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.
 Väyrynen in 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 28 December 1981 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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
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*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) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
editVäyrynen was born in Eskilstuna, Sweden, where his Finnish father worked.[2] He grew up in Karjaa, Finland.[3]
Club career
editEarly career
editVäyrynen started his career with FC Lahti and joined FC Jokerit for the 2001 season.
Heerenveen
editMidway 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
editIn 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
editOn 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
editOn 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
editSince 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
editIn 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
editVäyrynen 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
editIn 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
editClub
edit| 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 | ||
- ^ Includes Finnish Cup, KNVB Cup, FA Cup
International
edit| 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.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 August 2006 | Helsinki, Finland | 1–2 | Friendly | ||
| 2 | 2 September 2006 | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying | ||
| 3 | 10 September 2008 | Helsinki, Finland | 3–3 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||
| 4 | 3 March 2010 | Ta'Qali, Malta | 2–1 | Friendly | ||
| 5 | 17 November 2010 | Helsinki, Finland | 8–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
Honours
editPSV
Heerenveen
HJK
Individual
- Veikkausliiga Team of the Year: 2016[25]
References
edit- ^ Mika Väyrynen at Soccerway
- ^ Vanhanen, Sakari; Mäkinen, Veikko; Pessi, Tuomo. "Mika Väyrynen". Suomifutaajatenglannissa (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Jokerit myy Mika Väyrysen Heerenveeniin". MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). 19 April 2001. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Mika Väyrynen siirtyy Hollantiin, Yle
- ^ Rangers Target Mika Up For Sale (from Evening Times)
- ^ PSV put him on the transfer list and asked for £750,000 for him.
- ^ "Väyrynen keert terug bij sc Heerenveen". Sc-heerenveen.nl. Retrieved 27 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mika Väyrynen palaa Heerenveeniin". MTV3.fi. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ "News | Leeds". Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "» Finnish International Linked with Leeds".
- ^ "Leeds vs Man Utd". Leeds Official Website. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ^ "Brighton 3 - Leeds 3". LUFC. 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Leeds Vs Portsmouth". LUFC. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ "Peterborough United Vs Leeds". LUFC. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
- ^ "FINN TO MISS TURF MOOR TRIP". LUFC. 17 November 2011.
- ^ "SNODDY SPOT-KICK SNATCHES POINT". LUFC. 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Leeds crash to Oakwell loss." LUFC. 31 December 2011.
- ^ "Duo set to leave Elland road". Leeds United A.F.C. 16 April 2012.
- ^ HJK:lle huippuvahvistus Archived 8 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in Finnish)
- ^ "LA Galaxy sign midfielder Mika Vayrynen". 6 March 2015.
- ^ "Portland Timbers 2–2 LA Galaxy". 15 March 2015.
- ^ Mika Väyrynen miesten edustusjoukkueen päävalmentajaksi – Toiminnan suunnittelu hyvällä mallilla!, fchonka.fi, 24 November 2023
- ^ "Suomen Palloliitto - Väyrynen Mika". Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
- ^ "Koplajoukkue 2016 palkittiin päätöskierroksella". www.veikkausliiga.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
External links
edit- "Mikä Väyrynen at Leeds United F.C." Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- Mika Väyrynen – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Mika Väyrynen – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Mika Väyrynen at National-Football-Teams.com
- Mika Väyrynen at Soccerway
- "Profile at FA of Finland's official website" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2006.
- "Mika Väyrynen Fansite". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2006.
- Mika Väyrynen at ESPN FC
- "www.psvweb.nl profile". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.