Kasper Kaan Özden Kairinen

Kasper Kaan Özden Kairinen is a Finnish midfielder known for operating in central areas and helping build play from deep. Born on 22 December 1998, he developed at FC Inter Turku and made his senior Veikkausliiga debut in October 2014, aged 15. He moved to FC Midtjylland in 2016, but limited first-team opportunities led to spells back at Inter Turku and with HJK Helsinki on loan in 2019. Kairinen then joined Lillestrøm, initially on loan in 2020, and helped the club win promotion to Norway’s Eliteserien before the move became permanent. In January 2023, he transferred to Sparta Praha, where his passing, set-piece delivery and defensive reactions supported a deeper playmaking role. He scored in Sparta’s Champions League win over RB Salzburg and also struck a free-kick against VfB Stuttgart. Kairinen is currently listed with AEK Athens FC and has represented Finland internationally.