Nice find. Evidently a '97: http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/60852305/47187170-60852392/64670655.html Was based in Florida for some time: http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-player-profile/nicholas-hamalainen/pid-10031651 But, yes, also FCD: http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2013/10/fc-dallas-academy-update-week-3 FC Dallas sure gets hit from all sides -- their players go to top colleges, Mexico, Europe and, if they're lucky, even FC Dallas...
From his Twitter profile: Niko Hamalainen @Niko_Hamalainen Hebrews 12:11 / Footballer for Queens Park Rangers / Florida London, England / American and Finnish Also on Instagram: http://instagram.com/niko_ah Looks like he was called up to the Finnish U18 squad for a pair of friendlies against Montenegro in August: http://www.kymppipaikka.fi/Junnufutis/U18-maajoukkue-nimetty-Montenegro-peleihin
LB – Niko Hämäläinen: Of Finnish descent, Niko is a strong fullback, regularly starting for Finland’s U21s and a rotation defender for Queens Park Rangers. With only two appearances — a few weeks ago on loan to League Two’s Dagenham & Redbridge as well as an appearance for the club in League Cup against Charlton — the youngster has a lot to prove, but he still has lots of time to improve and get a spot in QPR’s starting XI. https://tr.im/9ySRJ
@bungadiri @Friedel'sAccent -- To the Academy for this young fellow. He'll be back to YA soon enough.
18 y/o, US-eligible LB Niko Hamalainen started for QPR's U21 side last night. https://t.co/was4QlXC9R— Nats Abroad (@Nats_Abroad) February 16, 2016
CALL-UP: #QPR youngster @Niko_Hamalainen has been called-up for Finland's Under-21s: https://t.co/6PKCcHg8xC pic.twitter.com/b5zQ4Gq8Xc— QPR FC (@QPR) March 15, 2016
I am happy to say I have signed a professional contract with QPR. I just want to Thank God for everything so far! 💙 pic.twitter.com/luJYR6uYAe— Niko Hamalainen (@Niko_Hamalainen) April 13, 2016
I'm hoping someone in US Soccer has informed this kid how weak we are at LB. Come to the dark side, Niko.
So this kid basically grew up in US. Had he ever been invited to any YNT camps? If not, he shoukd just flip us the bird and play for Finland. Crackerjack player selection and talent ID once again at YNT.
Although he was apparently affiliated with FC Dallas, I believe that he was spotted and recommended to QPR by David Bardsley, ex-QPR defender who now runs football schools in Florida and also recommended Carreiro & Petrasso from Toronto.
Niko started for QPR's senior team in a friendly vs. Aldershot Town. http://www.indyrs.co.uk/2016/07/aldershot-town-2-qpr-3/
Debut: 📝 The #QPR team is in at Loftus Road! See full #QPRSUN team news: https://t.co/HWvSoDMeKW pic.twitter.com/ZHRKqhbX5F— QPR FC (@QPR) September 21, 2016 @bungadiri
http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/niko-hamalainen-lowdown-qpr-youngster-making-debut-sunderland This kid should be in the youth set-up for us. He's as American as 'apple pie', and reps the fact he was born and raised here.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/09/2...fans-react-on-twitter-to-niko-hamalainens-de/ Queens Park Rangers fans react on Twitter to Niko Hamalainen's debut in the EFL Cup http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/2...r-sunderland-efl-cup-loftus-road-3322071.aspx “It was definitely a proud moment,” he told www.qpr.co.uk. “I’ve been training for the past two-and-a-half years to finally get to make my debut for QPR. “It was a proud moment too for my family, who flew over today to see it.”