Matias Petteri Ojala (born 28 February 1995) is a Finnish footballer, who plays as a midfielder for AC Oulu in 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.AC Oulun Matias Ojalasta historian nuorin Veikkausliigapelaaja (Matias Ojala of AC Oulu, becomes the youngest player ever to make an appearance in Veikkausliiga) ; 12.8.2010; Veikkausliiga.com
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 FAAC Oulu Denied League Licence; 8.2.2011; YLE.fi
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.
Club 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.Matias Ojala Oulusta Saksan Bundesliigaan (Matias Ojala joins Bundesliga side HSV) 27.8.2013; YLE.fi 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.MATIAS OJALA SIIRTYY FC INTERIIN, fcinter.fi, 7 November 2019
On 22 December 2023, Ojala signed with fellow Veikkausliiga side IFK Mariehamn on a one-year deal.Neljä kautta Interissä pelanneen Matias Ojalan ura jatkuu IFK Mariehamnin väreissä – "Hänellä on kaikki eväät ottaa johtava rooli joukkueessa", Turun Sanomat, 22 December 2023
On 3 November 2024, Ojala returned to his hometown Oulu and signed a two-year deal with his former club AC Oulu.MATIAS OJALA PALAA KOTIIN, acoulu.fi, 3 November 2024
Career statistics Matias Ojala stats, Finnish FA + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAC Oulu2010Veikkausliiga1000––102011Ykkönen1920010–2022012Ykkönen18130––2112013Ykkönen21600––2162014Ykkönen71–––712015Ykkönen19140––231Total85117010009311Hamburger SV II (loan)2013–14Regionalliga Nord141–––141PS Kemi2016Veikkausliiga3002000–3202017Veikkausliiga28051––331Total580710000651Ilves2018Veikkausliiga23050–203002019Veikkausliiga13082––212Total3601320020512Inter Turku2020Veikkausliiga14161–102122021Veikkausliiga27550–103352022Veikkausliiga1104040001902023Veikkausliiga2123010–252Total7381815020989IFK Mariehamn2024Veikkausliiga2102150–281AC Oulu2025Veikkausliiga1304040–2102026600061–121Total1984010100331Career total306285152114038226
Honours Ilves Finnish Cup: 2019 Inter Turku Finnish Cup runner-up: 2022 Finnish League Cup runner-up: 2022
References