ISL: Hyderabad FC sign Finnish midfielder Petteri Pennanen on one-year deal

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Hyderabad FC has completed the signing of Finnish midfielder Petteri Pennanen on a one-year contract, the club announced on Sunday.

The 32-year-old central midfielder will be signed from Finnish side Tampereen Ilves, where he made 12 appearances in the Finnish Veikkausliiga 2023 – the Finnish top flight. The ‘Nizams’ had triggered a contract clause for a pre-agreed fee, as per sources, making him the third overseas signing for the ISL team.

Hyderabad FC new boy Pennanen a serial winner; captained former side

Pennanen has over 380 appearances across leagues in the Netherlands, Poland, Indonesia, and the US, as well as his native Finland. The midfielder has spent the majority in Finland, playing in over 300 matches across divisions in the country.

His strong performances have made him a part of the Team of the Year in the Veikkausliiga for consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. He was also named the Veikkausliiga’s Midfielder of the Year in 2018, 2019, and 2022, and has captained his former side Tampereen Ilves.

He has also had a taste of international football, having been capped once for the Finland national team, making his debut against Sweden in a friendly in 2013.

‘I will give everything’: Pennanen on helping new team

Ahead of the 2023-24 ISL campaign, Petteri Pennanen said that he would like to make an impact in Indian football straight away.

“I promise I will give everything I have every single moment I step on the field. I like to keep the ball and my biggest strength is my passing and I hope I can add a few goals as well to my game,” the Finnish midfielder said in a press release by Hyderabad FC.