, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes Finnish League Cup, Football League Cup / EFL Cup, Ligapokal
  3. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  5. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearance in relegation play-off

International edit

As of 9 March 2016[10]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

Finland national team
Year Apps Goals
1999 1 0
2000 7 0
2001 9 6
2002 2 1
2003 9 4
2004 3 1
2005 7 3
2006 6 1
2007 7 1
2008 8 1
2009 6 1
2010 7 5
2011 9 2
2012 0 0
2013 5 3
2014 1 0
Total 87 29

International goals

Finland's score given first. As of 26 March 2013.[2]

Mikael Forssell international goals
# Date Location Opponent Result Competition
1. 28 February 2001 Luxembourg, Luxembourg   Luxembourg 1–0 Friendly
2. 2 June 2001 Helsinki, Finland   Germany 2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.
4. 15 August 2001 Helsinki, Finland   Belgium 4–1 Friendly
5. 5 September 2001 Helsinki, Finland   Greece 5–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.
7. 27 March 2002 Porto, Portugal   Portugal 4–1 Friendly
8. 30 April 2003 Vantaa, Finland   Iceland 3–0 Friendly
9. 7 June 2003 Helsinki, Finland   Serbia and Montenegro 3–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
10. 10 September 2003 Cardiff, Wales   Wales 1–1 Euro 2004 qualifying
11. 11 October 2003 Tampere, Finland   Canada 3–2 Friendly
12. 8 September 2004 Jerevan, Armenia   Armenia 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
13. 7 September 2005 Tampere, Finland   Macedonia 5–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
14.
15.
16. 1 March 2006 Larnaka, Cyprus   Belarus 2–2 Friendly
17. 17 November 2007 Helsinki, Finland   Azerbaijan 2–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
18. 11 October 2008 Helsinki, Finland   Azerbaijan 1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
19. 6 June 2009 Helsinki, Finland   Liechtenstein 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
20. 7 September 2010 Rotterdam, Netherlands   Netherlands 1–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
21. 12 October 2010 Helsinki, Finland   Hungary 1–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
22. 17 November 2010 Helsinki, Finland   San Marino 8–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
23.
24.
25. 3 June 2011 Serravalle, San Marino   San Marino 1–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
26. 2 September 2011 Helsinki, Finland   Moldova 4–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
27. 23 January 2013 Chiang Mai, Thailand   Thailand 3–1 2013 King's Cup
28.
29. 26 March 2013 Luxembourg, Luxembourg   Luxembourg 3–0 Friendly

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Mikael Forssell". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland). Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  3. ^ Mikael Forssell HJK:n A-junioreiden valmentajaksi, hjk.fi, 13 September 2019
  4. ^ Von Holthaus, Marius (12 August 2008). "Mikael Forssell, der Fußballstar aus Steinfurt" (in German). Münstersche Zeitung. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Chelsea FC squad 1998–1999". en.eufo.de. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  6. ^ . Helsingin Sanomat. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  7. ^ Tongue, Steve (4 February 1999). "Football: Oxford buried by Forssell". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  8. ^ a b Barker, Kelvin. "Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 1)". Football Heroes. Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  9. ^ "Mikael Forssell". Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 e.V. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Mikael Forssell". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  11. ^ White, Clive (16 February 2002). "Forssell is hungry for action". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Forssell joins Mönchengladbach fight". UEFA. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  13. ^ Arnhold, Matthias (28 May 2020). "Mikael Forssell - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  14. ^ Luckings, Steve (2 April 2004). "Forssell scoops player award". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  15. ^ "Birmingham 4–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 27 March 2004. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  16. ^ "Mikael is the fans' choice". Birmingham Evening Mail. 6 May 2007. p. 87 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  17. ^ "Forssell to miss six months". The Guardian. 23 September 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Summary of Season 2004–05". bounder.friardale.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  19. ^ "Chelsea 4–2 Bayern Munich". BBC Sport. 6 April 2005. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  20. ^ Barker, Kelvin. "Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 2)". Football Heroes. Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  21. ^ Blues set to seal £3.5m deal for hero Mikael, birminghammail.co.uk, 10 June 2005
  22. ^ "Mikael Forssell routs Spurs". The Sunday Times. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  23. ^ Tattum, Colin (16 May 2008). "Birmingham City begin contract talks with Mikael Forssell". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  24. ^ . Birmingham City F.C. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  25. ^ "Forssell completes Hannover deal". BBC Sport. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  26. ^ "Forssell scores 10 goals on Hannover debut". ESPN Soccernet. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  27. ^ . West Ham United F.C. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  28. ^ "Forssell has his trial extended by Grayson". Yorkshire Evening Post. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  29. ^ "Leeds United sign striker Mikael Forssell for the season". BBC Sport. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  30. ^ "McCormack seals United victory". Leeds United A.F.C. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  31. ^ "United slip out of Cup". Leeds United A.F.C. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  32. ^ "ELEVEN TOLD THEY CAN GO". Leeds United A.F.C. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  33. ^ (in Finnish). HJK. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  34. ^ "Miklu palaa kotiin" (in Finnish). HJK. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  35. ^ "Hyökkäys vahvistuu – Mikael Forssell siirtyy IFK:hon" (in Finnish). HIFK Fotboll. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Mikael Forssell lopettaa pelaajauransa – "Olen koko elämäni pelännyt tätä hetkeä, mutta nyt on sen aika"" (in Finnish). Yle Urheilu. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  37. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (28 May 2020). "Mikael Forssell - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  38. ^ "Kun Jari Litmanen ja Mikael Forssell tulivat vaihtoon, Suomi joutui vaikeuksiin" (in Finnish). Urheiluviikko. 22 February 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  39. ^ Collins, Roy (4 June 2001). "Germans much less than perfect". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  40. ^ "Euro 2012 Qualifier: Finland 8–0 San Marino: Hat-Trick Hero Mikael Forssell Fires Hosts To Emphatic Win". Goal.com. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  41. ^ "Tämän kaunottaren Mikael Forssell kihlasi - katso kuva!". Seiska (in Finnish). 28 August 2013.
  42. ^ "Mikael Forssellille perheenlisäystä: "Elämäni suurin asia"". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 6 May 2014.
  43. ^ "Metti ja Mikael Forssellin poika sai isänsä nimen – julkaisivat suloisia ristiäiskuvia". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 4 September 2016.
  44. ^ "Finland vs Norway, 16 August 2000".
  45. ^ "Nordic Championship 2000-01".
  46. ^ "Mikael Forssell: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  47. ^ a b "Forssell, Mikael" (in Finnish). Veikkausliiga. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  48. ^ a b c d e "Mikael Forssell: Club matches". worldfootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  49. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  51. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  52. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  55. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  56. ^ "Mikael Forssell: Steckbrief 2002/03" [Mikael Forssell: Profile 2002/03]. kicker (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  57. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  58. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  59. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  60. ^ "Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  61. ^ a b c d e "M. Forssell". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  62. ^ For Suomen Cup 5th round: [HJK Men: Matches: Suomen Cup: HJK – FF Jaro] (in Finnish). HJK. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013.
  63. ^ For Suomen Cup 5th round: "FC Honka Akatemia – HJK (Miesten Respect Suomen Cup)". Suomen Palloliitto. Retrieved 15 October 2021.

External links edit

  • Mikael Forssell – UEFA competition record ()
  • FIFA competition record (archived)
  • Mikael Forssell at Soccerway
  • Mikael Forssell at Soccerbase  
  • at the Wayback Machine (archived 2013-03-13) (in Finnish)
  • Mikael Forssell at ESPN FC

mikael, forssell, mikael, forssell, born, march, 1981, finnish, former, professional, footballer, played, striker, after, playing, career, also, worked, coach, forssell, during, birmingham, city, season, tour, 2004personal, informationfull, namemikael, forssel. Mikael Kaj Forssell born 15 March 1981 is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a striker 2 After his playing career he has also worked as a coach 3 Mikael ForssellForssell during Birmingham City s pre season tour 2004Personal informationFull nameMikael Kaj Forssell 1 Date of birth 1981 03 15 15 March 1981 age 43 1 Place of birthSteinfurt West GermanyHeight1 84 m 6 ft 0 in 2 Position s StrikerYouth career1994 1997HJKSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1997 1998HJK17 1 1998 2005Chelsea33 5 2000 Crystal Palace loan 13 3 2000 2001 Crystal Palace loan 39 13 2003 Borussia Monchengladbach loan 12 7 2003 2004 Birmingham City loan 32 17 2004 2005 Birmingham City loan 4 0 2005 2008Birmingham City65 13 2008 2011Hannover 9644 7 2011 2012Leeds United15 0 2012 2014HJK44 21 2014 2015VfL Bochum16 3 2016HJK19 3 2017HIFK25 8 Total383 101 International career1999 2014Finland87 29 Managerial career2019 HJK youth Medal record HJK Helsinki Winner Finnish League Cup 1997 Winner Veikkausliiga 1997 Winner Finnish League Cup 1998 Winner Finnish Cup 1998 Winner Veikkausliiga 2013 Birmingham City Runner up Football League Championship 2007 Club domestic league appearances and goals Forssell began his professional career in 1997 for HJK having progressed through the team s youth teams but he only remained at the club for a single season making 17 league appearances before he moved to England to join Chelsea in 1998 He never broke into the Chelsea team making 33 league appearances in seven years and spent two loan spells at Crystal Palace one at Borussia Monchengladbach and two at Birmingham City He switched permanently to the latter club in 2005 but injury problems restricted him to 65 league appearances in three seasons He joined German side Hannover 96 in July 2008 on a free transfer but once again struggled with form and injury problems and he left the club in 2011 having made 44 league appearances This was followed by an unsuccessful season back in England this time with Leeds United 15 league games failed to yield a single goal Forssell returned to HJK in October 2012 Forssell made his full international debut for Finland in 1999 and was a regular player for his country for the next 15 years He earned 87 caps for his country and scored 29 goals making him Finland s sixth most capped player and second highest goalscorer Contents 1 Club career 1 1 Chelsea 1 2 Birmingham City 1 3 Hannover 96 1 4 Leeds United 1 5 Return to HJK 1 6 HIFK and retirement 2 International career 3 Personal life 4 Honours 5 Career statistics 5 1 Club career 5 2 International 6 References 7 External linksClub career editBorn in Steinfurt 4 Germany and considered one of the most talented Finnish footballers of all time Forssell made his Veikkausliiga debut for HJK at the age of just 16 2 Chelsea edit His goal scoring form for Finland s youth teams made him a target for a host of Europe s top clubs and in 1998 the 17 year old striker was snapped up by Chelsea 5 who at the time were managed by Gianluca Vialli He made his debut as a substitute in a league game against Arsenal in January 1999 6 and then three days later Forssell made his first start for the club when he scored two goals against Oxford United in the FA Cup 7 His first league goal came three weeks later when he scored against Nottingham Forest 8 However when Chelsea signed Chris Sutton for 10 million Forssell was loaned out twice to Crystal Palace 9 of the then First Division scoring 16 league goals in just over 50 appearances 10 Forssell found it hard to find a place in the Chelsea first team with Gianfranco Zola Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Tore Andre Flo and Eidur Gudjohnsen who were all ahead of him in the pecking order 8 After initially impressing new manager Claudio Ranieri scoring in four consecutive games 11 he was sent out on loan again and had spells at Borussia Monchengladbach 12 of the German Bundesliga 13 and twice to Birmingham City of the Premier League Forssell scored seven Bundesliga goals for Monchengladbach in the spring of 2003 and then 17 Premier League goals for Birmingham in the 2003 04 season more league goals than any other Chelsea player during which he was the division s fifth highest goalscorer He was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 2004 14 a month in which he scored twice in a 4 1 win against Leeds United 15 and won Birmingham s Player of the Year award 16 He returned to Birmingham on loan for the 2004 05 season but suffered the second serious knee injury of his career 17 He returned to Chelsea to recuperate and made occasional appearances for Chelsea that season 18 playing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League 19 and in the last home match against Charlton Athletic as Chelsea celebrated winning their first top flight title for 50 years 20 Birmingham City edit In the summer of 2005 Forssell joined Birmingham on a three year deal for a fee of 3 5 million 21 after Chelsea decided that he did not figure in their long term plans He struggled in the 2005 06 season not having found his best form after his injury and could not save Birmingham from relegation Forssell suffered another cruel injury blow to his other knee during training in October 2006 This left him on the sidelines until he returned to training in February 2007 after undergoing operations on both knees He remained at Birmingham to have another go at resurrecting his career His 2007 08 pre season performances were good he scored five goals in five games His manager Steve Bruce was enthusiastic about his return to form He continued his good form into the start of the season scoring the opening goal of the match against Chelsea and consolidating his good form with two assists in the next three matches He scored his first hat trick at club level on 1 March 2008 in the 4 1 win over Tottenham Hotspur a so called perfect hat trick one goal scored with the left foot one with the right and one with the head 22 In his final season at Birmingham he finished the season as their top scorer with nine goals as the club were relegated from the Premier League 23 Hannover 96 edit In May 2008 following the club s relegation from Premier League Forssell signed a pre contract agreement to join Hannover 96 on a free transfer when his Birmingham contract expired at the end of June His contract with Hannover ran out at the end of the 2010 11 season 24 25 On his pre season debut for Hannover he scored 10 goals including an eight minute hat trick in one friendly game against amateurs FC Boffzen The game ended up as a 23 0 win 26 Leeds United edit After leaving Hannover when his contract expired at the end of the 2010 11 season Forssell had trials with clubs including West Ham United 27 and Leeds United 28 of the English Football League Championship second tier On 8 September he returned from international duty with Finland to sign a contract with Leeds until the end of the 2011 12 season 29 Forssell was handed the number 18 shirt and took his place on the bench two days later against his former club Crystal Palace He came on as a second half substitute to make his Leeds debut and assisted Ross McCormack for their winning goal in a 3 2 victory 30 He came on as a substitute against fierce rivals Manchester United in a 3 0 League Cup defeat 31 After mainly being used as a substitute and failing to score a single goal for Leeds Forssell was told by Neil Warnock that his one year contract wouldn t be renewed at the end of the 2011 12 season and that he would be released from the club at the expiry of his contract 32 Return to HJK edit On 29 October 2012 it was announced that Forssell would be returning to Finland after spending 14 years abroad signing a two year contract with his former club HJK 33 On 22 April 2013 Forssell opened the scoring by a header in a 2 0 away win over rivals Honka He finished the season with 14 league goals the club s top goalscorer as HJK won their fifth consecutive championship After a stint with German side VfL Bochum Forssell rejoined HJK on 3 March 2016 34 HIFK and retirement edit On 10 April 2017 Forssell signed a contract for one year with HIFK 35 Forssell announced his retirement in May 2018 36 International career editForssell was a regular for the Finnish national team for most of the 2000s He played his first match for Finland on 9 June 1999 against Moldova and scored his first goal on 28 February 2001 against Luxembourg 37 He often partnered Jari Litmanen 38 Forssell also played for Finland in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship Forssell scored twice against Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier the match ended 2 2 39 Forssell scored two hat tricks for Finland On 7 September 2005 in Tampere he scored three goals against FYR Macedonia in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup On 17 November 2010 Forssell scored three of Finland s eight goals against San Marino in the Euro 2012 qualifying 40 Personal life editForssell s older sister Christina Forssell fi was also a footballer who played for HJK and Finland On 23 August 2013 Forssell married Metti Lukkarila 41 the couple have Lilia born in May 2014 42 and Lucas Mikael born in August 2016 43 Honours editHJK Helsinki Veikkausliiga 1997 2013 citation needed Finnish Cup 1998 citation needed Finnish League Cup 1998 citation needed Finland Nordic Football Championship 2000 01 44 45 Individual Premier League Player of the Month March 2004 46 Career statistics editClub career edit Appearances and goals by club season and competition Club Season League National Cup a League Cup b Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals HJK 1997 47 Veikkausliiga 1 0 0 0 1 0 1998 47 48 Veikkausliiga 16 1 4 c 0 20 1 Total 17 1 4 0 21 1 Chelsea 1998 99 49 FA Premier League 10 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 13 3 1999 2000 50 FA Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 c 0 2 0 2001 02 51 FA Premier League 22 4 6 3 4 2 3 d 0 35 9 2002 03 52 FA Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003 04 53 FA Premier League 0 0 1 c 0 1 0 2004 05 54 FA Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 c 0 2 0 Total 33 5 9 5 5 2 6 0 53 12 Crystal Palace loan 1999 2000 50 First Division 13 3 0 0 0 0 13 3 2000 01 55 First Division 39 13 2 0 8 2 49 15 Total 52 16 2 0 8 2 62 18 Borussia Monchengladbach loan 2002 03 56 Bundesliga 16 7 16 7 Birmingham City loan 2003 04 53 FA Premier League 32 17 4 2 1 0 37 19 2004 05 54 FA Premier League 4 0 0 0 4 0 Birmingham City 2005 06 57 FA Premier League 27 3 5 3 3 2 35 8 2006 07 58 Championship 8 1 0 0 2 0 10 1 2007 08 59 Premier League 30 9 1 0 1 0 32 9 Total 101 30 10 5 7 2 118 37 Hannover 96 2008 09 48 Bundesliga 30 7 1 0 31 7 2009 10 48 Bundesliga 2 0 1 0 3 0 2010 11 48 Bundesliga 12 0 1 0 13 0 Total 44 7 3 0 47 7 Hannover 96 II 2009 10 48 Regionalliga Nord 1 0 1 0 Leeds United 2011 12 60 Championship 15 0 1 0 1 0 17 0 HJK 2013 61 62 Veikkausliiga 27 14 2 0 5 3 2 c 0 36 17 2014 61 Veikkausliiga 17 7 1 0 5 4 1 c 0 24 11 Total 44 21 3 0 10 7 3 0 60 28 VfL Bochum 2014 15 61 2 Bundesliga 16 3 1 0 17 3 HJK 2016 61 63 Veikkausliiga 19 3 4 2 0 0 1 e 0 24 5 HIFK 2017 61 Veikkausliiga 26 8 0 0 2 f 0 28 8 Career total 384 101 33 12 31 13 16 0 464 126 Includes Finnish Cup FA Cup DFB Pokal Includes Finnish League Cup Football League Cup EFL Cup Ligapokal a b c d e f Appearance s in UEFA Champions League Appearance s in UEFA Cup Appearance in UEFA Europa League Appearance in relegation play off International edit As of 9 March 2016 10 Appearances and goals by national team and year Finland national team Year Apps Goals 1999 1 0 2000 7 0 2001 9 6 2002 2 1 2003 9 4 2004 3 1 2005 7 3 2006 6 1 2007 7 1 2008 8 1 2009 6 1 2010 7 5 2011 9 2 2012 0 0 2013 5 3 2014 1 0 Total 87 29 International goalsFinland s score given first As of 26 March 2013 2 Mikael Forssell international goals Date Location Opponent Result Competition 1 28 February 2001 Luxembourg Luxembourg nbsp Luxembourg 1 0 Friendly 2 2 June 2001 Helsinki Finland nbsp Germany 2 2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 3 4 15 August 2001 Helsinki Finland nbsp Belgium 4 1 Friendly 5 5 September 2001 Helsinki Finland nbsp Greece 5 1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 6 7 27 March 2002 Porto Portugal nbsp Portugal 4 1 Friendly 8 30 April 2003 Vantaa Finland nbsp Iceland 3 0 Friendly 9 7 June 2003 Helsinki Finland nbsp Serbia and Montenegro 3 0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying 10 10 September 2003 Cardiff Wales nbsp Wales 1 1 Euro 2004 qualifying 11 11 October 2003 Tampere Finland nbsp Canada 3 2 Friendly 12 8 September 2004 Jerevan Armenia nbsp Armenia 2 0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 13 7 September 2005 Tampere Finland nbsp Macedonia 5 1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 14 15 16 1 March 2006 Larnaka Cyprus nbsp Belarus 2 2 Friendly 17 17 November 2007 Helsinki Finland nbsp Azerbaijan 2 1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying 18 11 October 2008 Helsinki Finland nbsp Azerbaijan 1 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 19 6 June 2009 Helsinki Finland nbsp Liechtenstein 2 1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 20 7 September 2010 Rotterdam Netherlands nbsp Netherlands 1 2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 21 12 October 2010 Helsinki Finland nbsp Hungary 1 2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 22 17 November 2010 Helsinki Finland nbsp San Marino 8 0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 23 24 25 3 June 2011 Serravalle San Marino nbsp San Marino 1 0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 26 2 September 2011 Helsinki Finland nbsp Moldova 4 1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 27 23 January 2013 Chiang Mai Thailand nbsp Thailand 3 1 2013 King s Cup 28 29 26 March 2013 Luxembourg Luxembourg nbsp Luxembourg 3 0 FriendlyReferences edit a b Mikael Forssell Barry Hugman s Footballers Retrieved 13 October 2017 a b c d Mikael Forssell in Finnish Suomen Palloliitto Football Association of Finland Archived from the original on 3 August 2013 Retrieved 11 June 2013 Mikael Forssell HJK n A junioreiden valmentajaksi hjk fi 13 September 2019 Von Holthaus Marius 12 August 2008 Mikael Forssell der Fussballstar aus Steinfurt in German Munstersche Zeitung Retrieved 30 May 2011 Chelsea FC squad 1998 1999 en eufo de Retrieved 26 May 2012 Factfile Mikael Forssell striker Helsingin Sanomat Archived from the original on 27 October 2014 Retrieved 2 June 2012 Tongue Steve 4 February 1999 Football Oxford buried by Forssell The Independent Archived from the original on 14 May 2022 Retrieved 8 August 2012 a b Barker Kelvin Mikael Forssell Biography part 1 Football Heroes Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd Retrieved 23 September 2011 Mikael Forssell Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896 e V Archived from the original on 6 February 2013 Retrieved 8 September 2012 a b Mikael Forssell National Football Teams Benjamin Strack Zimmermann Retrieved 13 October 2017 White Clive 16 February 2002 Forssell is hungry for action The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 31 January 2013 Forssell joins Monchengladbach fight UEFA 30 January 2003 Retrieved 26 March 2013 Arnhold Matthias 28 May 2020 Mikael Forssell Matches and Goals in Bundesliga RSSSF com Retrieved 29 May 2020 Luckings Steve 2 April 2004 Forssell scoops player award Sky Sports Retrieved 17 October 2008 Birmingham 4 1 Leeds BBC Sport 27 March 2004 Retrieved 23 September 2011 Mikael is the fans choice Birmingham Evening Mail 6 May 2007 p 87 via Gale OneFile News Forssell to miss six months The Guardian 23 September 2004 Retrieved 24 August 2020 Summary of Season 2004 05 bounder friardale co uk Retrieved 20 October 2013 Chelsea 4 2 Bayern Munich BBC Sport 6 April 2005 Retrieved 16 October 2013 Barker Kelvin Mikael Forssell Biography part 2 Football Heroes Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd Retrieved 23 September 2011 Blues set to seal 3 5m deal for hero Mikael birminghammail co uk 10 June 2005 Mikael Forssell routs Spurs The Sunday Times 2 March 2008 Retrieved 2 March 2008 Tattum Colin 16 May 2008 Birmingham City begin contract talks with Mikael Forssell Birmingham Mail Retrieved 23 September 2011 Alex wishes Forss well Birmingham City F C 2 June 2008 Archived from the original on 4 November 2008 Retrieved 2 June 2008 Forssell completes Hannover deal BBC Sport 30 May 2008 Retrieved 30 May 2008 Forssell scores 10 goals on Hannover debut ESPN Soccernet 12 July 2008 Retrieved 30 May 2010 Sam ready for Saturday West Ham United F C 29 July 2011 Archived from the original on 29 September 2012 Retrieved 30 July 2011 Forssell has his trial extended by Grayson Yorkshire Evening Post 19 August 2011 Retrieved 19 August 2011 Leeds United sign striker Mikael Forssell for the season BBC Sport 8 September 2011 Retrieved 23 September 2011 McCormack seals United victory Leeds United A F C 10 September 2011 Retrieved 23 September 2011 United slip out of Cup Leeds United A F C 20 September 2011 Retrieved 23 September 2011 ELEVEN TOLD THEY CAN GO Leeds United A F C 2 May 2012 Retrieved 2 May 2012 Forssell palaa vahvistamaan mestaria in Finnish HJK 29 October 2012 Archived from the original on 2 November 2013 Retrieved 29 October 2012 Miklu palaa kotiin in Finnish HJK 3 March 2016 Retrieved 3 March 2016 Hyokkays vahvistuu Mikael Forssell siirtyy IFK hon in Finnish HIFK Fotboll 10 April 2017 Retrieved 31 May 2018 Mikael Forssell lopettaa pelaajauransa Olen koko elamani pelannyt tata hetkea mutta nyt on sen aika in Finnish Yle Urheilu 12 May 2018 Retrieved 31 May 2018 Mamrud Roberto 28 May 2020 Mikael Forssell Goals in International Matches RSSSF com Retrieved 29 May 2020 Kun Jari Litmanen ja Mikael Forssell tulivat vaihtoon Suomi joutui vaikeuksiin in Finnish Urheiluviikko 22 February 2009 Retrieved 24 September 2011 Collins Roy 4 June 2001 Germans much less than perfect The Guardian London Retrieved 25 November 2016 Euro 2012 Qualifier Finland 8 0 San Marino Hat Trick Hero Mikael Forssell Fires Hosts To Emphatic Win Goal com 17 November 2010 Retrieved 29 February 2012 Taman kaunottaren Mikael Forssell kihlasi katso kuva Seiska in Finnish 28 August 2013 Mikael Forssellille perheenlisaysta Elamani suurin asia Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish 6 May 2014 Metti ja Mikael Forssellin poika sai isansa nimen julkaisivat suloisia ristiaiskuvia Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 4 September 2016 Finland vs Norway 16 August 2000 Nordic Championship 2000 01 Mikael Forssell Overview Premier League Retrieved 28 September 2018 a b Forssell Mikael in Finnish Veikkausliiga Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b c d e Mikael Forssell Club matches worldfootball net HeimSpiel Medien Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 1998 1999 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b Games played by Mikael Forssell in 1999 2000 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2001 2002 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2002 2003 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2003 2004 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2003 2004 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2000 2001 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Mikael Forssell Steckbrief 2002 03 Mikael Forssell Profile 2002 03 kicker in German Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2005 2006 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2006 2007 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2007 2008 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 Games played by Mikael Forssell in 2011 2012 Soccerbase Centurycomm Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b c d e M Forssell Soccerway Perform Group Retrieved 15 October 2021 For Suomen Cup 5th round HJK Miehet Ottelut Suomen Cup HJK FF Jaro HJK Men Matches Suomen Cup HJK FF Jaro in Finnish HJK Archived from the original on 30 September 2013 For Suomen Cup 5th round FC Honka Akatemia HJK Miesten Respect Suomen Cup Suomen Palloliitto Retrieved 15 October 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mikael Forssell Mikael Forssell UEFA competition record archive Mikael Forssell FIFA competition record archived Mikael Forssell at Soccerway Mikael Forssell at Soccerbase nbsp Profile at FA of Finland s official website at the Wayback Machine archived 2013 03 13 in Finnish Mikael Forssell at ESPN FC Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mikael Forssell amp oldid 1217471425, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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