Matti Peltolaa, 21, is projected to be a crucial player for the Finnish men’s national football team in the coming years. After his tenure with HJK, he opted for DC United from a range of choices and departed for the North American MLS league, which kicks off this week. His career decision was unexpected for many football enthusiasts.
Leesburg, Virginia
Transfers of intriguing players are a rarity in Finnish football. Matti Peltola is seen as the most promising player of his generation and is predicted to be a pivotal player for the national team for several years.
Following the conclusion of Peltola’s contract with his original club, Helsinki Football Club, last season, he signed a deal with DC United, a team in the North American MLS league, in early February.
Despite being only 21, Peltola’s decision to join the MLS instead of leagues in larger European football countries has caused a stir among football fans and analysts. His decision was met with disappointment from some, including former DC United player Markus Halsti.
Expressing his understanding of the reactions, Peltola feels that such disappointment would have been surprising. Despite the MLS’s reputation as a retirement league for European stars, he believes it is underrated, based on his discussions with several players who have participated in it.
The MLS now features fewer fading European stars and more emerging talents from the American continent, even attracting players to Europe with substantial transfer fees. This signifies a shift towards a more competitive league.
Undeniably, Peltola’s move from the domestic Veikkausliiga to a highly competitive league like the MLS is a significant leap. He is expected to play as a defensive midfielder for DC United, with the possibility of occasional substitutions.
Although Peltola received offers from several leagues, including those in major European football countries, none were from the top clubs in the toughest leagues. He emphasizes his decision was based on the feeling of being wanted and valued by the new team.
DC United clearly expressed their plans for Peltola, designating him as one of the three key players, or designated players (DP), whose full salaries do not affect the budget, thus allowing them to be paid more. This is made possible by the Beckham rule, aimed at attracting world-class players to the league.
Due to his age, Peltola is considered a young key player (YDP), straining the budget by only $200,000, though his actual salary is significantly higher. He admits that the salary was a contributing factor in his decision.
While Peltola has signed a four-season contract with an option for a fifth season with DC United, he does not intend to spend the remainder of his career in America. He sees DC United as a stepping stone towards greater heights. Even if he fulfills his contract, his best years as a footballer would likely still be ahead.
As the new MLS season approaches, Peltola has had limited time to familiarize himself with his new surroundings. He had only one or two training sessions with the team before his first match and has just recently moved out of his hotel into a room in Reston, located midway between the training center and the Audi Field stadium.
Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new league and lifestyle, Peltola is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play against Lionel Messi, a player he greatly admires, in the fourth round of the season.
