Randy Edvini-Bonsu | From the second tier to the UCL?

**Kimpero** · 10-17-2011, 12:06 PM

It seems like AC Oulu's Randy Edvini-Bonsu will get some UCL qualifier action next season. Finnish champion HJK is on the verge of signing the young Canadian as a replacement to Teemu Pukki who joined Schalke 04. Randy is in Helsinki for a two-day trial with "Klubi" (en: The Club), but a contract agreement for two years seems already very likely.

Timo Innanen, an expert at a local sports magazine (I'm not a fan of him, but anyway...) says he could be "even better than Pukki", the latter one being one the best Finnish forwards right now and a NT player.

http://www.urheilulehti.fi/jalkapall...pukkia-parempi

**forster01** · 10-17-2011, 12:10 PM

that would be great hopefully he makes it, seems to have a great attitude

**tyler453** · 10-17-2011, 03:42 PM

This could do wonders for Randy. If he can perform as Pukki did at HJK, maybe he could secure a contract with a bundesliga club a few years down the road. This all of course if he can transition his game from 2. Finland to top tier.

**Jeremy** · 10-17-2011, 03:44 PM

Yes! Moving up the ladder.

**Obinna** · 10-17-2011, 04:13 PM

awesome news and just what I had hoped for and expected! If he can do well with them, a recall to the national team may be in order for one of our european friendlies!

**ThiKu** · 10-17-2011, 04:23 PM

Exactly what I've been expecting. He'll likely earn more money playing Finnish Tier 1 than NASL as well, correct???

Good for him and defo you can use Finnish Tier 1 as a ladder to Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland...eastern Europe....

Hope it happens and hope his goal production stays above average!

**Opie** · 10-17-2011, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by ThiKu

Exactly what I've been expecting. He'll likely earn more money playing Finnish Tier 1 than NASL as well, correct??

You are not going to make much in the Veikkausliiga. It is a low paying league. The average salary is 26k to 32k. So he is probably making more than he would in the NASL(Edmonton), but less than he would in MLS(Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver) for instance. And playing at a lower level than D1 in NA.

He is also playing a level below other third tier Euro leagues like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. But it is also a league that can get you into the Bundesliga if you impress. At worst he can bounce around Scandinavia for awhile.

**jpg75** · 10-17-2011, 08:28 PM

Wait, i don't understand. How could this happen? There are football lines on the fields in the Finnish 2nd Division, i thought that automatically meant it was a waste of time to play in that league?

**ThiKu** · 10-18-2011, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Opie

You are not going to make much in the Veikkausliiga. It is a low paying league. The average salary is 26k to 32k. So he is probably making more than he would in the NASL(Edmonton), but less than he would in MLS(Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver) for instance. And playing at a lower level than D1 in NA.

He is also playing a level below other third tier Euro leagues like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. But it is also a league that can get you into the Bundesliga if you impress. At worst he can bounce around Scandinavia for awhile.

Erm, Opie, can you read my post again and then explain why you have not only decided to say "but less than MLS" but then also point out that Finnish Tier 1 is lower than the rest of Scandinavia as if somehow people were suggesting otherwise?

BTW - welcome to the boards!