Basketball | Helsinki Seagulls Signs Two New Players

Helsinki Seagulls, a prominent team in Finland's Korisliiga basketball league, has bolstered its roster by signing two new players: Remu Raitanen and Vili Vesterinen. Both players have inked one-season contracts with the club.

Remu Raitanen, a 28-year-old Helsinki native, is an accomplished forward. He was named the Korisliiga's Most Valuable Player in 2022 while playing for KTP. Standing at 206 cm, Raitanen is a graduate of the ToPo youth system and has represented the Finnish national team in 29 games. His career includes a four-year stint at the University of San Francisco, followed by professional play in Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Iceland. Last season, Raitanen rejoined KTP-Basket mid-season, averaging 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Raitanen expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Seagulls early in the summer, aiming to avoid the uncertainty he experienced in previous seasons when he held off on signing deals. "I want to play a full, uninterrupted season," Raitanen stated. He felt the Seagulls understood his situation and genuinely wanted him, making the decision easier. He also noted that having lost to the Seagulls in the quarterfinals last season, joining them felt like a natural progression: "If you can't beat them, join them," he quipped.

Vili Vesterinen, a 20-year-old center, is a rising talent making his Korisliiga debut. Hailing from Muurame, Vesterinen joins the Seagulls from the Jyväskylä Basketball Academy, where he played in the A-Division I last season. The 211 cm tall player aims to develop as an athlete and contribute significantly to his new team. Despite a history of injuries, Vesterinen played in every game last season, averaging 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

With these additions, the Seagulls are building a competitive team for the upcoming season, aiming for the Finnish championship. The club has already secured key players like point guard Lassi Nikkarinen and veteran René Rouleau.