Markus Halsti

Markus Halsti (born 19 March 1984) is a Finnish professional football defender and midfielder who plays for HJK Helsinki in Veikkausliiga.

Club Career

In Finland

Starting his career in FC Viikingit before moving to HJK in the Finnish top league in 2003, he debuted in 2003. His 2005 season ended badly with a serious injury in the middle of the season. Same injury came later in the beginning of 2007 when he again missed half of the season due to this fracture in his right leg. This was also his last year in HJK as he signed to a Swedish club GAIS after a tip off from former Finnish national team coach Roy Hodgson as a bosman. However, before he ever had a chance to make a debut for GAIS he moved to the Allsvenskan rivals Malmo FF. Before signing with GAIS, he was on trial with Italian Atalanta and Leeds United. The Norwegian clubs Start and Molde IF, as well as a few unknown Danish clubs were also interested to sign him, but found him too expensive.

Malmo FF

Following a disappointing couple of years with Malmo FF with a knee injury, Halsti reinvigorated his club career by heading in the 3–2 goal against Kalmar FF away from home in April 2010, which ultimately won Malmo the match. In the same game he also got injured, and due to this injury he missed most of the 2010 season. In 2010 Malmo FF won the league just ahead of their rivals Helsingborgs IF. Halsti played as a central defender and right defender positions during the 2011 season. He scored his second goal for the club in the away derby match against Helsingborgs IF, which eventually ended in a 2–2 draw.

In 2011 Malmo FF was close of qualification to the Champions League, first winning Rangers FC away 1–0 where Halsti played as a right back, and then getting 1–1 draw at home in a game where Halsti was injured once again. In the end GNK Dinamo Zagreb went to the Group Stage of the tournament by only one goal marginal, as they first won home 4–1 but then lost 2–0 in Malmo.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Маркус Хальсти (russian)