Janne Saarinen

Janne Johannes Saarinen (born February 28, 1977 in Espoo) is a Finnish footballer who plays for BK Häcken of Sweden.

Saarinen started his career as a promising attacking midfielder at HJK Helsinki, making his Veikkausliiga debut in 1993. In 1997 he moved to Swedish giants IFK Göteborg, but never made a breakthrough partly because of injuries. After two years he returned to HJK, where he was converted to a left back by the then coach Jyrki Heliskoski. He impressed in his new position, earning a move to Norwegian giants Rosenborg in 2001. In 2003 Saarinen moved to 1860 München of the German Bundesliga, but he wasn't successful there, moving to Danish giants FC København in 2004. Saarinen returned to Finland with home-town club FC Honka for the 2006 season, stating he wants to play in a more attacking role once more. In 2008 Saarinen will represent BK Häcken in Sweden.

Saarinen made his debut for the Finnish national team on August 16, 2000 against Norway. He has been Finland's first choice left back for the most of 2000s, but is unlikely to do so in the near future if he doesn't play regularly in that position for his club.

Clubs

*1993-96 HJK Helsinki flagicon|Finland
*1997-98 IFK Göteborg flagicon|Sweden
*1999-2000 HJK Helsinki flagicon|Finland
*2001-03 Rosenborg BK flagicon|Norway
*2003-04 TSV 1860 München flagicon|Germany
*2004-06 FC København flagicon|Denmark
*2006-07 FC Honka flagicon|Finland
*2008- BK Häcken flagicon|Sweden

Honours

*Finnish Cup: 1993, 1996, 2000
*Norwegian Championship: 2001, 2002
*Royal League: 2004-05

External links

* [http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten_a-maajoukkue/pelaajat/saarinen_janne/ Profile at FA of Finland's official website]
* [http://www.fchonka.fi/indexen.php?page=22 Profile at FC Honka's official website]