KuPS CEO Tomi Erola estimates that Matias Siltanen made a sensible choice when he moved under the familiar coach, Jani Honkavaara.
CEO of Kuopio Palloseura Tomi Erola believes that Djurgården, which plays in the Swedish premier league Allsvenskan, is a suitable step for the top talent from Kuopio Matias Siltanen career.
Football’s dominant men’s Finnish champion KuPS and Djurgården reached an agreement yesterday on the transfer of the 17-year-old midfielder. The teams do not disclose the transfer amount, but according to various sources it is more than one million euros.
The amount is one of the largest transfer fees paid for Veikkausliiga players.
Siltanen will be able to continue in familiar coaching, as last season’s champion pilot of KuPS, Jani Honkavaara, is Djurgården’s head coach. Erola believes that there are good opportunities to get regular playing time in Sweden.
– That is, first step to Sweden and from there to one of the five biggest leagues in Europe. At least that’s what I believe, if there are no major injuries, says Erola.
Siltanen’s transfer is also significant for KuPS’s goal to restore the club’s finances. KuPS oy has made heavy losses in recent years, which have largely been offset by the main owner Ari Lahten from the wallet.
For example, in the financial period ending at the end of 2023, a loss of almost two million euros was accumulated. Last year, Erola estimated in December For Savon Sanomatthat the loss is already well below one million euros.
Erola started as CEO of KuPS oy just over a year ago. The goal was for the club to break even within two years.
– I believe that only with this transfer of Matias will we get there. For us, such things are comparable to winning the lottery.