Born January 31^st, 2006, Otto Ruoppi was welcomed into the world in his hometown of Kuopio, Finland. Growing up in the regional capital of North Savo, with a population of roughly 125,000, this is all Otto knows…homegrown lad who started his football career in his very own backyard. After playing youth football around his hometown, Ruoppi signed with the hometown club Kuopion Palloseura (Commonly referred to as KuPS), a professional club based in the topflight of Finnish football (The Veikkausliiga). A historical club in Finland who have tallied 7 Veikkausliiga championships, 5 Finnish cup wins, and one Finnish League Cup win. This places them fourth all-time in the Finnish Premier League honor table. Otto Ruoppi, in 2021, at just 15 years old, started his senior career with KuFu-98, the club’s reserve team (at that time), playing in the third tier of Finland, the Kakkonen. Ruoppi made 11 appearances for the team before going back to KuPS II in 2022 to develop for the rest of the season, making 15 appearances and bagging 1 goal under them. This prompted KuPS to make one more developmental move for Otto, and they sent him on loan for the whole of 2023 to Mikkelin Palloijiat in the 2^nd division of Finland, the Ykkönen. Otto Ruoppi made 30 appearances for MP and put together 2 goals and 1 assist. All while also seeing MP surprisingly finish 3^rd place in the Ykkönen league. After what looked like a successful loan, KuPS brought Otto back, and on April 6^th, 2024, Ruoppi debuted in the Veikkausliiga with KuPS first team as a starter. Otto took that starting spot and never gave it up. Scoring his first goal the following game against IFK Mariehamm, this was enough to rope in a contract extension with his boyhood club until 2028 and to continue the early dominance he had been showcasing. Now following Otto’s sophomore season, he now has 95 appearances for the club, all while tallying 18 Goals and 8 Assists during the last 2 years at just 18-19 years old. It’s only a matter of time before someone or some team wants shivers sent down their spine by Kuopio’s Koldest.

International Career:

Otto Ruoppi has made himself known on Finland’s national youth teams, being apart of the country’s U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and now U-21 national levels. The most notable honour of his national career was in 2023, where he led the Finnish U-17 national team to the final stage of U-17 Euro qualification. They played 3 games recording  an even 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Ruoppi scored 1 goal during those games and was a key component to their success. Now, in 2025, he is doing it again at the U-21 level where Finland have played 5 games for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, and he scored 3 times, while playing all 450 minutes of the 5 games. Loyalty, trust and talent is what he offers, and Finland feel safe with him on the pitch.

KuPS

When looking at KuPS and the philosophy that they play under Jarkko Wiss, the system lets Otto thrive and not only become a top player on his team, but in the league. KuPS seem to lineup in 3 separate formations during the year such as the 4-2-3-1. 4-4-2, and 4-3-3. The formations we saw the most of the three was the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3. Regardless of the formation they take, they always seem to follow Jarkko’s strategy of having possession and getting numbers in the box. KuPS average the 4^th highest possession in the league as a team with 55.9% and as well, 4^th in the league in touches in the opposition box with 982 (158 away from first). These touches in the box have translated to 4^th in big chances created with 78. With their philosophy of gaining possession and breaking down the opposition, they also do a good job of creating set piece opportunities to help get crosses into the box more. Again, 4^th in the league in corners at 180, 5^th in accurate crosses per match at 5.1 (while also attempting the 2^nd most crosses in the league at 670 total), 1^st in accurate long balls per match at 28.3, and 2^nd in accurate passes per match at 465 (4 behind HJK). Again, like I mentioned, KuPS want numbers in the box, and by overloading the wider areas (playing 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 compliment the ideology) they tend to burn the opposition full backs and get dangerous balls into the box. This system has let Otto grow into his own, and OH, has it been a sight.

Otto’s Offensive Efforts*

Otto Ruoppi’s offensive game is where the lad shines. Ruoppi in this system, can play on the wing, as an 8 and get thrown up top as a number 9.  Ruoppi always seems to be in the right place and always is providing ample support for his team in attack. Otto likes working further up the pitch and does a tremendous job in working the half spaces, overloading the wider areas, and getting into the box successfully untouched. If the ball is switched to the other side, Otto is inherently moving up and standing in and around the penalty box. This offensive nature has translated into an eye-opening season. For his team, KuPS, he is leading them in a plethora of stats and indicating that he is their heartbeat on offense and is only getting better. Otto is now currently in the top 15 of highest rated players in the Veikkausliiga at 7.35 (per Fotmob), with some of the highest G+A totals in the league. For his team, KuPS, he is 1^st in assists, G+A, big chances created, chances created and 3^rd in highest match rating on the team. Otto’s chance creation and crossing ability is what makes him stand out from the rest. Otto has 4.97 touches in the opposition box Per90, 1.85 Chances Created Per90), and has a 34% successful cross rate from his 52 crosses attempted (5^th on team in total crosses). These Per90 stats just help reiterate KuPS and Jarkko Wiss’ philosophy and show Otto can work wide and be one of the main focal points of attack centrally. Even in Conference League play, Otto has replicated some of those stats and still has looked great. The tougher competition has proved some challenge, but Otto still seems to provide and is shining for KuPS in their remarkable season they are having.

Otto Ruoppi Advanced Statistics	Veikkausliga 2025-26	Conference League 2025-26
Goals + Assists	8 Goals + 7 Assists (Tied 8th in Veikkausliga for G+A, and 5th for Assists)	0 Goals + 0 Assists (KuPS tied for 5th lowest goals for in Conference League)
Chances created & Big Chances Created	49 Chances Created + 9 Big Chances Created (1st on KuPS for Chances & Big Chances Created & 7th Highest in the Veikkausliga)	7 Chances Created & 0 Big Chances Created (72nd in Chances Created)
Touches in Opp. Box Per90	4.97 Per90 – 90th percentile	4.17 Per90 (68th percentile)
Dribble Success Rate	43.9% (50th percentile)	70.01% (84th percentile)
Cross Success Rate	34.0% (84th percentile)	44.4% (88th percentile)

* All statistics in this section taken from Fotmob.

KuPS & Ruoppi’s Performance Against Crystal Palace

KuPS really tried to play to their philosophy under Jarkko Wiss in the match against Crystal Palace in the Conference League. Control possession/tempo, look to play out the back, play out wide, or stretch the defenders back far enough for our midfielders to find pockets of space to drop in, and then drive to the opposition goal. KuPS managed to scrape 44% possession against a Crystal Palace team who is primarily known for playing counterattack/direct football. Crystal Palace have struggled in recent times when having to put pedal to the metal and be the “dominant” attacking/possessive team. On top of not being as familiar as their normal play, they had a younger line up in, with tactical familiarity and leadership levels being down from usual. That is exactly how KuPS broke down Crystal Palace and lead to their first goal to tie the game 1-1.

KuPS goalkeeper #1 Kreidl does an excellent job bringing in pressure from the Palace player and delivers a quick pass in space for KuPS CM #10 Arifi.

#10 Arifi quickly turning his body facing up field and scanning the areas, makes a great pass in between 3 Palace defenders, to find #34 Otto Ruoppi who does a great job finding space for his teammate.

#34 Otto Ruoppi sees that he has space ahead of himself, with a great two touch and pushes directly up field with purpose. Great one/two step to get moving and spearhead the attack with 2 other teammates pushing the back line. (#6 Savolainen & #9 Parzyszek)

34 Otto Ruoppi finds his teammate #6 Savolainen with a good pass into the box who got space off Palace defender #23 Canvot.

6 Savolainen beats #23 Canvot on a move inside, then slides home a treat for KuPS striker #9 Parzyszek to draw the game at 1-1.

Ruoppi in KuPS’ Defensive Structure

Defensively, KuPS played 5-4-1/4-4-2 from their original 4-3-3 shape to start the game. KuPS had Otto on the right striker side, up front pressing along side KuPS #9 Piotr Parzyszek. To start the second half, KuPS implemented higher pressing along Crystal Palace’s back line when they tried to play out the back. KuPS had one of their midfielders drop into a back 5, and then both wingers dropped down into the midfield to push Otto out wide on defense, or they threw both wingers out on the wide flanks and had Otto jump into 9 positioning to formulate the 4-4-2 shape we saw in the second half versus Crystal Palace. Both defensive formations relied on Otto’s work ethic and having him press hard on the wingbacks and the wide center backs of Crystal Palace’s back 3. Otto realized quickly that they would have to put pressure on the younger defenders to cause turnovers. Otto made 3 tackles in the game, 8 recoveries, 4 defensive contributions and all while maintaining a 50% ground duel success rate.

Ruoppi’s role within the 5-4-1 defensive structure:

Ruoppi’s role within the 4-4-2 defensive structure:

Otto’s Odyssey

Otto Ruoppi and KuPS have been phenomenal this season, and there must be praise on Otto’s side as the main facilitator in this offense. Not only does Otto pass the stats test, but Otto also passes the eye test just as thoroughly. Otto has a great future and has already made himself known in the Nordic world. With Otto’s tremendous work ethic and offensive game, any team should jump at the chance to sign him and develop him into the player we already see at this level, at just 19 years old. Otto’s best role(s) to play are as an inverted winger or attacking midfielder. Otto always seems to find himself in the box more centrally or moves more freely within the half spaces. Alas, obviously no person is perfect, and for Otto, he has some skills that require improvement to become the all-around midfielder he can be. For Otto, the two things that can develop to the next level is his tackling ability and physicality/athleticism. Otto is a taller lad at 180 centimeters and is 75 kilograms. By no means is this a small lad, but his tackling skills for that height/weight isn’t where I believe Otto can get to. Improving the timing of his tackles or his strength, would then in theory, hopefully help lead to more pressing/duel success. KuPS system would thrive even more once Otto fills out and grows into the man he can become. Lastly, Otto is on his way to becoming a more athletic player. Having a tremendous first step and amazing ability to quickly turn up the pitch to spearhead the attack. As he gets older, then his agility and pace can go to levels that would be beyond the Veikkausliga. Right now, Otto is a rising, up-and-coming star for the Veikkausliga and Finland. If he continues to see regular time for KuPS and continues training the way he has under Jarkko Wiss’ system, then we won’t seem him much longer in his hometown club’s kit. Otto Ruoppi’s talent trajectory can bring him to the top Nordic clubs around Europe, or Belgium as an influential starter, sooner rather than later. He can thrive in tactical systems that focus on possession or counter attacking, so the list of teams that can come knocking aren’t limited. If he is to continue to show the passion and work ethic Otto has now, but at the next step (whatever league that is), then I believe we can see Otto, at the peak of his career without barring any massive injury setbacks/team debacles, become a Serie A (Italy) or Ligue 1 (France) regular starter. Time is of the essence for KuPS Koldest, and Otto’s Odyssey will be adventurous just like the player he is.

Otto Ruoppi, coming soon to a European stage near you.

Thanks for Reading,

-PMCIII