Akseli Puukko

Akseli Puukko (born 24 August 2006) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for KuPS, and the Finland U19 national team.

Club career FC Lahti After playing in the youth sector of his hometown club FC Lahti organisation, Puukko signed his first professional contract with the club on 30 September 2022, on a three-year deal. Puukko made his Veikkausliiga debut at the age of 16, on 16 October 2022 at home against HIFK, after being named in the starting line-up. He played 77 minutes in a 6–1 victory.

On 16 November 2023, FC Lahti announced that Puukko had extended his contract with the club, signing a deal until the end of the 2026 season.

Bologna On 30 August 2024, it was confirmed that Puukko would join the Italian Serie A club Bologna for an undisclosed fee. However, he was first assigned to the youth academy team, competing in Primavera. He also represented Bologna in the UEFA Youth League.

International career Puukko is a regular Finnish youth international, having represented Finland at under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19 youth national team levels.

In September 2022, Puukko was named in the Finland U17 squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification tournament against Greece, Italy and Kosovo, playing in all three games. Finland finished 2nd in the group and qualified to the elite round in March 2023.

Puukko was part of the Finland U18 squad winning the friendly tournament Baltic Cup in June 2023.

In October 2023, Puukko was part of the Finland U19 squad in the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification tournament, scoring one goal in three games against Romania, Czech Republic and San Marino.

Career statistics

Honours Finland U18 Baltic Cup: 2023