Jukka Raitala
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Jukka Raitala
Personal information
Date of birth
September 15, 1988 (1988-09-15) (age 21)
Place of birth
Kerava, Finland
Height
1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Playing position
Defender
Club information
Current club
1899 Hoffenheim
Number
22
Youth career
1995–2005
Keravan Pallo-75
2005–2006
HJK Helsinki
Senior career*
Years
Team
Apps†
(Gls)†
2006–2007
Klubi-04
22
(0)
2007–
HJK Helsinki
66
(0)
2009–
→ 1899 Hoffenheim (loan)
0
(0)
National team
2005–2006
Finland U-19
2007–
Finland U-21
20
(0)
2009–
Finland
1
(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 23, 2009.† Appearances (Goals).
Jukka Raitala (born September 15, 1988, Kerava, Finland) is a Finnish footballer, who is currently playing for 1899 Hoffenheim on loan from HJK Helsinki.
Contents[hide]
1 Career
1.1 Club career
1.1.1 Early career
1.1.2 HJK
1.1.3 1899 Hoffenheim
1.2 Position
2 International career
3 References
4 External links
//
[edit] Career
[edit] Club career
[edit] Early career
Raitala joined Keravan Pallo-75 junior team at the age of seven. He played there for ten years, before he moved to HJK in 2005. Only after one year in the youth team he was promoted to HJK's reserve team Klubi 04.
[edit] HJK
In 2007, he made his first appearance for the senior side at the age of eighteen and has since been a regular in the starting eleven. His success with the Finland national under-21 football team and HJK has made him the hottest transfer target in Finland. For a long time the 20-year-old refused to sign a new contract with HJK, but when the club left him out of the playing squad he chose to sign a new deal that will keep him in Helsinki until the end of the 2011 season.
In 2008 SpVgg Greuther Fürth scouted him in Helsinki. In October 2008, Finnish sports magazine IS Veikkaaja told that AEK Athens, AFC Ajax and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are also scouting him. In Greek Day News, Raitala stated that he is interested in a move to AEK and that he is friends with AEK's Perparim Hetemaj.[1]
In November, West Bromwich Albion invited him for a test period after preparative negotiations with HJK. Raitala never did the trip and stated he does not want to risk playing time by moving. He wants to guarantee his place in the 2009 Under-21 Euros team.[2]
In January 2009, Newcastle United invited him for a week long trial with their first team.[3] It was also informed in Finnish IS Veikkaaja, that Udinese Calcio and Middlesbrough F.C. are watching his progress.
In April 2009, Express.de told, that Raitala is 1. FC Köln's top candidate to replace Pierre Womé as their left-back.[4] In April 23, Express.de told, that Raitala is going to meet Köln and he has an exit clause in his new contract with HJK.[5] This was later denied by the Finnish club.
On April 21, 2009, Raitala signed a new three-year deal with HJK.[6] It was also informed in Veikkaaja-magazine, that Udinese had been ready to offer a deal for five-years and also that Italian giants, such as AC Milan, had been in Helsinki studying Raitala.
In May, 2009, Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Bayer Leverkusen, AZ Alkmaar and Bordeaux joined the race to sign Raitala.[7][8].
On August 10, Finnish sport magazine Urheilulehti told, that Raitala is going to sign with Hoffenheim.[9]
[edit] 1899 Hoffenheim
On August 31, HJK announced that Raitala had joined Hoffenheim on a season-long loan deal, with an option to buy him after the loan.[9]
[edit] Position
He usually plays as a left back in both his club side and the national team but can also operate as a right back or a central defender.
[edit] International career
On 4 February 2009 Raitala made his debut in the Finnish national team in a friendly match against Japan.
He was also a regular in the Finnish under-21 team, that qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship final tournament in 2009.
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