Kristian Yli-Hietanen

Kristian Yli-Hietanen (born 31 May 1996) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a forward. Yli-Hietanen holds a dual Finnish-Canadian citizenship.

Early life Born in Tampere, Finland, Yli-Hietanen began playing youth soccer with Ilves, In 2007, he moved to North Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada with his family, After graduating high school at Sutherland Secondary School, he was not recruited by any university programs and began working construction as a labourer and a painter. In February 2016, he decided to transfer to Simon Fraser University, however, he ultimately remained with Capilano instead for 2016. In 2016, they repeated as PACWEST Gold medalists and won the CCAA bronze medal. While in university, he also played amateur senior soccer with Rino's Tigers in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League from 2017 to 2019.

Club career In 2017, he played for TSS FC Rovers in the Premier Development League. He would return to TSS FC for the 2019 season, scoring once in seven appearances.

In 2020, he returned to Finland, signing with Tampereen Pallo-Veikot (TPV) of the third tier Kakkonen.

In 2021, Yli-Hietanen approached Reipas Lahti and went on trial with them, where he was recommended to the top tier side FC Lahti, where he signed a contract. He scored his first goal in a 2021 Finnish Cup match against KTP on February 13.

In 2022, he joined KäPa in Kakkonen.

On 9 January 2023, it was announced that Yli-Hietanen had signed a 1+1 year contract with FC Haka in the Veikkauslliga.

On 14 July 2023, Yli-Hietanen rejoined Ykkönen club KäPa on a contract for the rest of the season.

On 15 January 2024, Yli-Hietanen signed with newly promoted Veikkausliiga club IF Gnistan on a one-year deal.

Career statistics