Ex-Fulham goalkeeper Jesse Joronen loses two teeth on Copenhagen debut, plays on anyway
Joronen endured a painful start to life as Copenhagen's No.1 in Europa League qualifying against Finnish side KuPs on Thursday night
The 26-year-old Finnish goalkeeper started his senior career at Fulham and enjoyed loan spells at a host of lower-league English clubs including Accrington Stanley, Cambridge and Maidenhead United.
But it's been some rise since for Joronen, who completed a €875,000 move to prestigious Superliga club Copenhagen this summer after impressing for league rivals Horsens.
On Thursday night, Joronen got his first taste of European football – and certainly had a debut to remember. In the 88th minute, with Copenhagen seeing out a 1-1 draw at Telia Parken (2-1 on aggregate), he clattered into his own team-mate Denis Vavro and lost two teeth.
But, being the tough guy he evidently is, Joronen played on regardless.
"I lost a couple of teeth, but I'm going to the dentist and it will be fine," the Finn told Copenhagen Sundays.
The second leg finished a goal apiece, meaning Copenhagen will play their second-round qualifying first-leg tie against Icelandic outfit Stjarnan on July 26.
Joronen's name may have already rung a bell: he once scored for Stevenage against Wycombe in October 2015 (below).
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
See also...
Photographer squashed by Mario Mandzukic & Co. given free holiday by Croatia's tourist board
Watford send free replica shirts to fans who attended all 19 Premier League away games last season