{"id":273780,"first_name":"Aatu","last_name":"Hakala","short_name":"A. Hakala","common_name":"Aatu Hakala","place_of_birth":null,"gender":"male","height":182,"weight":0,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T11:00:23.718Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T14:46:41.811Z","locale":"en","age":24,"stb_id":"aatu-hakala","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Aatu Hakala","top_position":null,"introduction":"**Aatu Aabraham Hakala** is a Finnish footbal goalkeeper who currently defends the net for \"Kuopion PS\" in Finland's premier division, Veikkausliiga. Born on July 28, 2000 in Vantaa, Finland, the 182cm tall shot-stopper has quietly established himself as a reliable presence between the sticks in Finnish domestic football. Hakala's journey through the ranks of Finnish football demonstrates a player who has consistently progresed through dedication and hard work. His move to KuPS in late 2023 marked an important step in his developing career.","early_life_and_career":"Hakala's footballing journey began in the youth teams of Legirus Inter and TiPS in his hometown of Vantaa. Like many young keepers, he spent his formative years learning the fundamentals while playin in youth competitions. His first significant break came in 2018 when he joined \"Gnistan\" in the third-tier Kakkonen division. This move to Gnistan proved crucial for his development. The young keeper gained valuable experience at Gnistan, experiencing consistent playin time that helped refine his skills between the posts. Hakala's time in the lower leagues wasnt just about participation - he contributed to Gnistan's success in winning the Kakkonen Group B in 2019, an early achievement in his young career.","professional_career_and_highlights":"After demonstrating his potential in the lower divisions, Hakala made the jump to a higher level by signing with \"FC Haka\" in 2021. This move represented a significant step up as he joined a more established club competing in the Veikkausliiga. At Haka, Hakala didn't just make up the numbers. He quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, showing maturity beyond his years. His performances didnt go unnoticed. In November 2023, \"Kuopion PS\" - one of Finland's more prominent clubs - secured his services on a two-year contract beginning in 2024. The transfer to KuPS was seen as recognition of his developing skills and potential. Though Hakala joined a championship-winning side, he initially played second fiddle to Johannes Kreidl who served as the primary goalkeeper. Nevertheless, he's been part of KuPS's success, contributing to their Veikkausliiga championship and Finnish Cup triumph in 2024.","playing_style_and_skills":"As a modern keeper standing at 182cm, Hakala combines solid fundamentals with the agility required at the top level. His command of the box has developed significantly since his early days at Gnistan. Hakala's distribution skills allow his yeam to build from the back - a valuable asset in today's game. Between the sticks, he demonstrates good reflexes and positioning, often making difficult saves look routine. What sets Hakala apart is his mental fortitude and ability to maintain concentration throughout the 90 minutes. He reads the game well for a keeper of his age and experience. Like many Finnish keepers, he's comfortable in dealing with high balls and set pieces, showing good decision-making on when to come for crosses. His communication with the backline has become more assertive as he's gained experience at the top level.","notable_achievements":"Despite his young age, Hakala already has several notable achievements to his name. His first taste of success came with winning the Kakkonen Group B in 2019 with Gnistan. After moving to the top flight, he has accumulated sixty-two Veikkausliiga matches - a significant milestone for a keeper still in the early stages of his career. The 2024 season proved particularly fruitful as he was part of the \"Kuopion PS\" squad that claimed both the Veikkausliiga championship and the Finnish Cup. Though not always the first-choice keeper, being part of such a successful squad represents a valuable experience in his development. His consistant performances have helped him build a reputation as one of the promising young goalkeepers in Finnish football.","impact_on_sport":"While still developing his career, Hakala represents the new generation of Finnish goalkeepers looking to make their mark. His progression from the third-tier to becoming part of a championship-winning squad in the Veikkausliiga demonstrates the development path available to talented Finnish players. For \"Kuopion PS\", Hakala provides valuable depth in the goalkeeper position, ensuring the club has quality options between the posts. Though currently behind Johannes Kreidl in the pecking order, his presence pushes standards higher within the squad. As one of the younger keepers in the Veikkausliiga with 62 top-flight appearances already, Hakala stands as an example for aspiring goalkeepers in the Finnish youth system. His career trajectory shows how consistent performances at lower levels can lead to opportunities at more prestigious clubs. With time still on his side, the Vantaa-born keeper has the potential to further establish himself in Finnish football in the coming yeers.","stb_internal_id":"01930648-51ef-7f26-bcde-3fec04086437","overrides":null,"type_code":"goalkeeper","position_type_code":"goalkeeper","detailed_position_type_code":null,"roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Aatu Aabraham Hakala is a Finnish footbal goalkeeper who currently defends the net for \"Kuopion PS\" in Finland's premier division, Veikkausliiga. Born on July 28, 2000 in Vantaa, Finland, the 182cm tall shot-stopper has quietly established himself as a reliable presence between the sticks in Finnish domestic football. Hakala's journey through the ranks of Finnish football demonstrates a player who has consistently progresed through dedication and hard work. His move to KuPS in late 2023 marked an important step in his developing career.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Hakala's footballing journey began in the youth teams of Legirus Inter and TiPS in his hometown of Vantaa. Like many young keepers, he spent his formative years learning the fundamentals while playin in youth competitions. His first significant break came in 2018 when he joined \"Gnistan\" in the third-tier Kakkonen division. This move to Gnistan proved crucial for his development. The young keeper gained valuable experience at Gnistan, experiencing consistent playin time that helped refine his skills between the posts. Hakala's time in the lower leagues wasnt just about participation - he contributed to Gnistan's success in winning the Kakkonen Group B in 2019, an early achievement in his young career.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

After demonstrating his potential in the lower divisions, Hakala made the jump to a higher level by signing with \"FC Haka\" in 2021. This move represented a significant step up as he joined a more established club competing in the Veikkausliiga. At Haka, Hakala didn't just make up the numbers. He quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, showing maturity beyond his years. His performances didnt go unnoticed. In November 2023, \"Kuopion PS\" - one of Finland's more prominent clubs - secured his services on a two-year contract beginning in 2024. The transfer to KuPS was seen as recognition of his developing skills and potential. Though Hakala joined a championship-winning side, he initially played second fiddle to Johannes Kreidl who served as the primary goalkeeper. Nevertheless, he's been part of KuPS's success, contributing to their Veikkausliiga championship and Finnish Cup triumph in 2024.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

As a modern keeper standing at 182cm, Hakala combines solid fundamentals with the agility required at the top level. His command of the box has developed significantly since his early days at Gnistan. Hakala's distribution skills allow his yeam to build from the back - a valuable asset in today's game. Between the sticks, he demonstrates good reflexes and positioning, often making difficult saves look routine. What sets Hakala apart is his mental fortitude and ability to maintain concentration throughout the 90 minutes. He reads the game well for a keeper of his age and experience. Like many Finnish keepers, he's comfortable in dealing with high balls and set pieces, showing good decision-making on when to come for crosses. His communication with the backline has become more assertive as he's gained experience at the top level.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Despite his young age, Hakala already has several notable achievements to his name. His first taste of success came with winning the Kakkonen Group B in 2019 with Gnistan. After moving to the top flight, he has accumulated sixty-two Veikkausliiga matches - a significant milestone for a keeper still in the early stages of his career. The 2024 season proved particularly fruitful as he was part of the \"Kuopion PS\" squad that claimed both the Veikkausliiga championship and the Finnish Cup. Though not always the first-choice keeper, being part of such a successful squad represents a valuable experience in his development. His consistant performances have helped him build a reputation as one of the promising young goalkeepers in Finnish football.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

While still developing his career, Hakala represents the new generation of Finnish goalkeepers looking to make their mark. His progression from the third-tier to becoming part of a championship-winning squad in the Veikkausliiga demonstrates the development path available to talented Finnish players. For \"Kuopion PS\", Hakala provides valuable depth in the goalkeeper position, ensuring the club has quality options between the posts. Though currently behind Johannes Kreidl in the pecking order, his presence pushes standards higher within the squad. As one of the younger keepers in the Veikkausliiga with 62 top-flight appearances already, Hakala stands as an example for aspiring goalkeepers in the Finnish youth system. His career trajectory shows how consistent performances at lower levels can lead to opportunities at more prestigious clubs. With time still on his side, the Vantaa-born keeper has the potential to further establish himself in Finnish football in the coming yeers.

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Aatu Hakala: Career