Teemu Pukki

  • Years with Minnesota United: 2023–2024 (joined July 2023; departed January 2025)
  • Position: Forward (centre-forward/striker)
  • Nationality: Finnish
  • Acquisition: Signed by Minnesota United FC as a Designated Player on June 27, 2023.

Teemu Pukki is one of the most high-profile signings in Minnesota United FC history, bringing a reputation as a clinical striker and a Finnish football legend. He spent a year and a half in Minnesota before returning home to Finland to be closer to his family.

Key stats with Minnesota United (MNUFC):

  • MLS regular season appearances: 41
  • MLS regular season goals: 14
  • Total club appearances (all competitions): 43
  • Total club goals (all competitions): 14
  • Departure: Transferred to HJK Helsinki in Finland on January 24, 2025, with MNUFC using a contract buyout to facilitate the move.
  • Club record: Scored four goals in a single match against the LA Galaxy on Decision Day 2023, setting the Minnesota United MLS record.

Memorable moments and honors (Overall career):

  • Finnish legend: The all-time top goalscorer for the Finland Senior National Team (42 goals).
  • International retirement: Officially retired from the Finnish National Team in November 2025 after his final international matches against Malta and Andorra.
  • Golden Boot winner: Won the 2018–19 EFL Championship Golden Boot (29 goals) and was named the EFL Championship Player of the Season while at Norwich City.
  • European Championship: Led Finland to its first-ever major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2020.
  • Finnish player of the year: Named the Finnish Footballer of the Year a record five times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
  • Domestic champion: Won the Finnish Cup (Suomen Cup) in 2025 with HJK Helsinki.

Where is he now?:

  • Teemu Pukki is currently an active Forward for HJK Helsinki in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.
  • He joined HJK in January 2025 and is contracted with the club through the 2026 season.