Sakari Mattila (born 14 July 1989) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a defender. Mattila was born in Tampere, but began his senior club career in Helsinki playing for Klubi-04, before making his league debut for HJK at age 18 in 2008.
Mattila was the captain of the Finnish under-19 national team and made his international senior level debut for Finland in March 2014, at the age of 24 and has since appeared in 2016 UEFA European Championship qualifications and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifications.
Early life Mattila was born in Tampere, Finland, to a Finnish mother and Algerian father.
Club career
HJK Helsinki Before the season 2008, HJK was on a training camp in Marbella and Mattila was spotted by scouts of Sevilla FC and Málaga CF. He was playing on schoolboy terms, but HJK managed to sign a three-year contract with him.HJK Helsinki – Uutisarkisto – Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi
In August 2008, Serie A club Palermo called him up for a week-long trial after scouting him in Helsinki.Mattila Palermon testileirillä – Urheilu – Ilta-Sanomat Just a week after his visit to Palermo, Udinese Calcio called him up for a week-long trial.HJK Helsinki – Uutisarkisto – Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi Before leaving to Udine, Mattila stated that he is ready for a move to Italy.Urheilulehti – Uutisarkisto In October, Iltasanomat told that Udinese had made an offer, but HJK rejected the first bid. The asking price was said to be around 700.000 euros.Udinese teki tarjouksen HJK:n Sakari Mattilasta – Urheilu – Ilta-Sanomat After rumours about his move to Udinese, Mattila stated that he wants to make a career in Italy and was hoping for a move in the next transfer window.HJK:n Mattila toivoo uraa Italiassa – Futis – MTV3.fi
Udinese Calcio In November 2008, he signed a 4.5-year contract with Udinese and joined the club in January 2009. He played with the Primavera team and in July 2009 left on loan for Ascoli.
On 10 August 2010 he was loaned again. This time to AC Bellinzona, playing in the Swiss top level.Sakari Mikael Mattila, comunicato stampa
On 29 July 2012, it was announced that Mattila had joined his former club, HJK, on loan until end of December 2013.HJK lainasi oman kasvattinsa pitkällä sopimuksella (HJK loans their own academy product); - Urheilu - Iltasanomat
Aalesunds FK
On 3 November 2013, it was announced that Mattila has signed a three-year contract with Aalesunds FK in Norway's Tippeligaen.Finsk landslagsspiller klar for AaFK (Finnish National Team Player joins AaFK); - AaFK.no
Fulham FC
On 4 August 2015 Mattila signed for Fulham FC for an undisclosed fee. On 8 August 2016 his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Sønderjyske Elitesport Two days after he terminated his contract with Fulham FC, Matilla signed for SønderjyskE. He signed a three-year contract. Mattila made his Superliga debut on 14 August 2016 in a match against Brøndby when on 64th minute he replaced Adama Guira as a substitute.
Fredrikstad
On 29 July 2018, Mattila signed a contract with Fredrikstad.
International career
He made his debut for the Finland national team on 30 October 2013 in a friendly match in Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego against Mexico. Mattila earned his second cap for Finland on 5 March 2014, in the 2:1 away win over Hungary in a friendly match after coming on as a last minute substitute for Roman Eremenko. Mattila made his UEFA European Championship qualification match debut on 29 March 2015 on Windsor Park when Mixu Paatelainen chose him to the starting eleven for a match against Northern Ireland.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupsEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKlubi 042007Ykkönen20100—201HJK2009Veikkausliiga19400—194Udinese2008–09Serie A0000—00Ascoli (loan)2009–10Serie B11010—120Bellinzona2010–11Swiss Super League25120—2712011–12Swiss Challenge League17210—182Total42330—453HJK2012Veikkausliiga100001Appearances in the Europa League01102013Veikkausliiga205002Appearances in the Champions League0225Total3050030335Aalesund2014Eliteserien25620—2762015Eliteserien12210—132Total37830—408Fulham2015–16Championship6030—90SønderjyskE2016–17Danish Superliga181101Appearances in the Europa League0201Fredrikstad20182. divisjon5000—5020192. divisjon0000—00Total5000—50Fredrikstad 220194. divisjon91——91HIFK2020Veikkausliiga17430–2042021Veikkausliiga21130–2412022Veikkausliiga21130–241Total59690—686Career total256291104028029
International
National teamYearCompetitiveFriendlyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFinland20130010102014003030201550106020161010202017103040Total7090160
Honours and achievements
Club HJK Helsinki Veikkausliiga: 2012, 2013 Finnish Cup: 2008
References
External links
SønderjyskE Fodbold official profile