Viljami Kari Veikko Sinisalo (born 11 October 2001) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Exeter City, on loan from club Aston Villa, and the Finland national team. Sinisalo previously played for FC Espoo in the Finnish Kakkonen (third tier), making his league debut aged only fifteen, and has appeared regularly at youth international level for Finland before debuting for the senior team in 2023.
Club career
Sinisalo spent his youth career with Hyvinkään Palloseura, HJK and FC Honka, and made his senior league debut for FC Espoo in June 2017, aged only 15.
Aston Villa
He joined Aston Villa's academy in 2018, and was a regular player in their under-18 and under-23 sides before joining Ayr United in the Scottish Championship on loan until the end of the season on 25 September 2020. He made his Ayr United debut on 6 October 2020, in a 5–2 away Scottish League Cup victory over Albion Rovers. On 8 April 2021, Sinisalo's loan was cut short, after he suffered a groin injury and returned to Aston Villa.
On 6 July 2021, Sinisalo was amongst several Academy players who were given new professional contracts. One year on, on 6 July 2022, Sinisalo renewed his Aston Villa contract once again.
Burton Albion (loan) On 11 July 2022, Sinisalo signed for League One club Burton Albion on a season-long loan. He made his debut on 9 August 2022, in a 2–0 EFL Cup defeat to Rochdale. The loan was ended early and Sinisalo returned to Villa on 1 January 2023.
Exeter City (loan) On 19 July 2023, Sinisalo joined Exeter City on a season-long loan. He was given the number 1 shirt, and got a clean sheet on his debut, a 3–0 League One victory over Wycombe Wanderers on 5 August 2023.
National football team
Sinisalo has played for Finland at under-17 and under-19 levels. On 17 November 2020, he made his debut for the Under-21s in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Malta. Sinisalo was named Finland U21's captain for their 15 November 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Estonia.
In December 2022, Sinisalo was named Finland's U21 Player of the Year for 2022.
On 14 September 2022, Sinisalo was called up in the Finland senior squad, previous to their UEFA Nations League matches against Romania and Montenegro. However, he was an unused substitute in both games.
On 12 January 2023, Sinisalo made his debut in the senior Finland national football team in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Estonia.
Personal life
Viljami Sinisalo's grandfather was the actor Veikko Sinisalo.