Matias Ojala Explained

Matias Ojala
Fullname:Matias Petteri Ojala
Birth Date:1995 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Oulu, Finland
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:IFK Mariehamn
Youthclubs1:OLS
Youthclubs2:Tervarit
Years1:2010–2016
Clubs1:AC Oulu
Caps1:85
Goals1:11
Years2:2013–2014
Clubs2:Hamburger SV II (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:1
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:PS Kemi
Caps3:58
Goals3:0
Years4:2018–2019
Clubs4:Ilves
Caps4:36
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2023
Clubs5:Inter Turku
Caps5:73
Goals5:8
Years6:2024–
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Pcupdate:21 December 2023
Nationalyears1:2010–2011
Nationalteam1:Finland U-17
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2011–2013
Nationalteam2:Finland U-19
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2012–2013
Nationalteam3:Finland U-18
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2014
Nationalteam4:Finland U-20
Nationalcaps4:2
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2014–2015
Nationalteam5:Finland U-21
Nationalcaps5:5
Nationalgoals5:0

Matias Petteri Ojala (born 28 February 1995) is a Finnish footballer, currently playing for IFK Mariehamn in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.

Early career

Born and raised in Oulu, Ojala started his footballing career with local club AC Oulu, making his debut on Finnish top-flight on 12 August 2010, only at the age of 15. By doing this, he became the youngest player in history to make an appearance in Veikkausliiga.[1]

He was however unable to make more appearances during the season as AC Oulu finished 11th. Because of their financial situation, the club however dropped down a level as they were denied a league license by the Finnish FA[2]

This proved to be a good career point for Ojala, as he went on making 58 appearances and scoring 9 goals for Oulu during the next three seasons combined in the Finnish second division. During his final season with Oulu, he replaced the legendary Mika Nurmela as the team captain, only at the age of 18.

Career

On 27 August 2013, it was announced that Ojala had joined German Bundesliga side HSV on loan until summer 2014, with an option to buy.[3] He was promoted to train with the first team for the first time in early October.

On 7 November 2019, FC Inter Turku confirmed the signing of Ojala for the 2020 season on a deal until the end of 2021.[4]

On 22 December 2023, Ojala signed with fellow Veikkausliiga side IFK Mariehamn on a one-year deal.[5]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?id=40393 AC Oulun Matias Ojalasta historian nuorin Veikkausliigapelaaja (Matias Ojala of AC Oulu, becomes the youngest player ever to make an appearance in Veikkausliiga)
  2. http://yle.fi/uutiset/ac_oulu_denied_league_licence/5318951 AC Oulu Denied League Licence
  3. http://yle.fi/uutiset/matias_ojala_oulusta_saksan_bundesliigaan/6796843 Matias Ojala Oulusta Saksan Bundesliigaan (Matias Ojala joins Bundesliga side HSV)
  4. https://fcinter.fi/matias-ojala-siirtyy-fc-interiin/ MATIAS OJALA SIIRTYY FC INTERIIN
  5. https://www.ts.fi/urheilu/6196795 Neljä kautta Interissä pelanneen Matias Ojalan ura jatkuu IFK Mariehamnin väreissä – "Hänellä on kaikki eväät ottaa johtava rooli joukkueessa"