Teemu Pukin arrival at his new MLS club Minnesota United has been noted stateside. Governor of Minnesota Tim Waltz on Friday declared the date 7 July 2023 as “Finnesota” day, inspired by the Finnish attacker.
More than 100,000 people with Finnish ancestry live in the state.
– Minnesota should celebrate the acquisition of a player who has earned his promotion at the international level. As a welcome to Mr. Puki and his home country of Finland, we declare today Finnesota Day, the governor wrote in his decision, which has been shared with the Minnesota with a Twitter account.
Bukki was also praised at the press conference organized on Friday evening Finnish time, where he was officially introduced.
From the Technical Director of Minnesota United From Mark Watson was asked how big an acquisition Pukki is in the history of the club.
– Financially as well Emanuel Reynoson the acquisition was big, but if you think about the player’s importance and experience, we have a world-class elite finisher. This is the biggest acquisition in the club’s history, Watson emphasized.
Minnesota acquired the Argentinian forward Reynoso in the fall of 2020. He still represents Minnesota.
Pukki moved to the club with a so-called designated player contract. The value of the player’s entire contract does not count against the $5.2 million salary cap that MLS clubs use.
The head coach of the team Adrian Heath said that he had a conversation with his old friend, who is the assistant technical director of Puki’s former club Norwich.
– It said a lot that they wanted to keep Teemu, who had already been with them for five years. He’s a guy who gives his all every single day. That’s been clear since the first time we talked to him, Heath said.
Heath said that the Huhkajie head coach also discussed Puki Markku Kanervan with.
Goals are expected
Minnesota is 11th in the MLS Western Conference. There are 14 teams playing in the conference. However, the road to the playoffs is only one point away.
Minnesota has suffered from poor finishing, scoring 21 goals in 19 games, which is at the tail end of the series. The team has been missing a clear goal scorer by Christian Ramirez after leaving in 2018.
– Now we have a man of the highest level who is able to finish the situations we create. The oldest saying in football is that goals change matches. That’s why attackers pay the most. They greatly influence the team’s success.
Watson reminded that Pukki is capable of many other things besides goals.
– He knows how to hold the ball and involve others in the attack. His number one job is to score goals, but he’s a really good player. In the national team, he had a couple of assists in the last games.
– We want to bring good and hardworking people into the company. Players who contribute to the defense and do everything to the last. He is a perfect fit for the club on the field and fantastic off it.
“Pukki Party” required an explanation
Pukki told the press conference that the national team’s radar pair Robin Lodilla played a key role in the Kotka player’s MLS transfer. Lod also plays in Minnesota. The first discussions took place a couple of years ago.
– He was a go-between before anything happened. The club spoke to him and he asked me if I would be interested in coming. Getting to play with him was a big factor.
In Huuhkaj, the cooperation between Puki and Lodi has worked wonderfully. At the moment, Lod is injured, so the Finns won’t be able to play together right away.
– I can’t wait to play with him, we’ve always had a good connection on and off the field.
Pukki plays in Minnesota from Norwich with the familiar number 22, whose team’s 20-year-old defender Devin Padelford handed over to the Finnish star.
“I had some great times at Norwich with it. The number is my wife’s birthday. In Norwich I had a couple of numbers to choose from. It was the only thing that mattered to me. It felt like it was my own number these days.
– Thanks to Devin who had it before, he gave it to me. I am very grateful for that. He said if I just keep scoring he’ll be happy to give me the number.
At the end of the press conference, Pukki had to explain what the “Pukki Party” saying, repeated especially by Norwich supporters, means.
– I think it started in Denmark. I have nothing to do with it. My name just seems to rhyme well with the word “party”. I guess that means goals and a good feeling in matches. I hope I can help the club and start “Pukki Parties” here as well.
Minnesota will face Austin the night before Sunday at 3:30 Finnish time. Pukki has received an international transfer certificate, so he will likely make his debut in the match.
Puki’s contract lasts until June 2025. It has a club option until December 2025.
Minnesota United introduced Teemu Puk at the press conference Finnish time on Friday evening. Press conference can be found on Youtube.