Arttu Heinonen

Arttu Heinonen came through KuPS's own academy, but his path back to the club he now plays for went by way of three other shirts. He left the youth ranks in 2016 and started senior football with PK-37 before a longer spell at KuFu-98, where he stayed for several seasons while also getting minutes with KuPS's first team on the side. He signed his first proper senior contract with KuPS in 2019.

The move that reshaped his career came in 2022, when he left for FC Lahti on a free transfer. He barely settled there before going out on loan to FC Reipas Lahti for the rest of that season, a spell that kept him playing regularly without a fixed home. By November 2022 he was on his way back to KuPS, again on a free transfer, with the new deal running from the start of 2023.

Since returning, the attacking midfielder has become part of a squad that has kept collecting silverware: a further Veikkausliiga title in 2024 and Finnish Cup wins in 2021 and 2024. He has also had a taste of continental football with KuPS, featuring in UEFA Champions League and Europa Conference League matches. At international level, Heinonen has stayed within the youth system, representing Finland at Under-19 level without yet earning a senior cap.