Gabriel Oksanen (born 22 September 2006) is a Finnish professional football player who plays as a right back for Veikkausliiga club SJK Seinäjoki and the Finland under-18 national team.[1]

Gabriel Oksanen
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-09-22) 22 September 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth San Diego, United States
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
SJK Seinäjoki
Number 35
Youth career
0000–2021 San Diego Surf
2021–2022 Philadelphia Union
2022–2023 Real Salt Lake
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Real Monarchs 6 (0)
2024– SJK II 20 (0)
2024– SJK 4 (0)
International career
2022–2023 Finland U17 6 (0)
2023– Finland U18 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 June 2024

Club career

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Oksanen played for San Diego Surf in his youth, before he was scouted by Philadelphia Union at the age of 14, and later joined their academy. In the early 2022, he moved to Real Salt Lake organisation, and since then he has played in 6 league matches for the club's reserve team Real Monarchs in MLS Next Pro.[2]

In July 2023, Oksanen was one of the three Real Salt Lake academy players to trial with Danish club Brøndby IF.[3][4]

On 14 November 2023, it was reported in Finnish media that Oksanen is close to sign with Finnish club SJK Seinäjoki, playing in the premier division Veikkausliiga.[5] On 21 November 2023, SJK confirmed the signing of Oksanen.[6] He will be registered to the club's academy squad SJK Akatemia. The team will compete in the inaugural season of the newly established second-tier Ykkösliiga, starting in 2024. On 6 September, his deal with SJK was extended for two years with a one-year option.[7] He debuted in Veikkausliiga with SJK first team on 20 September, in a 3–0 away win against Haka.[8]

International career

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Oksanen has represented Finland at under-17 youth national team level.[9] On 31 October 2023, he was called up to Finland under-18 national team for two friendly matches against Austria.[10][11]

Personal life

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Born and raised in the United States, Oksanen holds dual Finnish-American citizenship. His father is a Finnish former professional snowboarder Jussi Oksanen, and his mother is English.[12] Oksanen is eligible to represent Finland, England and United States, and has opted to represent Finland at youth national team level.[13]

Career statistics

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As of 2 November 2024.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Monarchs 2022 MLS Next Pro 3 0 3 0
2023 MLS Next Pro 3 0 3 0
Total 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
SJK Akatemia 2024 Ykkösliiga 20 0 0 0 4 0 25 0
SJK 2024 Veikkausliiga 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Career total 29 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 34 0
  1. ^ Includes Suomen Cup
  2. ^ Includes Ykkösliigacup

References

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