Preparing for the upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tournament in Denmark, Gintra of Šiauliai are strengthening their squad. The yellow and blacks have signed 23-year-old Finn Anni Hakasalo, an attacking midfielder. She will wear number 20 and has signed until the end of the season.
A. Hakasalo began playing at seven in her hometown of Kankaanpää, spending six years in a boys' team. She later moved to a girls' team in a neighbouring town, then represented Pallo-Iirot's women's team in Rauma. She subsequently signed her first professional contract and spent three seasons at Åland United, one of Finland's strongest clubs. Last year she moved abroad for the first time, joining Vicenza WFC in Italy.
The newcomer says former Gintra players' recommendations helped her decide to move to Šiauliai.
'One of the main reasons I decided to join Gintra was speaking with former players Monica Hagström and Silja Jaatinen. They spoke extremely highly of the club, so I was excited to take on this new challenge, see what the environment could offer my development and discover how much I could contribute,' A. Hakasalo said after her first training session.
The Finn usually plays in central midfield, preferring the number-eight and number-ten roles. She identifies energy, work rate and attacking play as her strengths.
'I am a hard-working, energetic player. I believe dedication produces results. One of my greatest strengths is seeing my teammates when I have the ball, making accurate passes and finishing attacks myself, particularly from crosses. I want to help Gintra win another Lithuanian title, regain the Baltic League trophy and do as well as possible in Europe. I have watched several of the team's matches this season, and we play solid, high-quality football. I hope the second half of the season will be successful, that we can enjoy our football and see more and more supporters in the stands,' she said.
Club Director Mantas Radavičius welcomed another ambitious footballer to the squad.
'Anni already has international experience and has played in different football environments. We believe her energy, versatility and attacking ability will give the team extra options. We are also pleased that positive recommendations from former players helped her decision. It shows we are moving in the right direction: positive relationships with players and trust are important parts of our organisation's overall identity,' M. Radavičius said.
The UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tournament in Køge, Denmark, takes place on 5–8 August. The draw placed Šiauliai's women's team with Scottish champions Hearts of Edinburgh, Danish champions HB Køge and the team progressing from Group 3 of the first qualifying round. Four teams are competing for that place, including Latvian champions Riga FC, who have already reached their first-round qualifying final.
Gintra face Hearts in the qualifying semi-final, while HB Køge meet the team progressing from the first qualifying round in the other semi-final.
