Four former Premier League strikers in MLS as Teemu Pukki seals move
Norwich City legend Teemu Pukki has departed Carrow Road after five successful years for a new chapter in MLS, where he will join a host of fellow former Premier League marksmen.
The Finnish forward will head to Minnesota United after scoring 88 times in 210 appearances for the Canaries, having played his part in two successful promotions from the EFL Championship. The 112-time international more than held his own in the Premier League also, reaching double figures in terms of goals during his two campaigns in the promised land.
A move stateside now beckons for the striker after a whirlwind half decade in Norfolk where he scored at a rate only bettered by Chris Sutton and Grant Holt in the top flight. His new club currently sits in 12th place in the MLS Western Conference, sitting three points off Austin FC in the final playoff place.
Having joined MLS back in 2017, the franchise still has a fledgling feel but did reach the playoffs in each of the last five campaigns, after failing to do so during its first couple of terms. The team, which is managed by former Everton hero Adrian Heath, also made the final of the US Open Cup back in 2019 before losing against fellow relative newcomers Atlanta United.
Pukki will certainly be joining MLS at an interesting time in the league's existence, with the arrival of iconic World Cup winner Lionel Messi at Inter Miami having generated headlines around the world. With fellow Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets also joining the Argentinian superstar in South Beach, it is clear that they could become a force in the coming years if they can shake off their current woes.
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Whether the two teams will eventually face off in the MLS Cup Playoffs remains to be seen but the signing of Pukki until 2025 will certainly provide a major boost for the Saint Paul outfit's ultimate ambitions. Manager Heath has spoken of his delight at securing the Finnish attacker's services.
He told Minnesota United's club website: "If you look at his record he’s scored at a high level at every team he’s played for. His goalscoring record in the Premier League, the Championship and the Finnish National Team speaks for itself."
COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 08: Head coach Adrian Heath of Minnesota United walks off the pitch after losing to the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 8, 2019 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)With Pukki having swapped England for the US, Mirror Football has taken a look through some familiar faces from the Premier League who the former Norwich City man may come up against in the coming years. Here are some of the former English top flight strikers plying their trade in MLS...
Christian Benteke
The former Premier League striker had a bit of a journeyman career in England, turning out for Aston Villa before earning a switch to Liverpool and then moving on to Crystal Palace. After 77 goals in 251 appearances in the English top flight, he headed to D.C. United where he turns out under Wayne Rooney. He has scored nine goals in 26 outings in MLS so far.
Javier Hernandez
The ex- Manchester United forward was a firm fan-favourite at Old Trafford and played his part in two league title wins, scoring 37 times in 103 appearances in the Premier League for the Red Devils. A spell at West Ham was less successful but he still scored 16 times in 55 outings in East London. He moved to the US to join the LA Galaxy in 2020 and has an impressive 38 goals from 74 appearances in MLS.
Robin van Persie of Manchester United comes on as a substitute for Javier Hernandez (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Carlos Vela
The Mexican forward failed to really establish himself at Arsenal, making 29 appearances in the Premier League and scoring three times before a loan switch to West Brom yielded two strikes from eight. After six seasons in Spain, the striker headed to Los Angeles FC where he has had resounding success. He has scored 75 times in 136 appearances, being named the league's MVP in 2019 when he scored 34 times.
Kei Kamara
English football supporters may struggle to recall the Sierra Leone star's stint in the Premier League but the MLS stalwart did turn out 11 times for Norwich City, scoring one goal while on loan from Sporting Kansas City. Now of Chicago Fire, he has spent the majority of his career stateside and is one of just 11 players to have scored 100 times in MLS.
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