Janne Saarinen

Janne Johannes Saarinen (born 28 February 1977, in Espoo) is a retired Finnish footballer.

Career Saarinen started his career as a promising attacking midfielder at HJK Helsinki, making his Veikkausliiga debut in 1993. In 1997, he moved to Swedish giants IFK Göteborg, but never made a breakthrough – partly because of injuries.

After two years he returned to HJK, where he was converted to a left back by the then coach Jyrki Heliskoski. He impressed in his new position, earning a move to Norwegian giants Rosenborg in 2001 for a transfer fee of €800,000.

In 2003, Saarinen moved to 1860 Munich of the German Bundesliga for €500,000, but he was not successful there, and moved to Danish giants FC København in 2004.

Saarinen returned to Finland with home-town club FC Honka for the 2006 season, stating he wanted to play in a more attacking role once more. In 2008 Saarinen joined Allsvenskan club Häcken in Sweden, where he played for two years. On 11 September 2009, Saarinen went back to HJK Helsinki.

International career Saarinen made his debut for the Finnish national team on 16 August 2000 against Norway. He was Finland's first choice left back for most of the first half of the 2000s.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours HJK Helsinki Finnish Cup: 1993, 1996, 2000 Veikkausliiga: 2010

Rosenborg Tippeligaen: 2001, 2002, 2003

FC Copenhagen Danish Super Cup: 2004 Royal League: 2004–05 Danish Superliga: 2005–06