Niko Hämäläinen

Nicholas Antero Hämäläinen (born 5 March 1997)  is a Finnish-American footballer who plays as a midfielder or a defender for Kilmarnock, on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Born and raised in the USA to a Finnish father, Hämäläinen played for Finland at various youth levels, and was capped at senior level in a friendly match against Estonia on 11 January 2019. However, on 30 August 2019, he was named to the United States under-23s, his first call-up to his native United States at any level.

Club career

Queens Park Rangers
On 18 September 2014, Hämäläinen signed for Queens Park Rangers from the FC Dallas Academy. Former West Ham midfielder Ian Bishop, a family friend, arranged a trial for Hämäläinen, where he was spotted by QPR.

He made his league debut for QPR as a substitute for Joel Lynch in a 2–1 win against West London rivals Fulham on 1 October 2016. He made his first appearance in the starting lineup on 22 October 2016 in a match against Sheffield Wednesday.

2015–16: Dagenham & Redbridge loan
On 6 August 2015, Hämäläinen signed on an emergency loan deal at Dagenham & Redbridge until 5 September 2015.

Hämäläinen made his professional debut on 12 August 2015, in Dagenham & Redbridge's 1–4 loss to Charlton Athletic in the League Cup. He was named in the starting eleven and was replaced by Ashley Hemmings in the 58th minute. His loan was extended in September 2015 for an additional month.

2018–19: Los Angeles FC loan
On 25 February 2019, Hämäläinen joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on a six-month loan deal. Prior to his signing, Jordan Harvey was the only recognised left-back at LAFC. After the announcement of the signing, general manager John Thorrington said “Niko has a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to furthering his professional development at LAFC... I am confident he will prove to be a valuable addition to the group". He made his debut when he came off the bench in the 81st minute and made an assist in the 90+2 minute for the winner in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.

2019–20: Kilmarnock loan
Hämäläinen was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock in August 2019. His decision to move to Scotland was influenced by compatriot Glen Kamara, who plays for Rangers, and Lee Wallace, a teammate of Hämäläinen's at QPR, having joined from Rangers himself in June 2019. So far in 2019–20, Hämäläinen has been named in the Scottish Premiership team of the week twice.

International career
Hämäläinen is eligible for the United States and Finland, having been born and raised in the United States to a Finnish father. He originally played as a youth international for Finland. 

He made his debut for the Finland national football team on 11 January 2019 on Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar in a friendly against Estonia, as a starter. He played for 84 minutes until he was replaced by Juha Pirinen.

On 30 August 2019, Hämäläinen accepted a call to the United States under-23s, his first call-up to the United States at any level.

Personal life
Hämäläinen was born and raised in the United States, and is of Finnish descent through his father, Timo Hämäläinen, who played for the Finnish football club Koparit in 1978–1982 in the SM-sarja before moving to the United States to work.

Career statistics

Club

Honours and achievements

Individual
 Football Association of Finland Promising player of the year: 2015

References

External links

 Queens Park Rangers F.C. official profile
 Niko Hämäläinen – SPL competition record
 
 
 

Category:1997 births
Category:Living people
Category:Finnish footballers
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Finland youth international footballers
Category:Finland under-21 international footballers
Category:Finland international footballers
Category:American soccer players
Category:Finnish people of American descent
Category:American people of Finnish descent
Category:Soccer players from Florida
Category:Expatriate footballers in England
Category:Expatriate footballers in Scotland
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players
Category:Los Angeles FC players
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players