Paulus Arajuuri


Paulus Verneri Arajuuri is a Finnish professional footballer, who plays as a centre back for Pafos in the Cypriot First Division and the Finland national team. He began his senior club career playing for FC Espoo, before making his Veikkausliiga debut with Honka at age 18 in 2006.
Arajuuri made his international debut for Finland in January 2010, at the age of 21.

Club career

FC Espoo

Arajuuri made his debut on senior level in the ranks of FC Espoo during season 2005. He gained 8 caps and scored one goal.

Honka

During season 2006 he made his debut in the Veikkausliiga with FC Honka against rivals HJK Helsinki. During the season, he was loaned back to FC Espoo for 8 matches.

Klubi 04

For the season 2007 he joined HJK Helsinki. He did not make any appearances in the first team, but spent the whole season playing for the reserve team Klubi 04 in the Ykkönen.

IFK Mariehamn

Originally from Helsinki, Arajuuri moved to the Åland Islands and IFK Mariehamn in 2008. During his first season with IFK Mariehamn, he participated in all except two games, making it a total of 24 appearances.
During the summer of 2009, Arajuuri was frequently linked with a move to Sweden, especially to Djurgårdens IF. Arajuuri's player agent, Jonas Wirmola, admitted to one of the major newspapers of Åland that Djurgården and several other clubs had shown interest in the young Finnish defender.

Kalmar FF

Eventually, Arajuuri signed a four-year deal with the Swedish champions of 2008, Kalmar FF on 24 September 2009.
Arajuuri netted his first league goals for Kalmar FF home against GAIS on 23 June 2011. He scored twice to help the Småland club earn a 2–1 victory.

Lech Poznań

On 1 January 2014, Arajuuri signed for Polish side Lech Poznań.

Brøndby IF

On 7 July 2016, Arajuuri signed for Brøndby IF.

International career

Finland youth teams

Arajuuri made his debut in the Finland national under-21 football team in a friendly against Poland in Jyväskylä on 3 June 2008. Arajuuri was called up to represent Finland in the U-21 national team qualifiers for the 2011 U-21 Euros. He was a part of the squad that faced the Netherlands and Poland in September 2009, and since that become a regular. Arajuuri has also represented Finland's U-23 national team in the International Challenge Trophy.

Finland first team

Arajuuri earned his first cap for Finland in a friendly against South Korea on 18 January 2010 in Málaga, Spain. He came on as a substitute in the 84th minute. He scored his first goal for the national team on 11 October 2015 in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualification match against Northern Ireland.

Career statistics

Club

1 Including Polish SuperCup.

International

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 October 2015Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland1–11–1UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying
2.5 September 2016Veritas Stadion, Turku, Finland1–01–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.9 October 2017Veritas Stadion, Turku, Finland1–12–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours and achievements

Club

Lech Poznań
Brøndby IF