Will Jaaskelainen opens up on his contract situation at AFC Wimbledon

Will Jaaskelainen has insisted that he is not feeling the pressure about his current AFC Wimbledon deal only being short term.

The 24-year-old shotstopper was signed on an initial one-month contract by the Dons on September 11 after Nathan Broome picked up a foot injury in the 2-1 EFL Trophy win against Aston Villa’s U21s.

Dons manager Johnnie Jackson named Harry Griffiths, 17, on the bench for the 1-0 defeat to Stockport in League Two at the start of the month.

“I haven’t really been thinking about the length of the deal, I’m just thinking of doing my job and that hopefully leads to a longer deal in the end,” the former Finland U21 international told the South London Press. “I’m not too fazed with it being just a month contract right now. I have settled in really quickly, and I have been enjoying it.”

Jaaskelainen had been on the bench for the previous two League Two defeats against Northampton Town and Carlisle United, acting as cover and competition to regular first choice Nik Tzanev. Jaaskelainen made his debut in the 3-2 EFL Trophy win against Crawley Town on Tuesday evening.

The visitors’ goals at Plough Lane in the Group J fixture came via a Harry Powell deflected shot and a last-minute consolation.

“I was nervous before the game because I wanted it to go well,” said Jaaskelainen. “But I was fine once I got on to the pitch. I wasn’t really tested shot-stopping-wise, but I was able to show what I can do off the ball and command my area.”

Jaaskelainen left Crewe Alexandra after five years with the Railwaymen. He made 95 appearances but was released after losing his number one spot to Dave Richards.

“I definitely can bring League Two experience to the Wimbledon side,” he said. “I kept fit and made sure I was ready for when that phone call came. I just had to be patient.

“A fresh start has come at a good time. I’m at a good age, have lots of experience under my belt and can move forward now in my career.”

His father, Jussi Jaaskelainen, made more than 425 Premier League appearances before retiring in 2018. He spent the majority of his career at Bolton Wanderers, but also had spells at West Ham and Wigan.

“My dad just told me: ‘Go for it and show them what you can do.’ That’s what I’m trying to do now,” said Jaaskelainen. “He watches all my games. I always speak to him after games to ask him about little things.”