Jussi happy to remain a Wanderer (From Leigh Journal)

Jussi happy to remain a Wanderer

10:40pm Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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TRANSFER speculation becomes common place when you are a top-rated Premiership performer and Jussi Jaaskelainen has had to deal with more than his share in recent years.

Like every sought-after player, the odds on him ending his long association with Bolton Wanderers shortened each time his contract was due to expire.

Numerous suitors waited in the wings to take advantage of the situation: Aston Villa, Arsenal, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Galatasaray were all listed as being interested at various intervals.

Jaaskelainen always left such issues to his agent on the understanding that, while his family’s financial security was paramount, he was happy and settled in Bolton and had no desire to leave.

But just over a year ago, the Finland international genuinely feared his Wanderers days were over.

He missed the last 10 games of the season with a back injury and, with his contract coming to an end, there was no sign of a new deal.

With Ali Al-Habsi making a big impact as his understudy, there were widespread reports that Jaaskelainen had played his last game in a Bolton shirt and the player himself admits his future was very much in the balance.

“Getting that injury was a big concern for me because it came at an awful time,” he said. “I wouldn’t have a contract at the end of the season and it was 50-50 whether I might need an operation.

“Luckily I got fit and didn’t need the operation. Straight after the last game the chairman came to me and said ‘We have to sort this contract out’ and a week later it was all sorted.

“I left all that to my agent, as I always do, but it was a big thing for me that it was sorted out very quickly.

“I know there was a lot of speculation that I would be moving on, but I never really wanted to go anywhere else.”

Jaaskelainen — voted Player of the Year by readers of The Bolton News — will celebrate 12 years with Wanderers in November, but before that the shy and unassuming Finland international will take centre stage when the Reebok hosts Hibernian for his charity testimonial match on Saturday, August 8.

Three local charities will benefit from his anniversary celebrations, which will include a number of other events. Birtenshaw — the organisation that caters for children with special needs; Paws For Kids — which fosters the pets of women and children who are victims of domestic violence; and the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Millers Nook Riding School were all hand-picked by Jaaskelainen and his wife, Tessa.

“None of them are very well known and they are not big charities, but they are local and they involve children,” Jussi explained.

“Having three boys who were all born in Bolton, these charities are what I feel are closest to me in terms of raising money.

“I just hope the supporters will feel the same.”