Pertti Alaja facts for kids
Pertti Johannes Alaja (born 18 February 1952 – died 18 August 2017) was a famous Finnish footballer. He was born in Helsinki, Finland. Pertti Alaja played as a goalkeeper, which means he was the player who protected the goal from the opposing team. He was known for his skills on the field.
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Pertti Alaja: A Finnish Football Legend
Early Life and Goalkeeping Career
Pertti Alaja started his football journey in Finland. He played for several well-known teams. These included HJK Helsinki, Haka, and Oulun Työväen Palloilijat. His talent as a goalkeeper was clear to everyone.
He also played football outside of Finland. He joined teams like Ikast in Denmark. He also played for the Edmonton Drillers in Canada. Later, he played for Malmö FF in Sweden. Pertti Alaja also proudly represented his country. He played for the Finland national football team.
Leading Finnish Football
After his playing career, Pertti Alaja continued to work in football. He became a very important leader. On 14 October 2012, he was chosen as the 15th president of the Football Association of Finland. This organization helps manage and promote football in Finland. He took over this role from Sauli Niinistö. As president, he worked to make football better for everyone in Finland.
Later Life and Legacy
Pertti Alaja passed away on 18 August 2017. He was 65 years old. He died in Espoo, Finland. He is remembered as a key figure in Finnish football. His contributions as both a player and a leader were very important.
