{{Short description|Finnish footballer (born 2003)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Leo Walta | image = Halmstad vs Mjällby in 2023.jpg | image_size = 180px | caption = Walta with Mjällby in 2023 | fullname = Leo Walta | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|6|24|df=y}} | birth_place = Vantaa, Finland | height = 1.70 m | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Swansea City | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Pakkalan Palloseura | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2019 | youthclubs2 = HJK | youthyears3 = 2019–2021 | youthclubs3 = Nordsjælland | years1 = 2019 | clubs1 = Klubi 04 | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2021–2024 | clubs2 = Nordsjælland | caps2 = 19 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2023 | clubs3 = → HB Køge (loan) | caps3 = 14 | goals3 = 3 | years4 = 2023 | clubs4 = → Mjällby (loan) | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2024–2026 | clubs5 = Sirius | caps5 = 59 | goals5 = 23 | years6 = 2026 | clubs6 = → Swansea City (loan) | caps6 = 10 | goals6 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2018 | nationalteam1 = Finland U15<!-- https://www.palloliitto.fi/jalkapallouutiset/u15-pojat-paattivat-neljan-maan-turnauksen-voittoon --> | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalyears2 = 2019 | nationalteam2 = Finland U16 | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2019–2020 | nationalteam3 = Finland U17 | nationalcaps3 = 12 | nationalgoals3 = 3 | nationalyears4 = 2022 | nationalteam4 = Finland U19 | nationalcaps4 = 3 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2021–2025 | nationalteam5 = Finland U21 | nationalcaps5 = 14 | nationalgoals5 = 2 | nationalyears6 = 2024– | nationalteam6 = Finland | nationalcaps6 = 12 | nationalgoals6 = 1 | pcupdate = 20:02, 31 May 2026 (UTC) | ntupdate = 30 March 2026 | years7 = 2026– | clubs7 = Swansea City | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0 }} '''Leo Walta''' (born 24 June 2003) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sirius and the Finland national team.
==Club career== Walta's first football club was {{ill|Pakkalan Palloseura|fi}} of Pakkala, Vantaa, where he played his first youth years.
===HJK Helsinki=== Walta joined HJK Helsinki youth sector when he was eight years old.<ref name=ft/> Walta was a very attractive player during his youth years at HJK, where it led to several trials in, among others, German clubs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich, and also at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.<ref>[https://www.tv3sport.dk/sport/fodbold/nyheder/bayern-munchen-traener-er-blevet-testet-positiv-for-corona Flere storklubber interesseret i 14-årig Allan Simonsen-type], tv3sport.dk, 6 April 2018</ref> However, he couldn't move abroad until he was 16 years old, according to FIFA rules.
Therefore, he stayed at HJK and at the age of 15 in May 2019, started playing for HJK's reserve team, Klubi 04, in the Finnish third division, Kakkonen.<ref>{{Soccerway|leo-walta/612015}}</ref>
===FC Nordsjælland=== In September 2019 it was announced, that FC Nordsjælland had bought 16-year old Walta from HJK Helsinki for "a significant transfer amount".<ref name=ft>[https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/fc-nordsjaelland-handler-henter-finsk-teenager-betydeligt-beloeb FC Nordsjælland handler: Henter finsk teenager for "betydeligt beløb"], tipsbladet.dk, 2 September 2019</ref> In his first season at the club, he mostly played for the U-17 team, but also made seven appearances and scored two goals for the U-19s, while he also made his reserve team debut in November 2019.
In the 2020–21 season, Walta became a key player for Nordsjælland's U19s, where he played 23 league games and scored six goals. At the end of the season, on 14 July 2021, Nordsjælland confirmed, that Walta had signed a new deal with the club and had been promoted to the first team squad.<ref>[https://fcn.dk/2021/07/leo-walta-forlaenger-og-rykker-op-i-superliga-truppen/ LEO WALTA FORLÆNGER OG RYKKER OP I SUPERLIGA-TRUPPEN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101153637/https://fcn.dk/2021/07/leo-walta-forlaenger-og-rykker-op-i-superliga-truppen/ |date=2023-01-01 }}, fcn.dk, 14 July 2021</ref> Four days later, on 18 July 2021, Walta got his professional debut for Nordsjælland against Viborg FF in the Danish Superliga.<ref>[https://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2021/07/18/denmark/superliga/fc-nordsjalland/viborg-ff/3510669/ NORDSJÆLLAND VS. VIBORG 1 - 2], soccerway.com, 18 July 2021</ref>
====HB Køge (loan)==== On transfer deadline day, 31 January 2023, HB Køge confirmed that Walta had joined the club on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.<ref>[https://www.hbkoge.dk/leo-walta-ny-mand-i-hb-koege/ Leo Walta ny mand i HB Køge], hbkoge.dk, 31 January 2023</ref>
====Mjällby AIF (loan)==== After returning to Nordsjælland, he was sent out on loan again, this time to Allsvenskan club Mjällby AIF until the end of the 2023 season.<ref>[https://maif.se/2023/08/01/valkommen-till-mjallby-aif-leo-walta/ Välkommen till Mjällby AIF – Leo Walta], maif.se, 1 August 2023</ref> On 18 September 2023, Walta scored his first goals in Allsvenskan by a brace against IFK Norrköping away, helping his side to take a 2–0 win.<ref>[https://svenska.yle.fi/a/7-10041884 Leo Walta gjorde sina två första mål i allsvenskan – ledde Mjällby till bortaseger över IFK Norrköping], Svenska Yle, 19 September 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/allsvenskan/tva-mal-av-leo-walta-norrkoping-buades-ut-pa-hemmaplan/ Två mål av Leo Walta - Norrköping buades ut på hemmaplan], fotbollskanalen.se, 18 September 2023</ref> After the season, Mjällby were interested in signing with Walta on a permanent contract, but Nordsjælland's asking price of €1.3 million was too high for them. It was also reported that there were several interested clubs in Eredivisie.<ref>[https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/mtv-urheilun-tiedot-ruotsalaisseura-haluaa-suomen-huippulupauksen-kuuma-nimi-myos-hollannissa/8891738#gs.bum7ru MTV Urheilun tiedot: Ruotsalaisseura haluaa Suomen huippulupauksen – kuuma nimi myös Hollannissa], mtvuutiset.fi, MTV Oy, 5 March 2024</ref>
===IK Sirius=== On 8 March 2024, Walta joined Allsvenskan side Sirius on a deal until 30 June 2028 for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be €1.25 million.<ref>[https://www.siriusfotboll.se/nyheter/leo-walta-klar-for-sirius-fotboll/ Leo Walta klar för Sirius Fotboll], siriusfotboll.se, 8 March 2024</ref><ref>[https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/mtv-urheilun-tiedot-ruotsalaisseura-haluaa-suomen-huippulupauksen-kuuma-nimi-myos-hollannissa/8891738#gs.5k1hm8 MTV Urheilun tiedot: Ruotsalaisseura haluaa Suomen huippulupauksen – kuuma nimi myös Hollannissa], MTV Oy/ mtvuutiset.fi, Eetu Ikola, 5 March 2024</ref> During his first season with Sirius, Walta made 29 appearances in Allsvenskan scoring seven goals and providing three assists.<ref>[https://yle.fi/a/74-20116198 Ruotsin Allsvenskanissa maaleja tehtaileva Leo Walta osui jälleen], Yle, 6 October 2024</ref> In November, Walta was listed in the 13th place of the top50 2024 Allsvenskan players by the Aftonbladet.<ref>[https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/gw4n3B/jatterankning-50-basta-spelarna-i-allsvenskan-2024 Jätterankning: 50 bästa spelarna i allsvenskan 2024], Aftonbladet</ref>
On 5 October 2025, Walta scored a brace and provided an assist as Sirius won Malmö FF 5–1 at home.<ref>[https://atleetti.fi/leo-walta-dominoi-ruotsissa-ei-mahtunut-viela-kuukausi-sitten-huuhkajiin/ Leo Walta dominoi jälleen Ruotsissa – ei mahtunut vielä kuukausi sitten Huuhkajiin], atleetti.fi, 5 October 2025</ref><ref>[https://www.suomifutis.com/2025/10/katso-leo-walta-iski-kaksi-maalia-malmon-verkkoon-allsvenskanissa/ Katso: Leo Walta iski kaksi maalia Malmön verkkoon Allsvenskanissa], suomifutis.com, 5 October 2025</ref> On 26 October, he scored two goals and provided an assist again as Sirius won IF Elfsborg 4–0, marking his 14th and 15th goals of the season and making it the Sirius single-season goal scoring record in Allsvenskan.<ref>[https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000011585053.html Leo Walta teki seuransa yhden kauden maaliennätyksen Ruotsissa], Helsingin Sanomat, 26 October 2025</ref>
=== Swansea City === On 2 February 2026, Walta joined Welsh side Swansea City A.F.C. on a loan until the end of the 2026 season which will then move to a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be €3.5 million.<ref>[https://www.is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000011786476.html Miljoonakauppa! Huuhkajien tähti siirtyy Britanniaan], Ilta-Sanomat, 31 January 2026</ref> On 2 May 2026, Walta scored his first goal for the club; a free kick which went in off the post in a 3–1 win against Charlton Athletic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Text |first=Live |title=Swansea City 3–1 Charlton Athletic: Adam Idah double helps Swans to victory late on |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c2k2j0k1kgzt |access-date=3 May 2026 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==International career== Walta is a regular youth international, and has represented Finland at various youth national team levels.
On 4 June 2024, Walta made his senior national team debut for Finland, in a 4–2 friendly defeat against Portugal.<ref>[https://yle.fi/a/74-20092265 Teemu Pukin maalit Huuhkajien ilonaihe, Portugali täysin ylivoimainen], Yle, 4 June 2024</ref>
Walta also made six appearances and scored one goal for the Finland U21 in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign, helping them to qualify for the final tournament for the second time in the nation's history by defeating Norway in the play-offs. However, Walta missed the tournament in June 2025 due to suffering from mononucleosis, and was replaced by Doni Arifi.<ref>[https://www.palloliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/leo-walta-sivuun-u21-em-kisoista-tilalle-doni-arifi Leo Walta sivuun U21-EM-kisoista – tilalle Doni Arifi], Football Association of Finland, 7 June 2025</ref>
==Personal life== His younger sister Ilona (born 2006) is also a professional footballer.<ref>[https://www.hjk.fi/artikkelit/naiset/kumppanit-2/tahtiakatemia-ilona-walta-academic-work/ Ilona Walta kertoo pelaajatarinansa: ”Rakkaus lajiin syntyi jo ennen sen aloittamista”], hjk.fi, 14 June 2023</ref>
== Career statistics == ===Club=== {{updated|11 May 2026|<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.flashscore.com/player/walta-leo/t6VubL4D/| title = Leo Walta | publisher = flashscore}}</ref>}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Danish Cup and Svenska Cupen}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Klubi 04 |2019 |Kakkonen |6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Nordsjælland |2021–22 |Danish Superliga |14||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||0 |- |2022–23 |Danish Superliga |5||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !19!!0!!4!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!23!!0 |- |HB Køge (loan) |2022–23 |Danish 1st Division |14||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||3 |- |Mjällby (loan) |2023 |Allsvenskan |11||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||2 |- |rowspan=3|Sirius |2024 |Allsvenskan |29||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||7 |- |2025 |Allsvenskan |30||16||3||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||17 |- !colspan=2|Total !59!!23!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!63!!24 |- |Swansea City (loan) |2025–26 |Championship |10||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !119!!29!!9!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!129!!31 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 30 March 2026}}<ref>{{NFT player|id=94876}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2" |National team!! rowspan="2" |Year!! colspan="2" |Competitive ! colspan="2" |Friendly ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- | rowspan=3|Finland |2024||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B.</ref>||0||2||0||6||0 |- |2025||3<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.</ref>||0||1||1||4||1 |- |2026||0<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League C.</ref>||0||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Includes two appearances in the 2026 FIFA Series.</ref>||0||2||0 |- ! colspan=2|Total !7 !0 !5 !1 !12 !1 |} {{notelist}}
:''Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Walta goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Leo Walta |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | style="text-align:center"|1 || 17 November 2025 || Tammelan Stadion, Tampere, Finland || {{fb|Andorra}} || align="center" |4–0|| align="center" |4–0|| Friendly |- |}
==Honours== '''Finland''' * FIFA Series: 2026<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.palloliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/huuhkajat-voitti-uuden-seelannin-fifa-series-turnauksen|title=Huuhkajat voitti Uuden-Seelannin FIFA Series -turnauksen|website=www.palloliitto.fi|date=30 March 2026}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Football Association of Finland: Young Player of the Year 2021<ref>[https://www.veikkausliiga.com/uutiset/2021/12/02/kaikki-captains-ballissa-2021-jaetut-palkinnot Kaikki Captain's Ballissa 2021 jaetut palkinnot]</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Soccerway|leo-walta/612015}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walta, Leo}} Category:2003 births Category:Living people Category:Finnish men's footballers Category:21st-century Finnish sportsmen Category:Finnish expatriate men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Finland men's youth international footballers Category:Finland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Finland men's international footballers Category:Kakkonen players Category:Danish Superliga players Category:Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi players Category:Klubi 04 players Category:FC Nordsjælland players Category:HB Køge players Category:Mjällby AIF players Category:People from Vantaa Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Denmark Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Sweden Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden Category:Allsvenskan players Category:IK Sirius Fotboll players Category:Danish 1st Division players Category:Finnish expatriate sportspeople in Wales Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Wales Category:English Football League players Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players