Mikael Forssell

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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)
2000 → Crystal Palace (loan) 13 (3)
2000–2001 → Crystal Palace (loan) 39 (13)
2003 → Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan) 12 (7)
2003–2004 → Birmingham City (loan) 32 (17)
2004–2005 → Birmingham 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
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

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]

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 "Mikael Forssell" (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. ^ "Factfile: Mikael Forssell, striker". 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. ^ "Alex wishes Forss well". 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. ^ "Sam ready for Saturday". 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. ^ "Forssell palaa vahvistamaan mestaria" (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 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.
  63. ^ For Suomen Cup 5th round: "FC Honka Akatemia – HJK (Miesten Respect Suomen Cup)". Suomen Palloliitto. Retrieved 15 October 2021.

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