- Mikael Forssell
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Mikael Forssell 
During Birmingham City's pre-season tour, 2004Personal information Full name Mikael Kaj Forssell Date of birth 15 March 1981 Place of birth Steinfurt, West Germany Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Playing position Striker Club information Current club Leeds United Number 18 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– Leeds United 5 (0) National team‡ 1999– Finland 81 (26) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:42, 21 November 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11:11, 16 November 2011 (UTC)Mikael Kaj Forssell (born 15 March 1981) is a Finnish footballer who plays as a striker for Football League Championship team Leeds United[1] and for the Finnish national team.[2]
Contents
Club career
Born in Steinfurt,[3] 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
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 who at the time were managed by Gianluca Vialli. He made his debut as a substitute against Arsenal and then three days later, Forssell made his start for the club when he scored two goals against Oxford United. His first league goal came three weeks later, when he scored against Nottingham Forest.[4] However, when Chelsea signed Chris Sutton for £10 million, Forssell was loaned out twice to Crystal Palace of the then First Division, scoring 16 league goals in just over 50 appearances.
Forssell found it hard to find a place in the Chelsea first team with Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Tore Andre Flo and Eidur Gudjohnson, who were all ahead of him in the pecking order.[4] After initially impressing new manager Claudio Ranieri scoring in four consecutive games, he was sent out on loan again and had spells at Borussia Mönchengladbach of the German Bundesliga 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 joint fourth highest goalscorer. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 2004,[5] a month in which he scored twice in a 4–1 win against Leeds United.[6] He finished the season with 17 Premier League goals for Birmingham.
He returned to Birmingham on loan for the 2004–05 season, but suffered the second serious knee injury of his career. He returned to Chelsea to recuperate, and made occasional appearances for Chelsea that season, playing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and in the last home match, against Charlton Athletic, as Chelsea celebrated winning their first top-flight title for 50 years.[7]
Birmingham City
In the summer of 2005, Forssell joined Birmingham on a three-year deal for a fee of £3 million, 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 was set to take a medical at Hamburger SV, but it was reported that he failed.[citation needed] 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.[8] 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.[9]
Hannover 96
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.[10][11]
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.[12]
Leeds United
After leaving Hannover when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season, Forssell had trials with clubs including West Ham United[13] and Leeds United[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] He came on as a substitute against fierce rivals Manchester United in a 3–0 League Cup defeat.[17]
International career
Forssell has been 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. He has often partnered Jari Litmanen[18]. Forssell also played for Finland in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Forssell has 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.
Career statistics
International goals
Finland's score given first. As of 2 September 2011.[2]
Mikael Forssell international goals # Date Location Opponent Result Competition 1. 28 February 2001 Luxembourg (city), Luxembourg 
Luxembourg1–0 Friendly 2. 2 June 2001 Helsinki, Finland 
Germany2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 2 June 2001 Helsinki, Finland Germany2–2 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. 15 August 2001 Helsinki, Finland 
Belgium4–1 Friendly 5. 5 September 2001 Helsinki, Finland 
Greece5–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 6. 5 September 2001 Helsinki, Finland Greece5–1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 7. 27 March 2002 Porto, Portugal 
Portugal4–1 Friendly 8. 30 April 2003 Vantaa, Finland 
Iceland3–0 Friendly 9. 7 June 2003 Helsinki, Finland 
Serbia and Montenegro3–0 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying 10. 10 September 2003 Cardiff, Wales 
Wales1–1 Euro 2004 qualifying 11. 11 October 2003 Tampere, Finland 
Canada3–2 Friendly 12. 8 September 2004 Jerevan, Armenia 
Armenia2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 13. 7 September 2005 Tampere, Finland 
Macedonia5–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 14. 7 September 2005 Tampere, Finland Macedonia5–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 15. 7 September 2005 Tampere, Finland Macedonia5–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 16. 1 March 2006 Larnaka, Belarus 
Belarus2–2 Friendly 17. 17 November 2007 Helsinki, Finland 
Azerbaijan2–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying 18. 11 October 2008 Helsinki, Finland Azerbaijan1–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 19. 6 June 2009 Helsinki, Finland 
Liechtenstein2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 20. 7 September 2010 Rotterdam, Netherlands 
Netherlands1–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 21. 12 October 2010 Helsinki, Finland 
Hungary1–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 22. 17 November 2010 Helsinki, Finland 
San Marino8–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 23. 17 November 2010 Helsinki, Finland San Marino8–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 24. 17 November 2010 Helsinki, Finland San Marino8–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 25. 3 June 2011 Serravalle, San Marino San Marino1–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying 26. 2 September 2011 Helsinki, Finland 
Moldova4–1 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying International
- As of 16 November 2011[19]
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 Total 81 26 References
- ^ "Leeds United sign striker Mikael Forssell for the season". BBC Sport. 8 September 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14845940.stm. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ a b c "Forssell Mikael" (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto (Football Association of Finland). http://www.palloliitto.fi/maajoukkueet/miesten_a-maajoukkue/pelaajat/forssell_mikael/. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
- ^ Von Holthaus, Marius (12 August 2008). "Mikael Forssell, der Fußballstar aus Steinfurt". Münstersche Zeitung. http://www.muensterschezeitung.de/lokales/steinfurt/lokalsport/Mikael-Forssell-der-Fussballstar-aus-Steinfurt;art1003,330441. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ a b Barker, Kelvin. "Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 1)". Football Heroes. Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=36809. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ Luckings, Steve (2 April 2004). "Forssell scoops player award". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_2295327,00.html. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ "Birmingham 4–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 27 March 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3552889.stm. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ Barker, Kelvin. "Mikael Forssell: Biography (part 2)". Football Heroes. Sporting Heroes Collection Ltd. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=36810. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Mikael Forssell routs Spurs". The Sunday Times. 2 March 2008. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/birmingham/article3466741.ece. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
- ^ Tattum, Colin (16 May 2008). "Birmingham City begin contract talks with Mikael Forssell". Birmingham Mail. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2008/05/16/birmingham-city-begin-contract-talks-with-mikael-forssell-97319-20922760/. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Alex wishes Forss well". Birmingham City F.C. 2 June 2008. http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1321534,00.html. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- ^ "Forssell completes Hannover deal". BBC Sport. 30 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7417549.stm. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
- ^ "Forssell scores 10 goals on Hannover debut.". ESPN Soccernet. 12 July 2008. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=554921&cc=5739. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ "Sam ready for Saturday". West Ham United F.C. 29 July 2011. http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110729/sam-ready-for-saturday_2236884_2405290. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "Forssell has his trial extended by Grayson". Yorkshire Evening Post. 19 August. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds_united_forssell_has_his_trial_extended_by_grayson_1_3694976. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
- ^ "Leeds United sign striker Mikael Forssell for the season". BBC Sport. 8 September 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14845940.stm. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "McCormack seals United victory". Leeds United A.F.C. 10 September 2011. http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110910/crystal-palace-live_2247585_2446651. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "United slip out of Cup". Leeds United A.F.C. 20 September 2011. http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110920/carling-cup-live_2247585_2457062. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Kun Jari Litmanen ja Mikael Forssell tulivat vaihtoon, Suomi joutui vaikeuksiin" (in Finnish). Urheiluviikko. 22 February 2009. http://www.urheiluviikko.net/kun-jari-litmanen-ja-mikael-forssell-tulivat-vaihtoon-suomi-joutui-vaikeuksiin/24972/. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=2426
External links
- Mikael Forssell – UEFA competition record
- Mikael Forssell on Twitter
- Profile at leedsunited.com
- Mikael Forssell career stats at Soccerbase
- Profile at FA of Finland's official website (Finnish)
- Profile at Birmingham City's official website
- Profile at ESPNsoccernet.com
Leeds United A.F.C. – current squad 1 Lonergan · 2 Connolly · 3 Kisnorbo · 4 Bruce · 5 O'Brien · 7 Väyrynen · 8 Brown · 10 Becchio · 11 Sam · 12 Rachubka · 14 Howson · 15 Clayton · 16 Pugh · 18 Forssell · 19 Parker · 20 Núñez · 21 McCarthy · 22 Lees · 23 Snodgrass · 26 Bromby · 27 Somma · 28 White · 29 Thompson · 30 Cairns · 31 Taylor · 32 L. Turner · 38 Keogh · 44 McCormack · 48 O'Dea · Manager: Grayson
Categories:- 1981 births
- Living people
- People from Steinfurt
- Birmingham City F.C. players
- Borussia Mönchengladbach players
- Chelsea F.C. players
- Crystal Palace F.C. players
- Finnish expatriate footballers
- Finnish expatriates in the United Kingdom
- Expatriate footballers in England
- Finnish expatriates in Germany
- Expatriate footballers in Germany
- Finnish footballers
- Finland international footballers
- Fußball-Bundesliga players
- Association football forwards
- Hannover 96 players
- Leeds United A.F.C. players
- Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi players
- Veikkausliiga players
- Premier League players
- Swedish-speaking Finns
- The Football League players
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