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Nikolai Alho

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Nikolai Alho
Nikolai Alho with HJK in 2018
Personal information
Full name Nikolai Aleksanteri Alho
Date of birth (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Helsinki, Finland
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7+12 in)
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
Asteras Tripolis
Number 17
Youth career
1999 Honka
HJK
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010−2012 Klubi 04 44 (13)
2012–2016 HJK 80 (13)
2012Lahti (loan) 8 (1)
2017 Halmstad 21 (1)
2018–2020 HJK 70 (5)
2021–2022 MTK Budapest 17 (0)
2022–2024 Volos 75 (2)
2024– Asteras Tripolis 5 (0)
International career
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 38 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 October 2024

Nikolai Aleksanteri Alho (born 12 March 1993) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Super League Greece club Asteras Tripolis and the Finland national team. Beyond football, Alho is known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes related to children and young people in Finland.[1]

Club career

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HJK

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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. On 17 September 2013, he signed a contract that was effective until the end of 2015.[2]

In 2014 HJK qualified for the Europa League group stage. Alho scored the decisive goal against Rapid Wien in the qualifying play-off round match.[3]

Loan to Lahti

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On 22 August 2012, Alho was announced at Lahti on loan for the rest of the season.[4]

Halmstad

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Alho moved to Allsvenskan side Halmstads BK in January 2017.[5] He left after one season.[6] After a difficult season the team was relegated back to Superettan.

Return to HJK

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Alho moved back to HJK for the 2018 season.[7] 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.[8]

MTK Budapest

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He signed for Hungarian Nemzeti Bajnokság I (NB I) side MTK Budapest at the beginning of the 2021 winter transfer window.[9]

Volos

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He signed for Super League Greece club Volos F.C. at the beginning of the 2022 winter transfer window, for an undisclosed fee.[10] On 19 December 2022, his contract was extended until the end of the 2023–24 season.[11] During the 2022–23 season, his first full season with the club‚ he played more minutes than any other player in his team, in all competitions combined.[12] After the 2023–24 season, he announced he would depart from the club.[13]

Asteras Tripolis

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On 17 June 2024, Alho signed a two-year deal with a fellow Super League Greece club Asteras Tripolis on a free transfer.[14][15][16]

International career

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He made his senior debut for the Finland national football team on 24 January 2014 at Nizwa Sports Complex in Nizwa, Oman, in a friendly match against Oman.[17]

Alho was called up for the UEFA Euro 2020 pre-tournament friendly match against Sweden on 29 May 2021.[18]

Personal life

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Alho's biological father is Ghanaian and his mother is Finnish.[19] 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.

Outside football

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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.[20]

Alho is also the owner of an independent record label, 325 Media. Other owners include Jesse Joronen and Valtteri Moren.[21][22][23]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 6 October 2024[24][25][26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Klubi 04 2010 Ykkönen 22 1 22 1
2011 Kakkonen 15 9 15 9
2012 Kakkonen 7 3 7 3
Total 44 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 44 13
HJK Helsinki 2011 Veikkausliiga 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
2012 Veikkausliiga 9 0 2 1 6 0 1[c] 0 18 1
2013 Veikkausliiga 23 3 0 0 6 2 2[c] 1 31 6
2014 Veikkausliiga 22 7 1 1 5 1 9[d] 1 37 10
2015 Veikkausliiga 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2016 Veikkausliiga 24 3 3 0 4 0 6[e] 0 37 3
Total 80 13 6 2 22 3 18 2 126 20
Lahti (loan) 2012 Veikkausliiga 8 1 8 1
Halmstad 2017 Allsvenskan 21 1 4 1 25 2
HJK Helsinki 2018 Veikkausliiga 27 5 7 1 4[d] 0 38 6
2019 Veikkausliiga 22 0 0 0 6[d] 0 28 0
2020 Veikkausliiga 21 0 8 0 29 0
Total 70 5 15 1 0 0 10 0 95 6
MTK Budapest 2020–21 NB I 13 0 3 0 16 0
2021–22 NB I 4 0 1 0 5 0
Total 17 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
Volos 2021–22 Super League Greece 15 0 0 0 15 0
2022–23 Super League Greece 34 1 2 0 36 1
2023–24 Super League Greece 26 1 2 0 28 1
Total 75 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 79 2
Asteras Tripolis 2024–25 Super League Greece 2 0 0 0 2 0
Career total 317 35 33 4 22 3 28 2 401 44

International

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As of match played 13 October 2024
Finland
Year Apps Goals
2014 1 0
2015 0 0
2016 0 0
2017 0 0
2018 0 0
2019 0 0
2020 6 0
2021 10 0
2022 8 0
2023 9 0
2024 4 0
Total 38 0

Honours

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HJK

Individual

References

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  1. ^ ali, Uh (2 February 2024). "Nikolai Alho Age, Height, Net Worth, Wife, Stats, Religion, Family Bio & More". Unfold Everyone. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Nikolai Alho jatkosopimukseen HJK:n kanssa". www.hjk.fi (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 25 February 2014.
  3. ^ HJK eteni Eurooppa-liigaan!, Iltalehti, 28 August 2014
  4. ^ "Nikolai Alho lainalle FC Lahteen". www.veikkausliiga.hs.prewise.com (in Finnish).
  5. ^ "Halmstad värvar finsk anfallare". www.fotbollskanalen.se (in Finnish).
  6. ^ "Suomalaislaituri saa lähteä kesken sopimuksen Ruotsin jumboseurasta - "Odotimme hänen pelaavan paremmin"". yle.fi (in Finnish). 7 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Nikolai Alho palaa Klubiin". www.hjk.fi (in Finnish). 6 February 2018.
  8. ^ HJK:n jättänyt laituri on uuden joukkueensa vanhimpia pelaajia vain 23-vuotiaana: "Ehkä vähän outoa", Yle, 20 February 2017
  9. ^ "MTK: finn válogatott jobbhátvéddel erősítettek". Nemzeti Sport. 21 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Ο Βόλος ανακοίνωσε τον Φινλανδό μπακ Άλχο". www.sport24.gr. 9 January 2022.
  11. ^ Στον Βόλο μέχρι το 2024 ο Αλχο, volosfc.com, 19 December 2022
  12. ^ N.Alho, int.soccerway.com
  13. ^ Nikolai Alhon tapahtumarikas kausi sai onnellisen päätöksen, Football Association of Finland, 8 May 2024
  14. ^ Ο Nikolai Alho στον ΑΣΤΕΡΑ ΤΡΙΠΟΛΗΣ!, asterastripolis.gr
  15. ^ Huuhkajien luottopelaaja sai huippusiirron, Iltalehti, 18 June 2024
  16. ^ Virallista! Tässä on Nikolai Alhon uusi seura, suomifutis.com, 18 June 2024
  17. ^ "Huuhkajat tasapeliin Omanissa". Football Association of Finland. 24 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Näillä pelaajilla Huuhkajat lähtevät kohti EM-kisoja – kaksi nimeä kiinnostivat yli muiden" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "HJK:n tähtipelaaja hylkäsi levytyssopimukset ja päätti panostaa jalkapalloon: "Ilmoitin, että ei kiitos" - Veikkausliiga - Ilta-Sanomat". Archived from the original on 18 January 2015.
  21. ^ Nouseva jalkapallotähti tekee räppiä - levy tulossa!, Iltalehti, 23 May 2014
  22. ^ Ensinäyttö: Laulava jalkapalloilija Nikolai Alho, Yle, 18 December 2014
  23. ^ 325 media laajentaa rosteriaan, klangi, 1 November 2018
  24. ^ "Nikolai Alho". flashscore.
  25. ^ Nikolai Alho, National-Football-Teams
  26. ^ Nikolai Alho, Finnish FA
  27. ^ Nikolai Alho lupailee vielä joskus paluuta HJK-paitaan – "Pelkkää rakkautta seuraa kohtaan", veikkausliiga.com, 17 January 2021
  28. ^ "Pallo-Koplan Veikkausliigan tähdistöjoukkue on valittu". www.veikkausliiga.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
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Media related to Nikolai Alho at Wikimedia Commons