Aulis Rytkönen

Who is Aulis Rytkönen?

Taavi Aulis Rytkönen is a Finnish football legend. He became the country's first professional player when he signed for France's Toulouse FC in 1952.

In total Rytkönen spent eight seasons in France, winning the French Cup in 1957. A forward, he started his career in Finland with KuPS Kuopio in 1945, and after returning from France he worked as player-coach of HJK Helsinki 1960–1966 and as coach 1967–1971.

Rytkönen earned 37 caps for the Finnish national team, scoring seven goals. He played for Finland at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He also worked as national coach from 1975 to 1978. He was chosen Finland's Player of the Year in 1949, 1950, and 1952.