Nikolai Alho
Nikolai Aleksanteri Alho (born 12 March 1993) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Finnish Veikkausliiga side HJK Helsinki.
 Nikolai Alho with HJK in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nikolai Aleksanteri Alho | ||
| Date of birth | 12 March 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Helsinki, Finland | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Right-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999 | Honka | ||
| Klubi-04 | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009−2012 | Klubi-04 | 44 | (13) |
| 2012–2016 | HJK | 80 | (13) |
| 2012 | → FC Lahti (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2017 | Halmstads BK | 20 | (1) |
| 2018– | HJK | 49 | (5) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007−2008 | Finland U15 | 6 | (1) |
| 2008−2009 | Finland U16 | 15 | (2) |
| 2009−2010 | Finland U17 | 12 | (2) |
| 2010−2011 | Finland U18 | 12 | (1) |
| 2011 | Finland U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2012 | Finland U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 2012 | Finland U21 | 11 | (0) |
| 2014 | Finland | 1 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 January 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 September 2013 | |||
Alho was born and raised in Finland but also carries British citizenship.
Football career
A product of his local side HJK, Alho came through its reserves, Klubi-04, before signing a professional contract on 2011, keeping him with the Helsinki-based side until 2014.
On 13 June 2013, he played his first league game for HJK and went on scoring twice in a 6−0 home win over FC Inter. Soon after performing well at HJK, he signed a contract that was effective until the end of 2015.
In 2014 HJK qualified for the Europa League group stage. Alho scored the decisive goal against Rapid Wien, in the qualifying match.
Alho moved to Allsvenskan side Halmstads BK in January 2017. After a difficult season the team was relegated back to Superettan.
Alho moved back to HJK for the 2018 season. After a successful season HJK won the Veikkausliiga. This was Alho's 4th domestic championship.
During the 2018 season Alho was also played as a right back by former HJK manager Mika Lehkosuo. Alho, known for his speed, aggressiveness and crossing ability, he was a perfect fit for a modern-day right back. Alho made the switch and had a successful season as right back during the 2019 season.
Outside football
Alho is also well known for making music. His debut single "Standing Right Here" went viral on YouTube and also hit radio stations in Finland in 2013. Alho was noticed by JVG the same year and signed a deal with their label, PME Records and WMG in December 2013. His contract with PME Records and WMG ended in November 2014. Alho has stated that he will continue to make music as a hobby but not sign again with a major label until after his football career is over. Football is and always has been his first priority.[1]
Alho is also the owner of an independent record label, 325 Media. Other owners include Jesse Joronen and Valtteri Moren.
Personal life
Alho's biological father is Ghanaian and his mother is Finnish.[2] He was adopted soon after by his English mother and Finnish father and was raised in Espoo with his younger sister, also adopted. He is a native speaker of both English and Finnish.
Alho attended the International School of Helsinki for the majority of his childhood, before transferring to Sports High School, Mäkelänrinteen Lukio.
References
- http://www.iltasanomat.fi/veikkausliiga/art-1421548159831.html
- Virtanen, Ari (26 May 2019). "Pukukopin "Veli" Alho". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 August 2019.
Biologinen äitini on suomalainen ja biologinen isäni on ghanalainen.
- (in Finnish) Profile at palloverkko.palloliitto.fi
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
- (in Finnish)
