Walter Viitala

Walter Viitala (born 9 January 1992) is a Finnish former professional footballer who last played as goalkeeper for Inter Turku.

Club career After winning the Finnish championship title with IFK Mariehamn, on 15 December 2016, Viitala signed a 2.5-year contract with Viborg FF on a free transfer. He made his debut in a 1–0 victory against AaB on 8 April 2017.

On 11 August 2018 Viitala signed for Swedish champions Malmö FF. He signed a short-term contract for the rest of the year to replace injured back-up goalkeeper Fredrik Andersson. He made his first appearance for Malmö FF on 23 September 2018, when he replaced an injured Johan Dahlin at halftime in a 4–0 victory over Kalmar FF. He made his first start a week later in a 0–0 draw against GIF Sundsvall.

On 2 December 2021, he joined Inter Turku on a two-year contract. He retired after the 2023 season.

International career Viitala is a former youth international for Finland, and represented his country from under-16 to under-21 level.

In November 2016, Viitala received his first call-up to the senior Finland squad for the match against Ukraine. He made a debut on 9 January 2017 in a 1–0 win against Morocco in Al Ain.

Coaching career After retiring as a player, on 24 October 2023, it was announced that Viitala starts as a goalkeeping coach in his former youth club PPJ.

Career statistics Club .

International

Honours IFK Mariehamn Veikkausliiga (1): 2016 Finnish Cup: 2015

Individual Veikkausliiga Player of the Month: April 2016 Veikkausliiga Goalkeeper of the Year: 2016 Veikkausliiga Team of the Year: 2016