Jussi Jääskeläinen
Personal information
Full name	Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen
Date of birth	19 April 1975 (1975-04-19) (age 34)
Place of birth	Mikkeli, Finland
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Bolton Wanderers
Number	22
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1992–1995 1996–1997 1997–	Mikkelin Palloilijat Vaasan Palloseura Bolton Wanderers	064 (0) 054 (0) 397 (0)
National team2
1998–2009	Finland	055 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:48, 22 November 2009 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 22:12, 30 October 2009 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen (born 19 April 1975 in Mikkeli, Southern Savonia) is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.

[edit] Club career

Jääskeläinen made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where he spent two seasons. Jääskeläinen was bought by Bolton Wanderers of the then First Division in 1997. He soon established himself as the club's first choice keeper, though a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for much of Bolton's 2000–2001 promotion season. The following season, he was voted the best goalkeeper in the Premiership by sponsors Barclaycard.

On 13 May 2007, Jääskeläinen received Bolton's "Player of the Year Award" and also the "Players' Player of the Year Award" after helping Bolton secure a UEFA Cup spot for only the second time in their history.^[1]Despite much speculation linking him with a move away from Bolton when his contract expired following the 2007–08 season, Jääskeläinen agreed a new four-year contract on 11 June,^[2] which he signed on 9 July.^[3]

His 400th appearance came against Manchester City on 2 November 2008, with his 400th start coming six days later against Hull City. After twelve years with the club, Jääskeläinen was granted a testimonial match against Hibernian in August 2009 in which he kept a clean sheet.^[4][5]

[edit] International career

Jääskeläinen made his debut for Finland on 25 March 1998 against Malta. He was Finland's second choice behind Antti Niemi for years, but after Niemi retired from international football in 2005, Jääskeläinen finally became the Finnish number one. On the 29 October 2009 Jääskeläinen announced his retirement from international football having collected 55 caps for his country. In explaining his decision Jääskeläinen stated that he hoped that it would allow him to prolong his club career.^[6] On 31 October 2009 retired from his national team career.^[7]

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Club

As at 22:57, 22 November 2009.

 * includes 2 play off matches 

[edit] Personal life

Jääskeläinen and his wife Tessa have lived in Bolton for 11 years and have three sons together: William aged 10, Emil aged 8 and a 3-year-old named Robin.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jussi Jääskeläinen FIFA competition record
• Jussi Jääskeläinen career stats at Soccerbase