Litmanen's hometown happiness

Finland national team captain Jari Litmanen has returned home to join FC Lahti.

One-year contract
Having cancelled his AFC Ajax contract by mutual consent last Friday, Litmanen has signed a one-year contract with his hometown club 12 years after leaving domestic football for his first spell in Amsterdam.

Huge boost
Although the return of Litmanen is a huge boost to Lahti and the whole of the Finnish Veikkausliiga, the forward himself remained modest about his return. "The team has been built without me and I'm not going to take anyone's place," he said. "I will be more like an additional piece of the squad. I have to get acquainted with the squad and vice versa.

'Back in the rhythm'
"Moreover, I haven't played a lot lately because of injuries, so it will take some time to get back in the rhythm." There were natural reasons for Litmanen to opt for Lahti. After several years abroad a return to the familiar surroundings of his hometown appealed greatly. "The most important thing now is to gain full fitness," he said. "After 12 years abroad it's good to train well and also relax a little in Lahti."

Senior career
The 33-year old playmaker is without doubt the best-known Finnish footballer of all time. He started his senior career with Lahti-based club Reipas and also enjoyed spells with HJK Helsinki and Myllykosken Pallo-47 before earning a move to Ajax in 1992.

Ajax success
A fundamental member of the memorable Ajax team of the mid-1990s, his most successful year was 1995, when he helped the Amsterdam club to the domestic championship, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the European/South American Cup.

Long-awaited return
Later, he had spells with FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC before returning to Ajax. Litmanen made his long-awaited return from injury for Finland last week, scoring in the 2-1 friendly victory against Malta, after shaking off an ankle problem.

Return date
Litmanen's first domestic club appearance in 12 years is likely to come in the Finnish League Cup final on 2 May when Lahti take on AC Allianssi. The new Veikkausliiga season starts on 6 May.