Ilmari Niskanen
Staying with players yet to prove themsevles higher up, we have Exeter’s outgoing Ilmari Niskanen. He has built a varied career across Finland, Germany, Scotland and England, initially making his name with KuPS, where he helped the club win the Finnish title in 2019 before earning a move to FC Ingolstadt in Germany. He later joined Dundee United and gained experience in both the Scottish Premiership and Championship before signing for Exeter City in 2023. Alongside his club career, Niskanen has also become an established Finland international with more than 20 senior caps, while his ability to play as a winger, wing-back or full-back has made him an extremely versatile option throughout his career.
Niskanen’s 2025/26 campaign with Exeter City was built around relentless work-rate and positional flexibility, featuring virtually everywhere down the right flank and occasionally on the left. Across all competitions he contributed three goals and 13 assists, while averaging more than 56 passes and almost 17 duels per game. Defensively, he remained hugely active throughout the season, posting strong recovery and interception numbers, while his crossing volume and stamina made him one of Exeter’s most influential wide players.
I like him a lot. He’s a good age, plays regular international football, and 13 assists is not to be sniffed out. He feels top end League One, bottom end Championship and wherever he goes, he’ll be an asset.
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