Finnish winger Topi Keskinen has joined Aberdeen from HJK Helsinki.

The 21-year-old, one of the hottest prospects in Nordic football, has penned a four-year deal with the Dons following the clubs agreeing a transfer fee.

The pacy wide man had numerous options in both central Europe and North America but has signed up to be Jimmy Thelin’s sixth new recruit of the summer window.

Securing this signing aligns with AFC’s aim to be the best developer of talent in Scotland and has been made possible by the AberDNA initiative, which has reached a record number of members this year.

Manager Jimmy Thelin said this of his latest signing:

“Topi is a really exciting young talent who we believe will add some real quality to our side here at Aberdeen.

“His arrival will strengthen our options in the forward areas and he has all the attributes to be a big success at this football club. His pace, creativity and also the fight and determination he shows will make him a major asset for the team.

“We believe this will be the perfect environment for Topi to continue his development and help him achieve international recognition.”

Keskinen will be a familiar name to the Dons faithful, having lined up twice against Aberdeen in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stages last year.

Before that though, he started his career with Mikkelin Palloilijat in the Ykkösliiga, making his debut as a 17-year-old against MyPa-47 in the Suomen Cup. Despite his youth, he went on to make 79 appearances, scoring 15 goals and assisting 10.

That form caught the eye of the Finnish champions and he moved to HJK in the summer of 2023.

He had an outstanding debut season for Klubi, managing 44 games, including 14 in European competition, scoring seven times and assisting eight.

He team won the Veikkausliiga title, the Liigacup and Topi was named the Veikkausliiga ‘Rookie of the Year’ for 2023, together with the HJK Supporters Player of the Year.

He had continued that form into 2024, where he already notched seven goals and two assists in 23 appearances this season as HJK battle to retain their league title.

The Dons new winger spoke to RedTV a short time ago.

“It feels very good to be here. It feels really good to get everything sorted.

“From playing against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last season, I remember when we had matchday minus one, I said to my team mates at the time this is a real football stadium. The atmosphere was amazing. I remember it being super nice. It was a great stadium to play in.

“My first impressions of Aberdeen FC and the training ground are very good. Everything is very professional. Everything is done properly.

“I would say that I am a really aggressive player, an attacking winger who likes one v one situations, and also running behind the lines. I am a player who always gives my all.

“Scoring goals is the best part of playing football. And hopefully I can chip in with some goals for Aberdeen, but I always like to create chances for my teammates, that is what I do.

“I am just looking forward to meeting all the fans at the stadium. Hopefully we will have some nice moments together and I will score some goals so we can celebrate together. That is what I want.”

We would like to thank HJK Helsinki for their assistance with this transfer.

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