Mikael Forssell

Forssell during an autograph session (2004)

Mikael Kaj Forssell ( born March 15, 1981 in Steinfurt, Germany ) is a Finnish footballer, who currently stands at HJK Helsinki under contract.

Origin and childhood

Due to the occupation of the father of Finland Swede Mikael Forssell ( Münster / North Rhine -Westphalia) came in the German town of Steinfurt on the world before his family about a year later moved to Sweden.

Career

Association

He played his first professional league game at the age of 16 years for HJK Helsinki.

Since 1998, Forssell was at Chelsea under contract. His contract was originally set for June 30, 2007 Since 1999, Forssell regularly plays in the Finnish national football team and has since from Chelsea at Crystal Palace (1999-2001), at Borussia Moenchengladbach. ( February 2003 - June 2003) and Birmingham City ( August lent December 2004) - 2003.

During his time with Borussia Mönchengladbach scored Forssell for the club in 16 league games and seven goals were a major league at Gladbach. In 2003, he finished twelfth in the choice of Germany's Footballer of the Year.

In the summer of 2005 he was transferred for 4.5 million euro transfer fee to Birmingham City. A possible move to Hannover 96 for the season 2007/ 08 had fallen through because Birmingham did not like relinquishing his players. However, it succeeded Hannover 96, the player to commit to the 2008/09 season. He had not renewed his contract with Birmingham City and decided to return to the Bundesliga.

In the first test match after his return to Germany Forssell scored a 23:0 victory over Kreisligist Boffzen ten goals, including two hat-tricks ( within eight and six minutes). When his team's 5-1 victory against Borussia Moenchengladbach, on Matchday fourth of the season 2008/ 09, Forssell has achieved his first league goal for the Hanoverians. With seven goals in 30 games, he was next to Jiří Štajner most important offensive player of the season. The following year, however, he threw a lengthy ligament injury most of the season out of the race and with only two missions it was for the Finns a lost year. In the season 2010/11 he did not go back to his old form and was only a reserve player in the storm. Twelve substitutions as the Joker he managed a single goal. Mikael Forssell Hannover left end of the season after his June 30, 2011 expiring contract was not renewed.

A new employer found Forssell in the Football League Championship, the second English top flight, in the traditional club Leeds United.

Since October 2012 Forssell has returned to his boyhood club HJK Helsinki under contract, currently playing in the first Finnish league. He signed a contract until 31 December 2014.

National

His debut in the national team of Finland gave Forssell on 9 June 1999 against Moldova. Eighteen months later, he scored on 28 February 2001 his first goal in the national team against Luxembourg. Previously, he managed to qualify to the selection of his country for any important tournament.