Markus Halsti

Markus Halsti (born 19 March 1984) is a Finnish former professional football defender and midfielder.

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 Finland 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 Malmö FF. Before signing with GAIS, he was on trial with Italian Atalanta and Leeds United. The Norwegian clubs Start and Molde, as well as a few unknown Danish clubs were also interested to sign him, but found him too expensive.

During the 2013 season, Halsti became an integral part of the Malmö side that secured the championship in late October 2013. Halsti continued to play as a central midfielder during the season and played 28 matches and scored two goals in his most successful season yet at the club. Halsti scored the only goal of the game in the last minutes of the first half in the home fixture against title contender AIK on 11 August 2013. He later scored the club's last goal of the season in the 3–1 win against Syrianska FC at home on 3 November 2013. For the 2014 season Halsti sporadically captained Malmö FF and was officially selected to the Allsvenskan Team of the Year. Halsti made 26 league appearances during his last season at the club as well as participating in all 12 matches of the club's 2014–15 UEFA Champions League campaign.

D.C. United On 12 January 2015, it was announced that Halsti had signed with MLS club D.C. United on a free transfer. Halsti missed the first several months of the 2015 MLS season due to a knee injury, before making his debut in an away loss to the Philadelphia Union on 17 May 2015. Over the course of the season, Halsti made sporadic starts in central midfield for United, eventually garnering an extended run in the starting eleven during the final months of the season. Halsti also started all three of United's matches in the 2015 MLS Playoffs and made three appearances in the club's successful advancement from the group stage of the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League. Halsti and D.C. United mutually parted ways on 25 May 2016.

Midtjylland In June 2016, Halsti joined Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland.

International career Halsti made his debut for the Finland national team on 6 February 2008 in a friendly match against Greece. During 2013, he became a regular squad player, and was played in several defensive positions.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours

Club HJK Veikkausliiga: 2003, 2020, 2021 Finnish Cup: 2003, 2006, 2020

Malmö FF Allsvenskan: 2010, 2013, 2014 Svenska Supercupen: 2013, 2014

DC United ATX Pro Challenge: 2015

Midtjylland Danish Superliga: 2017–18

Footnotes