Gabriel Oksanen Explained

Gabriel Oksanen
Birth Date:2006 9, df=yes
Birth Place:San Diego, United States
Position:Right back
Currentclub:SJK II
Youthyears1:–2021
Youthyears2:2021–2022
Youthyears3:2022–
Youthclubs1:San Diego Surf
Youthclubs2:Philadelphia Union
Youthclubs3:Real Salt Lake
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Real Monarchs
Caps1:6
Goals1:0
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:SJK II
Caps2:16
Goals2:0
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:SJK
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2022–2023
Nationalteam1:Finland U17
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Finland U18
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:19 August 2024
Nationalteam-Update:9 June 2024

Gabriel Oksanen (born 22 September 2006) is a Finnish professional football player who plays as a right back for Ykkösliiga club SJK II and the Finland under-18 national team.[1]

Club career

Oksanen played for San Diego Surf in his youth, before he was scouted by Philadelphia Union at the age of 14, and later joined their academy. In the early 2022, he moved to Real Salt Lake organisation, and since then he has played in 6 league matches for the club's reserve team Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro.[2]

In July 2023, Oksanen was one of the three Real Salt Lake academy players to trial with Danish club Brøndby IF.[3] [4]

On 14 November 2023, it was reported in Finnish media that Oksanen is close to sign with Finnish club SJK, playing in the premier division Veikkausliiga.[5] On 21 November 2023, SJK confirmed the signing of Oksanen.[6] He will be registered to the club's academy squad SJK Akatemia. The team will compete in the inaugural season of the newly established second-tier Ykkösliiga, starting in 2024.

International career

Oksanen has represented Finland at under-17 youth national team level.[7] On 31 October 2023, he was called up to Finland under-18 national team for two friendly matches against Austria.[8] [9]

Personal life

Born and raised in the United States, Oksanen holds dual Finnish-American citizenship. His father is a Finnish former professional snowboarder Jussi Oksanen, and his mother is English.[10] Oksanen is eligible to represent Finland, England and United States, and has opted to represent Finland at youth national team level.[11]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague cupEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Monarchs2022MLS Next Pro3030
2023MLS Next Pro3030
Total6000000060
SJK II2024Ykkösliiga1600040210
SJK2024Veikkausliiga00100010
Career total220104000270

Notes and References

  1. https://www.mlsnextpro.com/players/gabriel-oksanen/ G.Oksanen player profile MLS Next Pro
  2. https://thecoastnews.com/encinitas-teen-oksanen-joins-finnish-youth-national-team-for-nordic-open/ Encinitas teen joins Finnish youth national team for Nordic Open
  3. https://bold.dk/fodbold/stillinger/superligaen/nyheder/brondby-far-tre-real-salt-lake-talenter-til-provetraening Brøndby får tre Real Salt Lake-talenter til prøvetræning
  4. https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/broendby-sender-invitation-til-tre-spillere Brøndby sender invitation til tre spillere
  5. https://ilkkapohjalainen.fi/urheilu/suomen-poikien-maajoukkuepelaaja-on-siirtymässä-yhdysvalloista-sjkhon Suomen poikien maajoukkuepelaaja on siirtymässä Yhdysvalloista SJK:hon
  6. https://sjk.fi/uutiset/sopimusuutiset/sjk-teki-sopimukset-kolmen-nuoren-lupaavan-pelaajan-kanssa/ SJK teki sopimukset kolmen nuoren lupaavan pelaajan kanssa
  7. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rsl-academy-defender-gabriel-oksanen-named-to-finland-u-17-national-team/n-5861524 RSL Academy Defender Gabriel Oksanen Named to Finland U-17 National Team
  8. https://www.veikkausliiga.com/uutiset/2023/10/31/u18-pojat-nimetty-itavalta-otteluihin-veikkausliigakokemusta-mukana U18-pojat nimetty Itävalta-otteluihin – Veikkausliigakokemusta mukana
  9. https://www.palloliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/u18-pojat-ja-itavalta-iskevat-yhteen-keskiviikkona U18-pojat ja Itävalta iskevät yhteen keskiviikkona
  10. https://www.rsl.com/news/finnish-youth-national-team-call-up-excites-rsl-academy-duo Finnish Youth National Team Call-Up Excites RSL Academy Duo
  11. https://thecoastnews.com/encinitas-teen-oksanen-joins-finnish-youth-national-team-for-nordic-open/ Encinitas teen joins Finnish youth national team for Nordic Open