JUSSI JAASKELAINEN FACTFILE

Born:

Mikkeli, Finland, 1975 (Age 40)

Signed by local side MP Mikkeli as a teenager, Jaaskelainen made his debut in 1992 and went on to play 64 times, helping stave off relegation to the second tier. In 1996, he joined VPS Vaasa and a year later was first choice as the club finished second to qualify for Europe. Signed by Bolton for £100,000 in late 1997, the Finn made his debut in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on the opening day of the 199899 campaign and finished the season with 40 appearances in all competitions. Promoted to the Premier League in 2001 (though he missed the play-off final due to injury), Jaaskelainen was near ever-present for the next ten seasons, helping the Trotters register four consecutive top-half finishes, twice qualifying for Europe and making 530 appearances, third in the club’s all-time list. Jaaskelainen left Bolton in 2012 to join newly-promoted West Ham and didn’t miss a minute in his first season at Upton Park. However, the form of Adrian restricted him to 18 games in 2013-14 and just two last term, prompting his release from the club. Aged 40, Jaaskelainen joined Wigan, making his debut in October. He also appeared 42 times for Finland.