Ex-Canary Pukki flies to the MLS as Minnesota swoop for striker

Head coach Adrian Heath believes Minnesota United have signed a "gold standard" striker after the Major League Soccer outfit confirmed the arrival of Teemu Pukki.

The former Norwich poacher has signed a two-year deal for the Loons after allowing his contract at Carrow Road to expire.

Pukki, 33, scored 88 goals in 210 appearances for the Canaries during his five seasons in East Anglia, twice firing his former side into the Premier League.

With 112 international caps, he is also Finland's all-time top goalscorer, scoring 38 times since his debut in 2009.

Heath, who will be hoping to get the best out of the veteran marksman, said: "I feel as though we have gotten that goalscorer we have been craving ever since Christian Ramirez left.

"He's a gold standard, proven goalscorer, if you look at his record he's scored at a high level at every team he's played for.

"His goalscoring record in the Premier League, the Championship and the Finnish national team speaks for itself.

"The fact is, he scores goals and I know that if we continue to create the opportunities we have this season he will no doubt be successful in this league."

Technical director Mark Watson has expressed his delight at securing the ex-Brondby and Schalke forward.

He said: "On the field, it's pretty simple. He's an elite goal scorer. I think he's got a lot more to his game than that.

"He's a really good soccer player and he can hold the ball, bring others into play.

"It's a real credit to the club and our growth in terms of how we go about our business, but also being a club that can attract these types of players."

Minnesota sit 12th in the MLS Western Conference with only five wins from their opening 18 games.

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