HE was born in Scotland when his dad was a player here.
But he’d always dreamed of a career in the United States.
The midfielder’s header was the first ever at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego[/caption]
Meanwhile dad Simo is in Perth battling Premiership relegation with St Johnstone in the SPFL[/caption]
And now he’ made HISTORY in the MLS – the league he watched on TV in Dallas as a kid.
That’s where his old man played after he was born in Motherwell, and after a stint in England with Derby County.
Now dad Simo’s back in Scotland battling Premiership relegation with St Johnstone while Ooni is starring for the latest team to join the American set-up – San Diego FC.
And making a big impression. One that will be forever remembered.
The 25-year-old is on loan on the west coast from Cyriot side Pafos after a deal with AIK Stockholm last year.
The Californians have the option to buy the attacking midfielder out-right, and he’s doing his best to tempt them to the negotiating table with impressive appearances off the bench – including a historic goal at the weekend.
His header in the 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew was the first to be scored by the latest MLS franchise at their new Snapdragon Stadium home – albeit in the second game.
San Diego had drawn a blank on their home debut with St Louis City – held 0-0 – leaving the stage set for the Finland international to write his name into the record books.
Valakari junior said: “It’s always nice to score a goal and obviously our first goal here – it’s something special.
“I hope it opens up the lock for us that we can score even more goals.
“But I will probably show my children the goal and the fans when the stadium erupted – it was a nice feeling, but I’m a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get the second goal.
“But I want to want to help the team – I would have been as happy if somebody else would have scored.
“Obviously every player wants to play from the start.
“I think everybody on the bench deserves also to play from the start, but this is football, 11 players start and I think there are 11 players that have been starting have been performing really well.
DON'T SAY IT
DON'T SAY IT
DON'T SAY IT
DON'T SAY ITwhat a FINNISH by VALAKARI pic.twitter.com/xlGm7TjUOy
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) March 16, 2025
“We have to remember it’s a long season a lot a lot of things can happen so everybody just has to be ready for the chance and when you get the chance you have to Be able to make an impact.”
But Valakari has been loving life in his new hometown after moving from sunny Cyprus to the golden state.
He went on: “I actually lived in the US when I was young. I lived in Dallas.
“My father here played so in the beginning it’s always been a dream of mine to come to the MLS and play for a club and what better club to play than here in San Diego?
Dad Simo was a midfielder just like Onni[/caption]
Older brother Paavo was a goalkeeper and picked up international youth caps before he hung up his boots.[/caption]
“I knew about California when I lived here. I knew it’s a beautiful place and San Diego, especially.
“So this time that I’ve been here seven weeks has been been amazing – the fans, the city – amazing.
“You can feel feel it when I walk in the city that this town is something special. People want to achieve stuff here.
“I think that’s what we want to show on the field and try to do our best.”
And when one reporter joked the recent weather in southern California had been “terrible” Motherwell-born Valakari retorted: “Well, I’m from Finland so this has been summer for me.”
Onni’s brothers Toivo and Paavo also followed their father into the game.
Older brother, goalkeeper Paavo retired in 2022 after a career around the Finnish leagues and younger brother Paavo is also back home with Kapylan Pallo in the second division Ykkosliiga.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
