San Diego FC acquires Onni Valakari on a loan deal
Credit: SDFC
This Monday, January 13, San Diego FC officially announced the acquisition of 25-year-old midfielder Onni Valakari. The move is a loan deal through the 2025 season from Cypriot First Division club Pafos, with a club option for 2026.
Valakari was born in Motherwell, Scotland, but has represented Finland at youth levels and with the senior national team. The 25-year-old midfielder is a youth academy product of Finnish side SJK, and that is where he began his professional career.
Since then, Valakari has played with TPS and SalPa in Finland, Tromsø in Norway, AIK in Sweden, and Pafos in Cyprus. The Finnish player has enjoyed his most successful stint in Cyprus, scoring 46 goals in 159 appearances with Pafos.
Valakari plays as an attacking midfielder and brings plenty of creativity to any attack that he is part of. The 25-year-old stands at 6-foot-2 and provides and also provides a solid physical presence in the offense.
SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps talked about the new signing from Pafos. “Valakari is a high-level attacking midfielder who brings an exciting profile to our roster. His elegant playing style and ability to contribute in the final third will strengthen our attack. We’re excited to introduce him to the team as we kick off our preseason this week”, said Heaps.
Valakari will use up a 2025 International Roster Slot, as it is expected that he has the potential to be a consistent starter under Mikey Varas. The Finnish playmaker has ties to Major League Soccer as his father, Simo Valakari, played over 90 games for FC Dallas from 2004-2006.
San Diego FC has clearly been targeting Nordic players and this is clearly due to the club’s resources. With Mohamed Mansour owning FC Nordsjaelland these are potentially players that have already been scouted for years before San Diego FC’s inception.
San Diego FC will start its training sessions this Monday, January 13, at Sharp HealthCare Performance Center ahead of the club’s first preseason games.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.