EXCLUSIVE: Will Jaaskelainen Interview

As the ink was drying on his new two-year contract, we caught up with Will Jaaskelainen to get his thoughts for a Woking FC app exclusive interview.

Amongst interest from elsewhere, Jaaskelainen explained why he chose to stay with the Cards.

“We finished last season strong, and that was a big thing for me,” said Jaaskelainen. “We finished the season so well, so you can only see it continuing with the project, with the new owner & new staff. It’s exciting, that's a big reason why I wanted to re-sign.”

Will is excited to team up with a former teammate, Craig Ross, but first wanted to share his appreciation of departing goalkeeper coach John Keeley.

“Firstly, working with John was brilliant for me. His experience is unbelievable, and some of the places he’d worked at previously were incredible. You could see that when I was working with him that he got the best out of me and really understood what I needed. I feel like he made me more consistent and improved my game overall.”

“I played with Rossy for half a season here and know what a big character he is and what a legend he is at this football club, so that's only going to be a massive asset for us. I've got a great relationship with him, and obviously, I know him already as a player, and I’m excited to see what he’s like as a coach.”

Winner of the 2024/25 Players’ Player of the Season, Supporters’ Player of the Season and Woking News & Mail Player of the Season awards, Jaaskelainen shared his delight at picking up these accolades. 

“I’m very proud and appreciative of the awards and, I can't lie, it's satisfying to win these kinds of individual awards. It was really nice for the fans to vote for me and also my fellow players, as well. It was also an honour to be voted by a local newspaper, as well.”

With the players returning to pre-season training tomorrow, Jaaskelainen looked ahead to what is shaping up to be an exciting season for the Cards.

“We need to build upon what we did at the end of last season. We've all got dreams and aspirations to do something special, but it's not always that easy in football. We have to take it step by step, and as long as we keep improving as a team and as a football club, then anything is possible.”