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Mika Väyrynen

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For the musician, see Mika Väyrynen (accordionist).

Mika Väyrynen
Väyrynen in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-12-28) 28 December 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth Eskilstuna, Sweden
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 FC Lahti 36 (11)
2001 Jokerit 30 (4)
2001–2005 Heerenveen 101 (17)
2005–2008 PSV 29 (2)
2008–2011 Heerenveen 57 (11)
2011–2012 Leeds United 10 (0)
2012–2014 HJK 40 (5)
2015 LA Galaxy 19 (0)
2016–2017 HIFK 40 (0)
Total 362 (50)
International career‡
2002–2015 Finland 64 (5)
Managerial career
2018–2019 Klubi 04 (assistant)
2019–2020 HJK (assistant)
2021 Klubi 04
2024– Honka
Medal record
PSV
Winner Eredivisie 2006
Runner-up KNVB Cup 2006
Runner-up Johan Cruyff Shield 2006
Winner Eredivisie 2007
Runner-up Johan Cruyff Shield 2007
Winner Eredivisie 2008
Runner-up Johan Cruyff Shield 2008
Heerenveen
Winner KNVB Cup 2009
Runner-up Johan Cruyff Shield 2009
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 August 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:34, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Mika Väyrynen (born 28 December 1981) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, and a football manager, currently working as the head coach of Honka. After his playing career, Väyrynen has also worked as an assistant coach of Klubi 04 and HJK, and as a head coach of Klubi 04.

Early life

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Väyrynen was born in Eskilstuna, Sweden, where his Finnish father worked.[2] He grew up in Karjaa, Finland.[3]

Club career

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Early career

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Väyrynen started his career with FC Lahti and joined FC Jokerit for the 2001 season.

Heerenveen

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Midway through that year Heerenveen beat Inter Milan to his signature, Väyrynen opting for the Dutch club in order to have a better chance of a regular starting place. The transfer fee was not disclosed but is rumoured to be in seven figures.[4] He immediately broke into the Heerenveen side, though the switch from a summer to winter season meant he began to suffer from injury problems. However, in 2003–04 he became their key player in midfield, and ended up scoring 17 goals in 100 Eredivisie games.

PSV

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In the summer of 2005, Väyrynen joined PSV, upon joining stating, "PSV is the best option for me. At Heerenveen I learned to play more simple football. I am not the player I was in Finland any more, tactically and physically especially I have grown a lot." He was brought in to replace Mark van Bommel by PSV manager Guus Hiddink. Väyrynen was, however, ruled out for much of the early 2005–06 season with an ankle injury. Väyrynen returned to action as a substitute on 17 December 2005 against Willem II, and immediately scored his first goal for PSV. He was not able to earn a regular starting place in the spring season, and mostly made substitute appearances, as PSV secured the Dutch title for the second year in a row.

Väyrynen was linked with a move to Rangers[5] and newly promoted Premier League side Derby County as they looked to strengthen for the 2007–08 season. Väyrynen almost moved to Derby in August 2007, but the move collapsed because of a calf injury.

In the summer of 2008, Väyrynen was again linked with Rangers and an undisclosed Belgian team, believed to be Club Brugge.[6] He was also linked with Derby for the second time on 22 July 2008, according to Derby's local radio, despite their relegation to the Championship.

Heerenveen

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On 31 August 2008, two days before the closing of the transfer window, Väyrynen was signed by former club Heerenveen to a contract until 2011 with an option of one year more.[7][8] He picked up a knee injury in a January 2009 match against Ajax which ruled him out of play until the end of 2009. In his final season at Heerenveen, he scored 9 league goals for the club in 30 games.

Leeds United

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On 13 September 2011, Väyrynen, now a free agent, signed a one-year deal – with an option of a further year – with English Championship side Leeds United.[9] Väyrynen was rumoured to have been on the verge of signing Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg at the time Leeds came in for him.[10][11]

In signing for Leeds, Väyrynen joined compatriot Mikael Forssell at Elland Road. Väyrynen made his first appearance in a Leeds squad on 20 September, he was named on the bench against rivals Manchester United, and was brought on with Forssell in the 52nd minute.[12] Väyrynen made his league debut as a substitute in the 3–3 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 23 September, coming on for the last nine minutes.[13] He made his Elland Road league debut against Portsmouth on 1 October, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 win.[14] He made his first start for Leeds on 22 October, coming into the side for the injured Robert Snodgrass against Peterborough United.[15]

Väyrynen was ruled out for a few weeks when he had groin surgery which also ruled him out of some of the international fixtures with Finland. [16] He returned as a substitute for Leeds against Watford on 10 December, and he made an immediate impact when he won an injury time penalty for Leeds to equalise.[17] His second start came in Leeds 4–1 loss against Barnsley on 31 December 2011.[18]

On 16 April, Leeds united terminated Väyrynen's contract by mutual consent after eight months at the club.[19]

HJK Helsinki

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Since leaving Leeds, Väyrynen had been training with HJK Helsinki in order to maintain match fitness. On 10 July, HJK announced that Väyrynen had signed a three-month contract with the club.[20] He made his debut one week later, scoring from a penalty, in a 7−0 home win against KR Reykjavik in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. He made in total of 12 league appearances, scoring three goals, as HJK were crowned as league champions for the fourth consecutive season.

On 1 February 2013, Väyrynen signed a two-year contract extension with HJK.

LA Galaxy

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Väyrynen with LA Galaxy in 2015

In February 2015, Väyrynen trialed with LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer and signed with them on 6 March 2015.[21] On 15 March 2015, he made his debut against the Portland Timbers, coming off the bench in the 62nd minute and replacing Baggio Hušidić in an eventual 2–2 draw.[22]

International career

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Väyrynen playing for Finland in 2010

Väyrynen was a key player for the Finland national team. He made his debut on 20 March 2002 against South Korea. Väyrynen's breakthrough for Finland came in June 2003, when he was the star performer in matches against Serbia and Montenegro and Italy. Väyrynen was also a key player for Finland at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Managerial career

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In 2018, Väyrynen started as an assistant coach of Klubi 04, the reserve team of HJK Helsinki. In May 2019, Väyrynen was promoted to an assistant coach of HJK first team. He was named the head coach of Klubi 04 for the 2021 season, when the club played in Ykkönen.

On 24 November 2023, Väyrynen was named the manager of new Honka Akatemia.[23] The club gained a position of Kakkonen from FC Honka's former reserve team, after Esport Honka was declared bankruptcy in November 2023.

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lahti 1999 Veikkausliiga 15 1 15 1
2000 Veikkausliiga 21 10 21 10
Finland 36 11 36 11
Jokerit 2001 Veikkausliiga 30 4 30 4
Heerenveen 2001–02 Eredivisie 18 0 18 0
2002–03 Eredivisie 22 4 22 4
2003–04 Eredivisie 32 5 32 5
2004–05 Eredivisie 29 8 29 8
Total 101 17 101 17
PSV 2005–06 Eredivisie 11 2 2 0 1 0 14 2
2006–07 Eredivisie 17 0 4 0 8 1 29 1
2007–08 Eredivisie 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
Total 29 2 6 0 11 1 46 3
Heerenveen 2008–09 Eredivisie 17 1 3 0 6 2 26 3
2009–10 Eredivisie 10 1 1 0 3 1 14 2
2010–11 Eredivisie 30 9 1 1 0 0 31 10
Total 57 11 5 1 9 3 71 15
Leeds United 2011–12 Championship 10 0 1 0 – 11 0
HJK Helsinki 2012 Veikkausliiga 11 3 0 0 4 1 15 4
2013 Veikkausliiga 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2014 Veikkausliiga 25 2 3 1 10 1 38 4
Finland 39 5 3 1 14 2 56 8
LA Galaxy 2015 MLS 19 0 0 0 4 1 23 1
HIFK 2016 Veikkausliiga 14 0 14 0
2017 Veikkausliiga 27 0 4 1 31 1
Total 41 0 45 1
Career total 275 48 11 1 24 5 310 54
  1. ^ Includes Finnish Cup, KNVB Cup, FA Cup

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[24]
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 2002 1 0
2003 7 0
2004 8 0
2005 2 0
2006 8 2
2007 6 0
2008 9 1
2009 0 0
2010 7 2
2011 8 0
2012 1 0
2013 2 0
2014 2 0
2015 2 0
Total 64 5
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Väyrynen goal.
List of international goals scored by Mika Väyrynen
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 16 August 2006 Helsinki, Finland  Northern Ireland 1–2 Friendly
2 2 September 2006 Bydgoszcz, Poland  Poland 3–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
3 10 September 2008 Helsinki, Finland  Germany 3–3 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 3 March 2010 Ta'Qali, Malta  Malta 2–1 Friendly
5 17 November 2010 Helsinki, Finland  San Marino 8–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

Honours

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PSV

Heerenveen

HJK

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Mika Väyrynen at Soccerway
  2. ^ Vanhanen, Sakari; Mäkinen, Veikko; Pessi, Tuomo. "Mika Väyrynen". Suomifutaajatenglannissa (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Jokerit myy Mika Väyrysen Heerenveeniin". MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). 19 April 2001. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  4. ^ Mika Väyrynen siirtyy Hollantiin, Yle
  5. ^ Rangers Target Mika Up For Sale (from Evening Times)
  6. ^ PSV put him on the transfer list and asked for £750,000 for him.
  7. ^ "Väyrynen keert terug bij sc Heerenveen". Sc-heerenveen.nl. Retrieved 27 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Mika Väyrynen palaa Heerenveeniin". MTV3.fi. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  9. ^ "News | Leeds". Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Leeds United: Grayson hails new signing Mika Vayrynen pedigree LATEST - Latest Whites News - Yorkshire Evening Post". Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  11. ^ "» Finnish International Linked with Leeds".
  12. ^ "Leeds vs Man Utd". Leeds Official Website. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  13. ^ "Brighton 3 - Leeds 3". LUFC. 23 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Leeds Vs Portsmouth". LUFC. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  15. ^ "Peterborough United Vs Leeds". LUFC. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  16. ^ "FINN TO MISS TURF MOOR TRIP". LUFC. 17 November 2011.
  17. ^ "SNODDY SPOT-KICK SNATCHES POINT". LUFC. 10 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Leeds crash to Oakwell loss." LUFC. 31 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Duo set to leave Elland road". Leeds United A.F.C. 16 April 2012.
  20. ^ HJK:lle huippuvahvistus Archived 8 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in Finnish)
  21. ^ "LA Galaxy sign midfielder Mika Vayrynen". 6 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Portland Timbers 2–2 LA Galaxy". 15 March 2015.
  23. ^ Mika Väyrynen miesten edustusjoukkueen päävalmentajaksi – Toiminnan suunnittelu hyvällä mallilla!, fchonka.fi, 24 November 2023
  24. ^ "Suomen Palloliitto - Väyrynen Mika". Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  25. ^ "Koplajoukkue 2016 palkittiin päätöskierroksella". www.veikkausliiga.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
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