Veikkausliiga transfers 2017

Due to the fact that the transfer window is more or less always open here this would be a never-ending story,
so I decided to give you an overview of what is going on now, and links to more detailed sources. Hope it is ok?

Playerdatabase, Transfermarkt and local fan forum FF2 should be more up to date.

This site is an excellent place for detailed info of 2016, Minor Soccer League.

At the moment January 19th the overview is about like this:

MIFK lost 3 key players gk Viitala, mf Assis and striker Orgill. All in all MIFK used only 16 players last season and were lucky to avoid injuries, so far their only signing is an striker from MLS/USL , Lucky Mkosama. Edit, mf Robbie Sellin also introduced, might be good.

Verdict: MIFK not going to repeat last season's success. 3-6.


HJK is once again changing quite a lot. There are some good new defenders Obilor and Patronen, but on the other hand all wingers have gone. Top striker Morelos also likely to be sold and need to be replaced.

Verdict: Far from ready but always a favourite to do well and win stuff.

SJK had and do have a strong squad, but there are some holes now too as a few players changed to Ilves, top striker Riski is on loan at a low level German side and one important midfielder retired.

Verdict: No worries, but perhaps need a high profile striker, or perhaps not as there are good kids. Top-2.

VPS over- achieved last season are there were really not that many key players. However some of them have left, gk Kobozev and cb Boxall.  Most of the leaving players are not missed.  A lot of VPS success was down to good coaching and a bit of luck.

Verdict: Can not see them in top-3, they were the most boring team to follow last season and that is likely to continue as they tend to pass the ball on their own half for hours. 6-8.

Ilves did lose their top winger Soisalo to Middlesbrough, but there are some new faces who bring something new - and depth at least - to the squad. Good cd Tanska, all-round handyman Penninkangas and occasionally effective striker Tuco.

Verdict: Top-6.

RoPS are one the losers at the transfer markets and lack of funds shows in the signings. Losing top scorer Kokko in the middle of last season was however the biggest blow. RoPS lost 5 regular starters, and from the signings I would not except a lot apart from striker Tukiainen who finally can show if he can make it in Veikkausliiga, and I think he can if the midfield can feed him.

Bottom half.

KuPS are of the most interesting clubs this season, mostly because of managerial change as the gone Rajamäki was a poor tactician. New guy Honkavaara (HIFK) was early out there to sign the names he wanted, and even if they are not the biggest household names this might actually work. Not sure about the keeper situation though, Otso Virtanen did not get any playing time at Hibernians and I am afraid there is a reason for it.

Verdict: Top half unless keeper problems arise big time.

Lahti. Blah... mediocrity, bad Brazilian signings and a manager who has yet to earn my trust. Another club needing a keeper since the Russian one is gone. Latest signing mf Helmke has been a top player in this league before and he might do some difference, or not. He has not played for a veeeeery long time at all.

Verdict: 8th or so.

PS Kemi. Biggest losers so far, a lot of new faces in and it has taken a lot of imagination to handpick them. The latest cb Kaljumäe from Levadia has the highest profile.

Verdict: Would be automatically relegated unless there was JJK. Relegation play-off then.

HIFK. A combination of a few top players and a dozen of kids who will not be let to play. In most parts you might call it unchanged since last season. Lack of money a big hindrance to build the team, but they might get old timer Mikael Forssell cheap as he is no longer wanted at HJK.

Verdict: Will survive because of Kemi and JJK.

Inter Turku. Winners of the silly season but still a few players - like a cb - needed, and the presence of Shefki Kuqi at the managerial seat always kind of a time bomb. Faubert, Furuholm, Mäkitalo all top signings and the fiasco of 2016 will be quickly forgotten.

Verdict: Might be top-4, but nothing would surprise with Kuqi, Kuqi, Faubert, Furuholm..

JJK They were a rather weak side to win Ykkönen and promotion, and some of their key players already gone and unreplaced. Half the starting 11 need to be replaced if they want to dream of survival in the league.

Verdict: Gone. Bye.