Taavi Aulis Rytkönen (5 January 1929 – 16 April 2014) was a Finnish footballer.[1] He became the country's first professional player when he signed for France's Toulouse FC in 1952.

In total Rytkönen spent eight seasons (1952–1960) in France, winning the French Cup in 1957. A forward, he started his career in Finland with KuPS Kuopio in 1945,[2] and after returning from France he worked as player-coach of HJK Helsinki 1960–1966 and as coach 1967–1971.[3]

Rytkönen earned 37 caps for the Finnish national team, scoring seven goals.[4] He played for Finland at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.[5] He also worked as national coach from 1975 to 1978. He was chosen Finland's Player of the Year in 1949, 1950, and 1952.[6]

Aulis Rytkönen Street in Kuopio. Kuopion keskuskenttä in the background.

References

  1. ^ "Finland mourns pioneering striker Rytkönen". UEFA.com. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  2. ^ KuPS - Kuopion Palloseura Oy Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Veikkausliiga | Aulis Rytkönen 80 vuotta Archived 12 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Finland - International Player Records
  5. ^ "Aulis Rytkönen". Olympedia. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  6. ^ Finland - Player of the Year Awards
  • Barreaud, Marc (1998). Dictionnaire des footballeurs étrangers du championnat professionnel français (1932–1997). L'Harmattan, Paris. ISBN 2-7384-6608-7.
  • Alaja, Erkki (2009). Monsieur magic, Aulis Rytkönen. Teos, Helsinki. ISBN 978-951-851-185-7.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aulis_Rytk%C3%B6nen
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