Emil Jääskeläinen
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emil Jääskeläinen | ||
| Date of birth | 16 March 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Bolton, England | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sporting Club Jacksonville | ||
| Number | 16 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2019 | Blackpool | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | LIU Sharks | 70 | (43) |
| 2024 | Akron Zips | 21 | (23) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2020 | Blackpool | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | → Kendal Town (loan) | 20 | (7) |
| 2020 | Kendal Town | 6 | (1) |
| 2022 | Texas United | 13 | (7) |
| 2023 | FC Motown | ||
| 2025 | St. Louis City SC 2 | 18 | (7) |
| 2026– | Sporting Club Jacksonville | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018 | Finland U18 | 2 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:38, 8 March 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:00, 16 January 2026 (UTC) | |||
Emil Jääskeläinen (born 13 October 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for USL Championship club Sporting Club Jacksonville. Born in England, he is of Finnish descent and represents Finland internationally. He was drafted by St. Louis City SC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
Early life
Jääskeläinen was born in Bolton, England, to Maria and Jussi Jääskeläinen. His father is a former professional goalkeeper who made 530 appearences in the Premier League and earned over 50 caps for the Finland national team. Emil grew up in England and attended Bolton School before moving to the United States to play collegiate soccer.[1]
College career
Long Island Sharks
Jääskeläinen began his college soccer career at Long Island University (LIU), where he played from 2020 to 2023. During his time with the LIU Sharks, he became the program's all-time leader in both goals, with 43, and points, with 100, recorded 15 game‑winning goals, and earned multiple honors including Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year and All‑Region selections. He was also named to the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first team in 2023. While at LIU, Jääskeläinen majored in business management.[1][2][3]
Akron Zips
For his final collegiate season in 2024, he transferred to the University of Akron. As a redshirt senior for the Akron Zips, Jääskeläinen started all 21 matches and led the nation in both goals, scoring 23, and points, totaling 54. His performance earned him unanimous Big East Offensive Player of the Year, First‑Team All‑Big East honors, and a spot as a Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy finalist.[1][4][5]
Club career
St. Louis City SC
Jääskeläinen was drafted by St. Louis City SC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and spent the season playing for their MLS Next Pro side, St. Louis City 2, making 18 appearances and scoring seven goals.[6][7]
Sporting JAX
On 16 January 2026, USL Championship expansion club Sporting JAX announced the addition of Jääskeläinen to their inaugural roster. He joined two other players with previous St. Louis City experience in Dida Armstrong and Christian Olivares.[8]
International career
Jääskeläinen has appeared for Finland's national under-18 football team.[9]
Personal life
Jääskeläinen is the son of Jussi Jääskeläinen, a former professional goalkeeper. His older brother, Will, plays professional football for Woking F.C. of England's National League.[2] Emil has a younger brother, Robin, who has also played for LIU.[10]
Honours
NCAA
LIU Sharks
- Northeast Conference Player of the Year: 2022, 2023[2]
- First-Team All-NEC: 2020–2023[2]
- United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Region: 2021–2023[2]
- First-Team All-ECAC: 2023[2]
Akron Zips
- Unanimous Big East Offensive Player of the Year: 2024[5]
- First-Team All-Big East: 20244[5]
- MAC Hermann Trophy finalist: 20244[5]
- United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Region: 20244[5]
References
- ^ a b c Beaven, Michael (8 November 2024). "Striker Emil Jaaskelainen leads No. 1 seed Akron men's soccer into Big East Tournament". BeaconJournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "9 Emil Jaaskelainen". LIUAthletics.com. Long Island University. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Rubin, Adam (14 December 2023). "Emil Jaaskelainen Selected to All-ECAC First Team as SuperDraft Looms". LIUAthletics.com. Long Island University. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Krall, Annie (7 January 2025). "City SC first round SuperDraft pick, Emil Jaaskelainen, recognized as collegiate Hermann Trophy finalist". KSDK.com. KSDK-TV. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "9 Emil Jaaskelainen". GoZips.com. University of Akron. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Bournival, Brad (20 December 2024). "2025 MLS SuperDraft Akron Zips' Emil Jaaskelainen selected 7th by St. Louis City SC". BeaconJournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Matrix Midwest Staff (27 February 2025). "CITY2 signs 2025 MLS SuperDraft picks Jääskeläinen and Welsh". MatrixMidwest.com. Matrix Midwest. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
- ^ Bunker, Chase. "Sporting JAX adds two players to men's team". ActionNewsJax.com. Cox Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Emil Jaaskelainen – Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "21 Robin Jaaskelainen". LIUAthletics.com. Long Island University. Retrieved 17 January 2026.