FORMER Wanderers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has retired from playing duties to concentrate on coaching.
The 42-year-old Finn is currently in India, where he was signed in a player-coach capacity by Super League outfit Atletico Kolkata, currently managed by Teddy Sheringham.
Signed by Colin Todd from VPS for just £100,000 in 1997, Jaaskelainen went on to become one of Wanderers’ greatest-ever goalkeepers, his 530 appearances in all competitions putting him fifth on Bolton’s all-time list.
In all, he played 638 games for Bolton, West Ham and Wigan Athletic, including more than 400 in the Premier League.
Reports this morning incorrectly suggested he had been released by ATK – and The Bolton News understands Jaaskelainen will remain at the club until the end of his contract in May.
Jaaskelainen has stepped aside to allow ATK to sign two extra foreign players, with league rules limiting them to eight in total, and only five in a match-day squad.
"Taking a job at ATK has given me a great opportunity to start my goalkeeper coaching career," he told us. "It has given me lots of experience and I am looking forward to the future in football as a coach."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel