Minnesota United has signed Finnish midfielder Robin Lod from Spain’s La Liga 2 side Sporting de Gijon using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), the team announced today. Lod will join the Loons pending receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC. Lod will occupy an international spot on Minnesota’s roster.
“We’re really excited that he’s decided to join us. This is a player that we’ve been trying to get here since his Panathinaikos days, before he went to Spain. We’ve been following him very closely ever since. He’s been outstanding in form for the Finland National team, who are undefeated, at the top of their European qualifying group,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I think his game suits the MLS to a T and I’m expecting big things from him. He can score goals, he can make goals, he can play three or four positions. I think he can play through the middle, he can certainly play in wide areas. He’s going to be a great addition to what we already have and I’m hoping that Robin is the first of two or three [additions] during this window.”
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder joined Sporting de Gijon in 2018, making his debut with the Liga 2 side on August 26, where he scored his first goal against Tarragona. During his time with Sporting de Gijon, Lod played 1,212 minutes across 77 games and with four goals. Lod currently represents Finland on the Finland National Team with current Loon Rasmus Schuller. Lod made his international debut in 2013 at age 20 and has since had more than 30 caps for the national team, including an appearance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Lod began his senior club career playing for Klubi-04 before making his league debut for HJK at age 18 in 2011. He helped HJK win the Veikkausliiga during his second season with the club, then proceeded to help the club win three successive Veikkausliiga titles, the Finnish Cup and the Finnish League Cup. In his time at HJK, he was teammates with Schuller from 2012-2015. Across four seasons with HJK, Lod played in 120 games, with 21 goals, 17 assists and was selected as Player of the Year after the 2014 season. Ahead of the 2015-2016 season, Lod joined Panathinaikos of the Greece Superleague where he played for three years, with eight goals and 4,773 minutes across 68 games before signing with Sporting de Gijon in 2018.
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Transaction: Minnesota United signs Robin Lod using TAM.
VITALS
Robin Lod
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 04.17.1993
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 168
Last club: Sporting de Gijon
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
Citizenship: Finland
