Tomi Saarelma
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 November 1988[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Hollola, Finland | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2] | ||
| Playing position | Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | BSC Old Boys | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| –2005 | FC Reipas / FC Kuusysi | ||
| 2005–2007 | Chelsea | ||
| 2008–2009 | KooTeePee | 22 | (2) |
| 2009 | 1. FC Kleve | 1 | (0) |
| 2009–2011 | Levadia | 25 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | FC Baden | 17 | (3) |
| 2012-2013 | SR Delémont | 22 | (1) |
| 2013- | BSC Old Boys | 1 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| – | Finland U19 | 7 | (0) |
| – | Finland U20 | 10 | (0) |
| † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Tomi Saarelma (born 30 November 1988) is a Finnish footballer who plays for Swiss club BSC Old Boys. His previous clubs include FC Reipas, FC Kuusysi, Chelsea, KooTeePee, 1. FC Kleve, Levadia, FC Baden and SR Delémont.
Club career
When Saarelma was 16, he was spotted by the scouts of English club Chelsea, playing for his youth club FC Lahti. After a successful trial with the club, Saarelma was offered a two-year contract in the beginning of 2005, and officially moved to the club in the summer of 2005.[3] In the beginning of his Chelsea career, he formed an important part of the club's youth team and helped the team to reach the final of the famous tournament, Milk Cup, where they lost to FC Barcelona. After two seasons, Saarelma left the club, where he was highly praised for his skills with the ball, but as a small player, could not really cope with the physical side of the game, which is an important part of the English football.
In 2008 Saarelma returned to Finland and signed a two-year contract with KooTeePee of the Veikkausliiga, the highest level of football in Finland.[2] Saarelma was one of the key figures in the team, specially at the second part of the season, making 22 appearances and scoring two goals. After just one season Saarelma left the club and signed with the German side 1. FC Kleve, but left just after six months.[2]
In the summer of 2009 Saarelma signed with Estonia's biggest club, FC Levadia, where he won the league title in his first season, making 19 league appearances and scoring 4 goals. Saarelma also was helping the team do well in Europe, where Levadia faced many top teams, for example Turkish side Galatasaray, who put them out of the Europa League 2009. He won the Estonian Cup and Super Cup with Levadia in 2010. Saarelma left the club before the 2011 season began and moved to Swiss 1. Liga club FC Baden. In the summer of 2012 Saarelma moved to SR Delemont In Swiss Challenge League.
International career
Saarelma has represented Finland at youth international level.
References
- ↑ "Tomi Saarelma". UEFA. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tomi Saarelma". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ↑ "Chelsea bring in 11 first year players". Chelsea. 5 July 2005. Retrieved 27 September 2011.