Ville Aleksi Jukanpoika Koski (born 27 January 2002) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Deportivo Alavés and the Finland national team.
Club career PK Keski-Uusimaa Born in Tuusula, Koski started playing football in the youth teams of local clubs Tuusulan Palloseura (TuPS) and PK Keski-Uusimaa. He made his senior debut with PK Keski-Uusimaa first team on 13 May 2018 at the age of 16, playing in the 1–1 draw against Jippo, in the third-tier league Kakkonen.PKKU VS. JIPPO 1 - 1, int.soccerway.com
Honka In 2019, he joined the FC Honka organisation in Espoo. He played with the club's reserve team Honka II in Kakkonen for two seasons, before he made his debut in the premier division Veikkausliiga on 12 September 2020, aged 18, with Honka first team, when he came in from the bench for the final minutes, in 1–3 away victory against Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS). Despite his young age, in the next season Koski quickly established his place in the starting line-up and became an integral part of the team's defense.Kova luu, Ilta-Sanomat, 20 July 2023Ville Koski suhtautuu jalkapalloon rennon itsekriittisesti: "En uppoa syviin vesiin", keski-uusimaa.fi, Miska Miettinen, 22 May 2023
Koski scored his first goal in the league on 13 August 2022, in a 4–0 away win against Ilves.ILVES VS. HONKA 0 - 4, int.soccerway.com
Istra 1961 In the early December 2023, it was announced that Koski had signed with Croatian premier division 1. HNL side Istra 1961 on a three-and-a-half-year deal.DOBRO NAM DOŠAO VILLE KOSKI, nkistra.com He was already close to sign with the club in the 2023 summer transfer window but the deal got cancelled then.Ville Koski siirtyy Kroatiaan, suomifutis.com, Tuukka Ikkeläjärvi, 3 December 2023 The transfer was effective in January 2024.Ville Koski novi igrač Istre, ofenziva.ffa.hrIstra 1961 dovela finskog reprezentativca!, istarski.hr, 2 December 2023Finac Ville Koski novi je igrač Istre 1961, regionalexpress.hr, 2 December 2023Ville Koski kertoi miten Kroatian pääsarja eroaa Veikkausliigasta: ”Ei koiteta aina pelata niin täydellistä jalkapalloa”, suomifutis.com, 4 September 2024
Alavés On 31 January 2026, Koski joined Spanish club Deportivo Alavés on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.EL DEPORTIVO ALAVÉS REFUERZA SU ZAGA CON EL CENTRAL VILLE KOSKI, deportivoalaves.com, 31 January 2026 He made his La Liga debut on 13 March, in a 1–1 draw against Villarreal.Ville Koski debytoi La Ligassa, laliiga.com, 14 March 2026 Koski started his first game in La Liga on 13 May, playing full 90 minutes in a 1–0 home win over Barcelona.Ville Koski oli kaatamassa Barcelonaa – valmentajalta kehut, suomifutis.com, 13 May 2026
On 15 June 2026, Koski signed a permanent five-year contract with Alavés for a €3 million fee.Deportivo Alavés have completed the permanent signing of Ville Koski from Istra 1961 in a record deal worth €3M, Croatian football On 12 September, Koski scored his first goal for Alavés in away match against Racing de Santander, becoming the second Finnish player ever after Jari Litmanen to score in La Liga.https://yle.fi/a/74-20245990, Yle, 12 September 2026
International career A regular Finnish youth international, Koski has represented Finland at various youth national team levels. He has also captained the Finland U21 national team.Pikkuhuuhkajat otti tärkeän voiton Azerbaidzhanista, Finnish FA/ Palloliitto, 7 June 2022 Koski was integral part of the Finland U21 team helping them to qualify for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final tournament, for the second time in the nation's history.
Koski made his full international debut for Finland senior national team on 12 January 2023, in a friendly match against Estonia.soccerwayVille Koski ja Agon Sadiku Huuhkajiin!, esporthonka.com, 30 December 2022
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPK Keski-Uusimaa2018Kakkonen130———130Honka Akatemia2019Kakkonen151—20—1712020Kakkonen121—30—151Total272005000322Honka2020Veikkausliiga1000—00102021Veikkausliiga17020—402302022Veikkausliiga2420020—2622023Veikkausliiga252203020322Total674405060824Istra 19612023–24HNL120———1202024–25HNL34030——3702025–26HNL18000——180Total640300000670Alavés (loan)2025–26La Liga5000——50Alavés2026–27La Liga7100——71Career total183770100602067
International
National teamYearCompetitiveFriendlyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFinland2023001010202400000020254Appearances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.0206020262Appearances in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League C.04Includes two appearances in the 2026 FIFA Series.060Total6070130
Honours Honka Finnish League Cup: 2022 Finnish Cup runner-up: 2023 Finland FIFA Series: 2026 Individual Football Association of Finland: U21 Player of the Year 2024
References