LOS ANGELES (Friday, Aug. 6, 2021) – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired defender Niko Hämäläinen on loan from English Football League (EFL) Championship side Queens Park Rangers through the end of the 2021 MLS regular season. Hämäläinen owns a U.S. Passport and will not occupy an international slot on the club’s roster. He will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
The Galaxy traded $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Chicago Fire FC in exchange for the No. 1 spot in the MLS Waiver Order to acquire Hämäläinen.
Hämäläinen, 24, joins the Galaxy after making 29 appearances across all competitions for EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers (2017-21), seeing action in Championship and EFL Cup fixtures. During the 2019-20 Scottish Premiership campaign, on loan from QPR, Hämäläinen tallied two assists in 28 matches played (27 starts) for Kilmarnock FC. Additionally, the West Palm Beach, Fla., native registered an assist in three games played for LAFC during the 2019 MLS regular-season campaign while on loan from QPR.
Internationally, the 24-year-old has made seven appearances (4 starts) for the Finland Men’s National Team since making his senior team debut against Estonia on Jan. 11, 2019.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire defender Niko Hämäläinen on loan from English Football League Championship side Queens Park Rangers for the 2021 MLS regular season on Aug. 6, 2021. Additionally, the Galaxy traded $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Chicago Fire FC in exchange for the No. 1 spot in the MLS Waiver Order to acquire Hämäläinen.
Niko Hämäläinen
Pronunciation: hahm-uh-LINE-en
Position: Defender
Jersey Number: 15
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Date Of Birth: March 5, 1997
Age: 24
Birthplace: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Last Club: Queens Park Rangers (English Football League Championship)
Citizenship: Finland
Acquired: Acquired on loan from English Football League Championship side Queens Park Rangers for the 2021 MLS regular season on Aug. 6, 2021
