Olga Ahtinen: “I’m so proud to wear this jersey”
Wed 16 August 2023, 15:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Olga Ahtinen is excited to get started on a new journey in north London.
Signed from Swedish side Linköpings on Wednesday (16 August), Olga is set to begin a new life in Lilywhite after she signed a two-year-deal with the Club.
A dynamic and progressive midfielder hailing from Finland, the 26-year-old has spent her career to date exclusively playing in Europe’s Nordic region, however a new country, a new league and a new challenge now awaits her as she makes the move to join us in N17 and test herself in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
“I’ve known that I wanted to make this move for a long time, and I give a lot to football, so I’m really happy to be here,” she said in her first SPURSPLAY interview.
“It feels a little bit surreal but I’m really, really happy to be here and excited. The English league has really shown that it’s a high-level league. I think the journey that the team is going to have is a journey I want to be in."
I like to win the ball high up the pitch to be able to create scoring chances.
Describing her style of play, Olga sees herself as something of a connector; a player to link defence and attack.
Add to that her ability to turnover possession, as shown by her stats over the last year - 5.6 interceptions made per 90 minutes across 35 matches last season and 12.91 recoveries in the opposition half per 90 minutes made across nine matches this season - Olga should fit nicely into Head Coach Robert Vilahamn’s high-pressing style of play.
“I’m a central midfielder who likes to link up with the attack and the defence,” she said. “I’m a passer, I would say, who likes to pass with both of my feet. I’d say I’m a hard-working player. I like to win the ball high up the pitch to be able to create scoring chances.”
And of course, Olga isn’t our only progressive midfielder from Finland as we have Eveliina Summanen within our ranks.
Both regulars in the Finland Women’s national team squads, it is not a surprise to hear that the duo know each other well or that Olga reached out to her friend upon making the move to find out more about the team.
“I know Eveliina. We played in the same youth national team and are now playing for the same women’s national team of Finland,” she explained. “ It’s really nice to have Eve here and to get support from her. I’ve spoken to her a little bit.
“I haven’t seen everything yet, but the facilities that I have seen, I’m super impressed with. It’s a big change for me.
“I’m super excited. I’m super proud to wear this jersey and I’m hoping that I’m going to see many of the fans this season.”
