Mika Ääritalo

Mika Ääritalo

Personal information
Full name	Mika Ääritalo
Date of birth	(1985-07-25) 25 July 1985
Place of birth	Taivassalo, Finland
Height
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	TPS Turku
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2003	TPS Turku	5	(0)
2003–2005	Aston Villa	0	(0)
2005–	TPS Turku	196	(47)
2014	→ Holstein Kiel (loan)	4	(0)
International career‡
2010–	Finland	6	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 February 2014 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 2 June 2012

Mika Ääritalo (born 25 July 1985) is a Finnish international footballer who plays as a striker for TPS Turku.

Career

Club career

After beginning his senior career in 2002 with hometown club TPS Turku, English Premiership side Aston Villa beat a host of clubs from across Europe to the signing of Ääritalo in January 2003. After failing to make a first-team appearance for Aston Villa, Ääritalo returned to first club TPS Turku in February 2005.

In June 2008, Portuguese BWINLIGA club C.D. Nacional were interested in signing Ääritalo, but the deal fell through due to cost and the fact that Ääritalo didn't want to move to Portugal.

In January 2014, he joined the German 3. Liga side Holstein Kiel on a six-month loan. He has since played for Turun Palloseura, FC Lahti and Kuopion Palloseura.

International career

Ääritalo made his international debut in 2010. He scored his first international goal on 22 January 2012, in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.

Career statistics

International goals

#	Date	Location	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	22 January 2012	Port of Spain	Trinidad and Tobago	2−3	2−3	Friendly

International

As of 2 June 2012

Finland national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2010	1	0
2011	3	0
2012	2	1
Total	6	1