Galway United sign Tomi Saarelma

League Cup finalists Galway United have this week announced the signing of Tomi Saarelma from FC Lahti.

A former Finland youth international, he also boasts a stint with Chelsea’s youth team on his resume and has played in many different countries including Estonia, Switzerland, Germany and, of course, his native Finland.

Primarily a winger, the 26-year-old’s pace and experience on the ball could prove key as the injury-plagued Tribesmen look to boost their ranks with the season edging ever closer.

Having become embroiled in a relegation battle, Tommy Dunne’s men won’t want to go straight back down to the First Division having battled so hard to gain promotion back in 2014, and Saarelma could prove pivotal to their efforts.

Speaking to galwayunitedfc.ie after his arrival on the west coast the wide-man spoke about his desire to get stuck in at Eamonn Deacy Park.

"I haven't played so many games recently because I've been injured but I'm ready to play now, that's why I'm here. Match sharpness will come.

"I'm really looking forward to the Cup Final [vs. St Patrick’s Athletic] in the middle of this month, it would be huge to help the team. It's what football is all about for me. It would be amazing to help the club to win its first Cup in a long time.

"For now I'm concentrating on Longford Town on Saturday and I can't wait to get started at Galway United," the Finn concluded.

Indeed, it’s possible Saarelma could make an appearance against the Town in the league and if he can make a good impression straight away with a goal like this one he scored for FC Lahti a few months ago, it won’t be long before the fans are cheering his name from the rafters.