Simo Valakari

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Simo Valakari
Personal information
Full name	Simo Johannes Valakari
Date of birth	April 24, 1973 (age 33)
Place of birth	Helsinki, Finland
Height	5'10
Playing position	midfielder
Club information
Current club	FC Dallas
Number	17
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1995-96 1996-00 2000-04 2004-06 2007-	FinnPa Motherwell Derby County FC Dallas TPS	48 (5) 111 (0) 46 (3) 85 (1) - (-)
National team2
1995	Finland	32 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 December, 2006. 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 25 November 2006. * Appearances (Goals)

Simo Johannes Valakari (born April 24, 1973 in Helsinki) is a Finnish soccer player, who currently plays defensive midfielder for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.

Valakari began his career in 1995 with FinnPa and moved to Scottish club Motherwell in 1996. After four seasons there, it was off to Derby County in the Premiership, but Simo failed to win a regular place in the squad. He transferred to the Dallas Burn before 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.^[1] After his contract was ended in 2006, Valakari decided to return to Finland. Were he signed with TPS.

A regular with the Finland national team during his stay in Europe, Valakari has compiled 32 caps for his country.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Carrick, Buzz. "FCD to Cut Ties with Simo Valakari", 3rd Degree, December 15, 2006, retrieved December 15, 2006.