Jussi Jaaskelainen

Premier League legend – Jussi Jaaskelainen, is a Finnish football coach and retired goalkeeper. In his time between the sticks, Jaaskelainen won the Nordic Football Championship for his home nation and League One Cup with Wigan Athletic.

The fantastic Finn spent his best years at Bolton Wanderers from 1997-2012, making 530 appearances across all competitions, cementing himself as an icon and in the top five list for most appearances ever for the club. In 2007, the commanding keeper received Bolton’s “Player of the Year Award” and also the “Players’ Player of the Year Award”, after helping the underdog club to secure a UEFA Cup spot for only the second time in its history. After a number of successful years at Bolton, Jaaskelainen left the club for West Ham United at the end of the 2011–12 campaign, and moved on after three seasons to Wigan Athletic. In his first season with Wigan he won the League One Title, bringing his magic touch to the club. Jaaskelainen also earned 56 caps for the Finland national team, making his debut in 1998 and retiring from the international scene in 2010.

The Finn has gone on after his playing career to be Caretaker Manager of Wrexham, offering his valuable knowledge to players trying to make it to the Premier League like he once did. His sons also now play in the lower leagues of English football, meaning that the Jaaskelainen name may be seen once more at the top of English football.