lˈɛhɪɾi sˈɔː ðɪs æz ɐ stˈɛpˌʌp ɪn hɪz kɚɹˈɪɹ, wɪð fˈɪnlənd ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəlz sˈʌtʃ ɐz dʒˈɑːɹɹi lˈɪtmeɪnən, pˈɛkə lˈædʒɚbləm ænd mˈiːkə vˈɛɪɹˌaɪnən ˈɔːlsoʊ plˈeɪɪŋ fɔːɹ lˈɑːɾi.
Lähitie saw this as a step-up in his career, with Finland internationals such as Jari Litmanen, Pekka Lagerblom and Mika Väyrynen also playing for Lahti.