Ilari Akseli Kangasniemi (born 2 May 2007) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for club Leicester City.
Early career Kangasniemi began with local side Sepsi-78 before advanced through the ranks of the youth sector of SJK Seinäjoki.
In 2022, he made his senior debuts with the club's youth teams, playing in the sixth-tier Vitonen and the fourth-tier Kolmonen.
Club career During the 2023 season, Kangasniemi made six appearances with the club's academy squad SJK II, playing in Finnish second-tier Ykkönen. He also made one appearance in 2023 Finnish Cup for SJK II. On 25 September 2023, his deal with SJK academy was extended.Kangasniemi ja Harju SJK:n jalkapallolukioon, sjk.fi, 25 September 2023SJK uusiin pelaajasopimuksiin nuorten lupausten kanssa, Veikkausliiga, 25 September 2023
On 31 January 2024, Kangasniemi moved to Italy and signed a permanent contract with Inter Milan for an undisclosed fee. He was registered as a youth player in Inter Milan U17 squad.UFFICIALE – Inter, colpo in prospettiva: preso il difensore 2007 Kangasniemi, fcinter1908.it, 31 January 2024Chi è Ilari Kangasniemi, il nuovo colpo UFFICIALE dell'Inter, calciomercato, 31 January 2024Ilari Kangasniemi debytoi milanolaisjätti Interissä, palloliitto.fi, 21 February 2024
On 26 August 2025, Kangasniemi returned to Finland and signed with Veikkausliiga club Inter Turku on a deal until the end of 2028.Pitkä topparilupaus Ilari Kangasniemi siirtyy Milanon Interistä FC Interiin, interturku.fi, 26 August 2025 On 11 April 2026, he scored his first league goal, a winning goal on a stoppage time in a 2–1 home win over Ilves.Paita pois ja juhlimaan – Interin 18-vuotias toppari iski lisäajan lisäajalla, Turun Sanomat, 11 April 2026
On 26 August 2026, he joined Leicester City on a five-year contract,Ilari Kangasniemi Makes Leicester City Switch, lcfc.com, 26 August 2026 for a €2.5 million fee, making it the record transfer fee of Veikkausliiga.Ylen tiedot: Ilari Kangasniemi jättisiirrolla Englantiin – FC Inter kuittaa ennätyssumman, Yle, 26 August 2026
International career Kangasniemi is a regular Finnish youth international, and has represented his country at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level.U18-pojat nimetty Itävalta-tuplamaaotteluun, Finnish FA, 30 October 2023U17-pojat nimetty vuoden avausmaaotteluihin Portugalia vastaan, Veikkausliiga, 15 January 2024
Personal life His father Tapio is a Finnish volleyball player who has represented the Finland men's national volleyball team.x, Juuso Raja-Aho
Career statistics Ilari Kangasniemi stats, Football Association of Finland + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSJK Akatemia III2022Vitonen51–––51SJK Akatemia II2022Kolmonen10–––102023Kolmonen110–––110Total120000000120SJK Akatemia2023Ykkönen6010––70Inter Turku II2025Ykkönen40–––40Inter Turku2025Veikkausliiga20–––202026Veikkausliiga141317260304Total161317260324Leicester City2026–27League One0000––00Career total432417260605
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