Defender Kristian Näkyvä, 34, is making a return to the Liiga after an 11-year break. According to Helsingin Sanomat, Kiekko-Espoo has reached an agreement with Näkyvä.

Näkyvä has been training with Kiekko-Espoo over the summer and he was recently also involved in team photos. Kiekko-Espoo’s sports director Kim Hirschovits previously denied that Näkyvä’s joining the team was imminent.

Last season, Näkyvä played in the SHL for Timrå IK. He recorded 0+6 points in 36 regular season games and 0+1 in six playoff games. During his time abroad, Näkyvä played nine seasons in Sweden, one season in Switzerland, and one season in the AHL.

While playing in the Liiga, Näkyvä has represented Blues and JYP. He was last seen in the Liiga during the 2013-14 season in a JYP jersey. Näkyvä won the Finnish championship with JYP in the spring of 2012 under the current head coach of Kiekko-Espoo, Jyrki Aho.

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