Mikael Forssell

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Mikael Kaj Forssell (born 15 March 1981) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a striker.<ref name="Palloliitto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is currently working as an assistant coach of HJK Helsinki, having previously worked as a youth coach for the club.<ref>Mikael Forssell HJK:n A-junioreiden valmentajaksi, hjk.fi, 13 September 2019</ref>

Forssell began his professional career in 1997 for HJK, having progressed through the team's youth teams, but he only remained at the club for a single season, making 17 league appearances, before he moved to England to join Chelsea in 1998. He never broke into the Chelsea team, making 33 league appearances in seven years, and spent two loan spells at Crystal Palace, one at Borussia Mönchengladbach, and two at Birmingham City. He switched permanently to the latter club in 2005, but injury problems restricted him to 65 league appearances in three seasons. He joined German side Hannover 96 in 2008 on a free transfer, but once again struggled with form and injury problems, and he left the club in 2011, having made 44 league appearances. This was followed by an unsuccessful season back in England, this time with Leeds United; 15 league games failed to yield a single goal. Forssell returned to HJK in October 2012.

Forssell made his full international debut for Finland in 1999, and was a regular player for his country for the next 15 years. He earned 87 caps for his country, and scored 29 goals, making him Finland's sixth most capped player and second highest goalscorer.

In 2022, Forssell was named in the HJK Hall of Fame.<ref>Mikael Forssell HJK:n Hall of Fameen, hjk.fi, 2 October 2022</ref>

Club career

Born in Steinfurt,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Germany, and considered one of the most talented Finnish footballers of all time, Forssell made his Veikkausliiga debut for HJK at the age of just 16.<ref name="Palloliitto"/>

Chelsea

His goal-scoring form for Finland's youth teams made him a target for a host of Europe's top clubs, and in 1998, the 17-year-old striker was snapped up by Chelsea<ref name="en.eufo.de">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> who at the time were managed by Gianluca Vialli. He made his debut as a substitute in a league game against Arsenal in January 1999<ref name="Helsingin Sanomat international edition">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and then three days later, Forssell made his first start for the club when he scored two goals against Oxford United in the FA Cup.<ref name="The Independent">Template:Cite news</ref> His first league goal came three weeks later, when he scored against Nottingham Forest.<ref name="sporting-heroes.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, when Chelsea signed Chris Sutton for £10 million, Forssell was loaned out twice to Crystal Palace<ref name="Mikael Forssell">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> of the then First Division, scoring 16 league goals in just over 50 appearances.<ref name="NFT">Template:NFT player</ref>

Forssell found it hard to find a place in the Chelsea first team with Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Tore Andre Flo and Eiður Guðjohnsen, who were all ahead of him in the pecking order.<ref name="sporting-heroes.net"/> After initially impressing new manager Claudio Ranieri, scoring in four consecutive games,<ref name="Forssell is hungry for action">Template:Cite news</ref> he was sent out on loan again and had spells at Borussia Mönchengladbach<ref name="UEFA.com">Template:Cite news</ref> of the German Bundesliga<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and twice to Birmingham City of the Premier League. Forssell scored seven Bundesliga goals for Mönchengladbach in the spring of 2003 and then 17 Premier League goals for Birmingham in the 2003–04 season (more league goals than any other Chelsea player), during which he was the division's fifth highest goalscorer. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for March 2004,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> a month in which he scored twice in a 4–1 win against Leeds United,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and won Birmingham's Player of the Year award.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He returned to Birmingham on loan for the 2004–05 season, but suffered the second serious knee injury of his career.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He returned to Chelsea to recuperate, and made occasional appearances for Chelsea that season,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> playing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in the last home match, against Charlton Athletic, as Chelsea celebrated winning their first top-flight title for 50 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Birmingham City

In the summer of 2005, Forssell joined Birmingham on a three-year deal for a fee of £3.5 million<ref>Blues set to seal £3.5m deal for hero Mikael, birminghammail.co.uk, 10 June 2005</ref> after Chelsea decided that he did not fit in their long-term plans. He struggled in the 2005–06 season, not having found his best form after his injury, and could not save Birmingham from relegation. Forssell suffered another cruel injury blow to his other knee during training in October 2006. This left him on the sidelines until he returned to training in February 2007 after undergoing operations on both knees. He remained at Birmingham to have another go at resurrecting his career.

His 2007–08 pre-season performances were good as he scored five goals in five games. His manager, Steve Bruce, was enthusiastic about his return to form. He continued his good form into the start of the season, scoring the opening goal of the match against Chelsea and consolidating his good form with two assists in the next three matches. He scored his first hat-trick at club level on 1 March 2008, in the 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, a so-called "perfect hat-trick" – one goal scored with the left foot, one with the right, and one with the head.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his final season at Birmingham, he finished the season as their top scorer with nine goals as the club were relegated from the Premier League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Hannover 96

In May 2008, following the club's relegation from Premier League, Forssell signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hannover 96 on a free transfer when his Birmingham contract expired at the end of June. His contract with Hannover ran out at the end of the 2010–11 season.<ref name=leaveBCFC>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On his pre-season debut for Hannover, he scored 10 goals including an eight-minute hat-trick in one friendly game against amateurs FC Boffzen. The game ended up as a 23–0 win.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Leeds United

After leaving Hannover when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season, Forssell had trials with clubs including West Ham United<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Leeds United<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> of the English Football League Championship (second tier). On 8 September, he returned from international duty with Finland to sign a contract with Leeds until the end of the 2011–12 season.<ref name="BBC Sport">Template:Cite news</ref> Forssell was handed the number 18 shirt and took his place on the bench two days later against his former club Crystal Palace. He came on as a second-half substitute to make his Leeds debut and assisted Ross McCormack for their winning goal in a 3–2 victory.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He came on as a substitute against fierce rivals Manchester United in a 3–0 League Cup defeat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After mainly being used as a substitute and failing to score a single goal for Leeds, Forssell was told by Neil Warnock that his one-year contract would not be renewed at the end of the 2011–12 season and that he would be released from the club at the expiry of his contract.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Return to HJK

On 29 October 2012, it was announced that Forssell would be returning to Finland after spending 14 years abroad, signing a two-year contract with his former club HJK.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 22 April 2013, Forssell opened the scoring by a header, in a 2–0 away win over rivals Honka. He finished the season with 14 league goals, the club's top goalscorer as HJK won their fifth consecutive championship.

After a stint with German side VfL Bochum, Forssell rejoined HJK on 3 March 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

HIFK and retirement

On 10 April 2017, Forssell signed a contract for one year with HIFK.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He announced his retirement in May 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International career

Forssell was a regular for the Finnish national team for most of the 2000s. He played his first match for Finland on 9 June 1999 against Moldova, and scored his first goal on 28 February 2001 against Luxembourg.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He often partnered Jari Litmanen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Forssell also played for Finland in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Forssell scored twice against Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier; the match ended 2–2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Forssell scored two hat-tricks for Finland. On 7 September 2005, in Tampere, he scored three goals against FYR Macedonia in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. On 17 November 2010, Forssell scored three of Finland's eight goals against San Marino in the Euro 2012 qualifying.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaching career

After his playing career, Forssell has coached HJK's U19 youth team. On 6 June 2024, he was appointed an assistant coach of HJK first team.<ref>Mikael Forssell liittyy HJK:n valmennustiimiin, hjk.fi, 6 June 2024</ref>

Personal life

Forssell's older sister, Christina Forssell, was also a footballer who played for HJK and Finland. His parents are Ansa and Bengt Forssell. Bengt has also played football on a high level in Finland. On 23 August 2013, Forssell got engaged to Metti Lukkarila, and they married on 9 August 2014.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The couple have two children – Lilia, born in May 2014,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Lucas Mikael, born in August 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honours

HJK Helsinki

• Veikkausliiga: 1997, 2013Template:Citation needed
• Finnish Cup: 1998Template:Citation needed
• Finnish League Cup: 1998Template:Citation needed

Finland

• Nordic Football Championship: 2000–01<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Individual

• Premier League Player of the Month: March 2004<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career statistics

Club career

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National CupTemplate:Efn		League CupTemplate:Efn		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
HJK	1997<ref name=Veikkausliiga>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Veikkausliiga	1	0					0	0	1	0
	1998<ref name=Veikkausliiga/><ref name="wf.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Veikkausliiga	16	1					4Template:Efn	0	20	1
	Total		17	1					4	0	21	1
Chelsea	1998–99<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	10	1	3	2	0	0	0	0	13	3
	1999–2000<ref name=sb9900/>	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	1Template:Efn	0	2	0
	2001–02<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	22	4	6	3	4	2	3Template:Efn	0	35	9
	2002–03<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2003–04<ref name=sb0304>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	0	0	—		—		1Template:Efn	0	1	0
	2004–05<ref name=sb0405>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1Template:Efn	0	2	0
	Total		33	5	9	5	5	2	6	0	53	12
Crystal Palace (loan)	1999–2000<ref name=sb9900>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	First Division	13	3	0	0	0	0	—		13	3
	2000–01<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	First Division	39	13	2	0	8	2	—		49	15
	Total		52	16	2	0	8	2	—		62	18
Borussia Mönchengladbach (loan)	2002–03<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Bundesliga	16	7	—		—		—		16	7
Birmingham City (loan)	2003–04<ref name=sb0304>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	32	17	4	2	1	0	—		37	19
	2004–05<ref name=sb0405/>	Premier League	4	0	—		0	0	—		4	0
Birmingham City	2005–06<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	27	3	5	3	3	2	—		35	8
	2006–07<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Championship	8	1	0	0	2	0	—		10	1
	2007–08<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Premier League	30	9	1	0	1	0	—		32	9
	Total		101	30	10	5	7	2	—		118	37
Hannover 96	2008–09<ref name="wf.net"/>	Bundesliga	30	7	1	0	—		—		31	7
	2009–10<ref name="wf.net"/>	Bundesliga	2	0	1	0	—		—		3	0
	2010–11<ref name="wf.net"/>	Bundesliga	12	0	1	0	—		—		13	0
	Total		44	7	3	0	—		—		47	7
Hannover 96 II	2009–10<ref name="wf.net"/>	Regionalliga Nord	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
Leeds United	2011–12<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>	Championship	15	0	1	0	1	0	—		17	0
HJK	2013<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>For Suomen Cup 5th round: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Veikkausliiga	27	14	2	0	5	3	2Template:Efn	0	36	17
	2014<ref name=Soccerway/>	Veikkausliiga	17	7	1	0	5	4	1Template:Efn	0	24	11
	Total		44	21	3	0	10	7	3	0	60	28
VfL Bochum	2014–15<ref name=Soccerway/>	2. Bundesliga	16	3	1	0	—		—		17	3
HJK	2016<ref name=Soccerway/><ref>For Suomen Cup 5th round: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Veikkausliiga	19	3	4	2	0	0	1Template:Efn	0	24	5
HIFK	2017<ref name=Soccerway>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Veikkausliiga	26	8	0	0	—		2Template:Efn	0	28	8
Career total			384	101	33	12	31	13	16	0	464	126

International

Template:Updated<ref name="NFT" /> Appearances and goals by national team and year

Finland national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1999	1	0
2000	7	0
2001	9	6
2002	2	1
2003	9	4
2004	3	1
2005	7	3
2006	6	1
2007	7	1
2008	8	1
2009	6	1
2010	7	5
2011	9	2
2012	0	0
2013	5	3
2014	1	0
Total	87	29

International goals

Finland's score given first. As of 26 March 2013.<ref name="Palloliitto" />

Mikael Forssell international goals
#	Date	Location	Opponent	Result	Competition
1.	28 February 2001	Luxembourg, Luxembourg	Template:Fb	1–0	Friendly
2.	2 June 2001	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	2–2	2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.
4.	15 August 2001	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	4–1	Friendly
5.	5 September 2001	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	5–1	2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.
7.	27 March 2002	Porto, Portugal	Template:Fb	4–1	Friendly
8.	30 April 2003	Vantaa, Finland	Template:Fb	3–0	Friendly
9.	7 June 2003	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	3–0	UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
10.	10 September 2003	Cardiff, Wales	Template:Fb	1–1	Euro 2004 qualifying
11.	11 October 2003	Tampere, Finland	Template:Fb	3–2	Friendly
12.	8 September 2004	Jerevan, Armenia	Template:Fb	2–0	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
13.	7 September 2005	Tampere, Finland	Template:Fb	5–1	2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
14.
15.
16.	1 March 2006	Larnaka, Cyprus	Template:Fb	2–2	Friendly
17.	17 November 2007	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	2–1	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
18.	11 October 2008	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	1–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
19.	6 June 2009	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	2–1	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
20.	7 September 2010	Rotterdam, Netherlands	Template:Fb	1–2	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
21.	12 October 2010	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	1–2	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
22.	17 November 2010	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	8–0	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
23.
24.
25.	3 June 2011	Serravalle, San Marino	Template:Fb	1–0	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
26.	2 September 2011	Helsinki, Finland	Template:Fb	4–1	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
27.	23 January 2013	Chiang Mai, Thailand	Template:Fb	3–1	2013 King's Cup
28.
29.	26 March 2013	Luxembourg, Luxembourg	Template:Fb	3–0	Friendly

External links

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