Hartikainen’s new club is FC Rosengård in Malmö. The contract lasts until the 2026 season.
Keijo Salokangas,
Jaakko Servo
Leaving the Kuopio Football Club Anni Hartikainen career continues in the Swedish premier league. Hartikainen will move to FC Rosengård from Malmö, which plays in the Damallsvenskan. The club says on its website that Hartikainen’s contract lasts until the 2026 season.
The player tells Urheilu that he is excited about the transfer and is looking forward to the upcoming season.
– It was the most convincing option for me and they offered me a big role in the team. I also fit well with their style of play, so it was an easy decision. I hope to play big game minutes. It’s also great to be able to play against tougher opponents.
Rosengård’s sports director Therese Sjögran describes Hartikai as one of Finland’s greatest talents, who already plays in a very mature way.
– He is a modern full-back with attacking qualities that suit us well, says Sjögran.
Rosengård has won the Damallsvenskan 13 times, the Swedish Cup six times, the Supercup four times and is ranked as the 13th best team in Europe. The team is participating in the group stage of the Champions League. The other teams in the group are Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Barcelona and SL Benfica.
The midfielder of the Finnish national team also plays in FC Rosengård Ria Öling. He has been playing in Rosengård since the 2021 season.
– Ria and I have talked about what it’s like in Rosengård, and it has sounded good. I’m leaving for Sweden in the first week of January. The team’s training starts on January 8, when I will also be there myself.
Last season, the team finished seventh in the regular season, despite the tough goals. Hartikainen is hungry for success next season.
– The season that ended did not go as it should have, so of course the team’s goal is to win the championship. The purpose is also to get to play in the Champions League and do well there as well.
Surveys from several different countries
20-year-old Hartikainen says that the contacts came from several different countries. In the end, however, Rosengård was an easy choice.
– There were offers from the USA, Spain, Scotland and other Swedish teams as well, but in the end Rosengård was the clear choice.
In Kuopio Palloseura’s press release, Hartikainen thanks the KuPS family for his time in the club and in Kuopio.
– The supporters, the team and my own family have supported and believed in me since the beginning. KuPS has created a good environment to grow as a player and as a person. Now is the time to take the next step in your career, thanks Hartikainen.
Hartikainen played his league debut at KuPS in 2019 and joined the national team in the summer of 2023. He was named National League Player of the Year last season.
Story edited at 14:16. Added Anni Hartikainen’s comments.