Teemu Pukki, Christmas Day's child born in 1990 in Finland, is a forward celebrated for his swift and lethal prowess as a striker, a talent largely on display at HJK in Finland since his return in 2025. Pukki sports the number 20 jersey, capable of intimidating most defenders with his solid stature of 5ft 10in (1.8m) and weighing at about 12st 8lb (80kg).
Pukki's introduction to the world stage was through the humble doorway of KooTeePee in Finland, in 2006. He made his mark in the squad, and his consistent performances led to a lucrative move to Sevilla in 2008 for an estimated sum of £1.4m. Unfortunately, opportunities at Sevilla came sparingly and Pukki sought a return to Finland with HJK in 2010, where he found his scoring boots again.
Impressing in Finland, Pukki attracted Schalke 04 of the 2. Bundesliga in Germany, transferring in 2011 for around £1.4m. Despite decent contributions in betting terms, Pukki found the net less as his tenure in Germany extended.
Then, Pukki found himself whisked to the scenic landscapes of Scotland, joining Celtic for a fee of near £3m in 2013. Despite a promising start with seven strikes in his first season, Pukki's fortunes dwindled in his subsequent campaign. Celtic, known for their ability to incubate talent, witnessed a different side of Pukki. His talent had not waned but the grand stage of Scottish football had overwhelmed the lad.
Pukki found succour in Brondby, Denmark, initially on loan before a permanent move of around £600k in 2015. Here he found his consistent scoring form whilst playing regularly, a combination that formed the crux of his tenure.
In 2018, he found himself whisked to the English Championship with Norwich City. Here Pukki often singled-out as the main contributor, his ability to find the net an undeniable asset for the club, making significant contributions year after year.
However, Pukki would move yet again, this time to the sparkling lights of the States, joining Minnesota United in 2023. Despite a promising start, he decided to return to his roots in Finland with HJK in 2025, a place he had scored some memorable goals previously.
Besides his club commitments, Pukki has also been an impactful part of Finland's national team, playing in several qualifying campaigns and being remembered for scoring crucial goals. Now in the twilight of his career, he continues to leave his mark both domestically and on the international stage.
