Biel's Toni Rajala can apply for Swiss citizenship only in 2027

The reason why Toni Rajala has to wait an additional year is that in his first season with EHC Biel, he had a short-term residence permit. This is the usual procedure when players from Europe sign a one-year contract with a Swiss club. However, this period does not count towards the naturalization process, the "Berner Zeitung" explains.

If Rajala will indeed apply in 2027 for Swiss citizenship, he will be 36 for the 2027-28 season. Nonetheless, EHC Biel would do anything they could to ensure that Rajala would finish his career with them if he wished to remain in Switzerland. Words of reassurance come directly from the Finn: “Getting my passport and then switching teams to sign another really big contract is not something I would do. I've been playing for this club too long for that.”