Simo Valakari

Football player infobox
playername= Simo Valakari
fullname = Simo Johannes Valakari
nickname =


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1973|04|24
cityofbirth = Helsinki
countryofbirth = Finland
height = height|m=1.78
currentclub = TPS Turku
clubnumber = 5
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs = Käpylän Pallo
years = 1995-96 1996-00 2000-04 2004-06 2007-
clubs = FinnPa Motherwell Derby County FC Dallas TPS Turku
caps(goals) = 48 (5) 111 (0) 46 (3) 85 (1) 28 (0)
nationalyears = 1996-2003
nationalteam = Finland
nationalcaps(goals) = 32 (0)
pcupdate = June 1, 2008
ntupdate = 25 November 2006

Simo Johannes Valakari (born April 24, 1973 in Helsinki) is a Finnish footballer, who currently plays defensive midfielder for TPS Turku.

Valakari began his career with KontU in the Finnish lower divisions, before first moving to FinnPa in 1995 and then to Scottish club Motherwell in 1996. After four seasons in Scotland, it was off to Derby County in the English Premiership. However, Valakari failed to become a first team regular at Pride Park Stadium and decided to join Dallas Burn for the 2004 MLS season and finished the year with a goal and four assists. Following the 2006 season, his contract was not renewed with the team, known by that time as FC Dallas. [Carrick, Buzz. [http://3rddegree.matchnight.com/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=20192 "FCD to Cut Ties with Simo Valakari"] , "3rd Degree", December 15, 2006, retrieved December 15, 2006.] Valakari decided to return to Finland for the 2007 Veikkausliiga season, where he signed for TPS Turku managed by Mixu Paatelainen.

Valakari was a regular with the Finnish national team during his stay in Europe. He has made a total of 32 caps for his country.

References

* [http://touchline.onthespot.co.uk/guardian/StatsCentre.asp?Lang=0&CTID=55&CPID=72&pStr=Player&PLID=5397&TEID=617 Guardian's Stats Centre]