*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024
Joona Marko Aleksi Toivio (born 10 March 1988) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a defender. Toivio was a core defender of the Finland national team during 2011–2021.
Toivio's parents have worked as foster parents, and Toivio had many siblings while growing up.[1][2]
Club career
Early career
Earlier in his career, he was training with HJK's first team before he had a trial at Manchester United.[3] Though this proved unsuccessful, he later signed for AZ. He did not make a single appearance during his two years with AZ, and had a loan spell with Telstar before he decided to move to Swedish side Djurgårdens IF in January 2010.[4]
Molde
On 13 March 2013, Toivio signed for Norwegian side Molde, as a replacement for Vegard Forren who had moved to Southampton.[5] The transfer fee was reported to be €500,000.[6]
On 23 November 2013, he was an unused substitute as Molde defeated Rosenborg in the 2013 Norwegian Football Cup Final by a score of 4–2.[7] Molde would reach the final of the Norwegian Cup the following year as well, and this time Toivio started the match as Molde once again were crowned champions, with a 2–0 win over Odd.[8]
Häcken
In 2018, after leaving on a bosman from Termalica Nieciecza, Joona Toivio signed for Swedish side Häcken.[9] He made his competitive debut for the club on 19 August 2018 in a 2–0 away victory over Sundsvall, registering an assist on Alexander Jeremejeff's 54th-minute goal.[10]
On 1 November 2021, he signed a three-year contract with HJK beginning in 2022.[14]
International career
Toivio was the captain of the under-21 team, for whom he played in both midfield and in defense.
Since his senior debut in 2011, Toivio has been capped over 70 times for Finland.
In June 2021, Toivio was selected to the final 26-man squad for the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[15][16] It was Finland's first appearance in a major tournament.[17] Toivio started the nation's first match, a 1–0 win over Denmark in Copenhagen on 12 June. The game was overshadowed and initially suspended by the on-field collapse and cardiac arrest of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.[18][19][20] He played in two other group stage matches as well.
^Gerrit van Leeuwen (1 January 2010). "Defender leaves AZ". skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
^Trond Hustad & Renate Bævre Gilde (13 March 2013). "Toivio klar for Molde". rbnett.no. Romsdals Budstikke. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
