Jardell Kanga completes move from Ilves to Motherwell

Jardell Kanga is leaving Ilves to sign for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, with Ilves and Motherwell reaching an agreement on the transfer, Tamperelainen reports.

The 20-year-old Swedish midfielder moved to Ilves on loan from Hammarby IF in spring 2025 and has spent two productive seasons in Tampere. Last season he scored five goals and provided five assists in 27 Veikkausliiga appearances. This campaign he has 10 goals and five assists in 20 league games, figures that put him tied second in the scoring charts and joint top in assists. Kanga has also featured in European competition and the Finnish Cup. He wore the captain's armband at times while serving as vice-captain during Sauli Väisänen's absences and has represented Sweden at under-21 level in European Championship qualifying.

Ilves sporting director Iikka Miettinen thanked Kanga for his contribution and praised his development in Tampere, saying: "Jardell Kanga came to Ilves to develop into a player ready for bigger leagues, and through hard work he achieved that goal. Jardell has grown in Tampere as a player, a leader and a person, and I hope his career continues on the same upward trajectory in Scotland." Kanga paid tribute to his teammates and club staff in a farewell message, saying: "I want to thank all my teammates, Ilves staff and everyone I worked with during my one and a half years at the club. It has been a real joy to wear the Ilves shirt and to serve as captain at times. My time at Ilves unfortunately did not yield trophies, but it brought many memories that will stay with us forever."