Niklas Orjala

Niklas Orjala
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-07-30) 30 July 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Helsinki, Finland
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
–2016 NJS
2017–2022 KuPS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 KuFu-98 15 (1)
2022 KuPS 0 (0)
2022 KuPS II 14 (2)
2023 MP 18 (0)
2024 AC Oulu 7 (0)
2024 → OLS (loan) 13 (1)
International career
2022 Finland U18 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024

Niklas Orjala (born 30 July 2004) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a left back.

Career

Orjala started to play football in Nurmijärven Jalkapalloseura (NJS), before joining the youth sector of Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) in 2017.[1] Orjala started his senior career in 2021 with KuFu-98, KuPS reserve team, in the third-tier Kakkonen. He made one appearance with KuPS first team, debuting on 29 January 2022 in a Finnish League Cup win against Vaasan Palloseura (VPS).[2]

Orjala signed with Mikkelin Palloilijat (MP) in second-tier Ykkönen for the 2023 season.[3][4]

On 17 November 2023, Orjala signed a two-year deal with the Veikkausliiga club AC Oulu, with an option for an additional year.[5][6][7] His contract with Oulu was terminated in January 2025.

Career statistics

As of 23 October 2024.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
KuFu-98 2021 Kakkonen 15 1 – – – 15 1
KuPS 2022 Veikkausliiga 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
KuPS Akatemia 2022 Kakkonen 14 2 – – – 14 1
MP 2023 Ykkönen 18 0 2 0 2 0 – 22 0
AC Oulu 2024 Veikkausliiga 7 0 3 0 1 0 – 11 0
OLS (loan) 2024 Ykkönen 13 1 – – – 13 1
Career total 67 4 5 0 4 0 0 0 76 4
  1. ^ Includes Suomen Cup
  2. ^ Includes Finnish League Cup

References

  1. ^ Tulospalvelu Palloliitto, N.Orjala, Finnish FA/ Palloliitto
  2. ^ KUPS VS. VPS 3 - 1, soccerway
  3. ^ EDUSTUS: Laituri Niklas Orjala MP:n riveihin, mikkelinpalloilijat.fi
  4. ^ MP:n Niklas Orjala, 18, totuttelee uuteen kaupunkiin ja pelipaikkaan – "Kyllä mä odotan että Urskiin pääsee", lansi-savo.fi, Hanna Knaappila, 13 April 2023
  5. ^ NIKLAS ORJALA LIITTYY LAIVASTONSINISIIN, acoulu.fi, 17 November 2023
  6. ^ Pelaajaliikennettä Mikkelin Palloilijoissa: Jan Heinonen jatkaa MP:ssä, Niklas Orjala siirtyy AC Ouluun, lansi-savo.fi, Hanna Knaappila, 17 November 2023
  7. ^ Veikkausliigan seura nappasi Minihuuhkajien pelaajan Ykkösestä, sportti.com, 17 November 2023