Football Season Guide

FC Lahti

In


Aatu Hakala (gk) KuPS; Veikka Rättö (gk) Lehdin; Nícolas Gianini Dantas (def) Haka; Väinö Vehkonen (def) Inter Turku; José Müller (def) Famalicao U23; Romaric Yapi (def) free agent; Joel Lehtonen (def) AC Oulu; Yohan Cassubie (mid) free agent; Armend Kabashi (mid) Gnistan; Erik Andersson (mid) Orebro; Momodou Sarr (att) Kolding; Justus Ojanen (att) SJK U21; Neemias (att) Ventforet Kofu;

Out


Abdoulaye Kanté (r) (mid) Brooklyn FC; Manuel Pami (r) (mid) Rustavi; Jonathan Muzinga (r) (att) VPS; Anton Munukka (sp) (gk) SalPA; Casagrande (sp) (def) Sao Bento; Tobias Karkulowski (sp) (def) TPS; Eemil Laamanen (sp) (def) released; Eric Oteng (sp) (mid) B71; Viljami Jokiranta (sp) (mid) Kapylan; Noel Hasa (sp) (mid) Ilves – end of loan; Asaad Babiker (sp) (att) VJS; Joona Tiainen (gk) Oskarshamns; David Oliveira (def) Ilves – on loan; Asla Peltola (mid) AC Oulu – end of loan;

Relegated in 2024 Lahti bounced back up immediately and did that with conviction. Champions of the second tier last season, suffered just 3 defeats in 27 games (17 wins and 7 draws). Portuguese manager Pereira made Lahti very solid defensively, only 30 goals conceded in 2025, and now in his second year in charge the gaffer will need more of the same. Striker Muzinga left after a decent year. Also, the two main inner midfielders Pami and Kante are no longer with the team. Kabashi returns for his second spell at Lahti and should take one of the vacant roles in midfield. He was a key figure last time he played for the club so likely to be used a lot. Lindholm wasn’t scoring much last year so it is a risk relying on him alone up front. Exotic new signing was made from Japan. Neemias arrived. He is injury-prone though and only if Lahti’s medical team can keep him fit he could have a great impact. Playmaker Koskinen was the only Lahti player to reach double digit for goals last term, he had 10, and he remains the main chance-creator. Added depth and experience to their back line but it is yet to be seen how fast all the new players can build synchrony. Lahti enter the season with 13 new signings and only 10 players from the squad that earned the promotion still there.

Target


Staying out of trouble is the primary goal.