Viljami Sinisalo is a player Celtic rate highly.
The Finnish international joined Celtic in the summer of 2023 as Sinisalo became the understudy of Kasper Schmeichel.
Sinisalo signing for Celtic caused plenty of pain amongst the Rangers support and after an impressive Glasgow Derby debut at Ibrox, it appears Brendan Rodgers had signed a talented young goalkeeper.
So as Celtic fans wait for the time Sinisalo becomes the Hoops’ number one, who exactly is Kasper Schmeichel’s heir?
Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo Player Profile
Details
- Full Name: Viljami Kari Veikko Sinisalo
- Date of Birth: October 11, 2001
- Age: 23 (as of June 29, 2025)
- Place of Birth: Espoo, Finland
- Nationality: Finnish
- Height: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
- Weight: Approximately 87 kg (13 st 9 lb)
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Foot: Right
- Jersey Number: 12
- Current Club: Celtic FC
- Contract Details: Signed a five-year contract until June 30, 2029 (joined July 2024 from Aston Villa for £1m)
- Market Value: €0.7m–€1.5m (approximately £0.6m–£1.3m, as of March 2025)
Viljami Sinisalo Career Overview
As previously said, Viljami Sinisalo is a highly-rated Finnish goalkeeper known for his commanding presence, shot-stopping ability, and composure with the ball at his feet.
Signed by Celtic in July 2024 for £1m from Aston Villa, he was brought in as a long-term successor to Kasper Schmeichel.
Sinisalo has gained valuable first-team experience through loan spells and has impressed in his appearances for Celtic, particularly during Schmeichel’s injury absence in 2024–25.
- Youth Career:
- HyPS, HJK, Honka (2010–2017): Progressed through Finnish youth systems.
- Espoo (2017): Made senior debut in Finnish Kakkonen (third tier) at age 15.
- Aston Villa Academy (2018–2020): Joined in 2018, playing for U18 and U23 sides.
Viljami Sinisalo at Aston Villa (2018–2024):
- Signed professionally in 2018 but made no senior appearances, serving as a backup.
- Loan spells:
- Ayr United (2020–2021): 10 appearances in Scottish Championship.
- Burton Albion (2022–2023): 15 appearances in English League One.
- Exeter City (2023–2024): 50 appearances, named Player of the Year for the League One side.
- Celtic (2024–Present):
- Signed for £1m in July 2024. Stepped up as first-choice goalkeeper during Schmeichel’s shoulder injury, making over 10 appearances in 2024–25.
International Career (Finland)
- Caps: 2 (as of June 2025)
- Goals: 0
- Debut: January 12, 2023, against Estonia (friendly, 1–0 defeat)
- Notable Moments:
- Competitive debut in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against San Marino (November 20, 2023).
- Notable Moments:
- Competitive debut in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against San Marino (November 20, 2023).
- Captained Finland U21s in a 2021 UEFA U21 I Championship qualifier.
- Started in 2024–25 Euro qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers, showing promise as Finland’s future No. 1.
Viljami Sinisalo’s Celtic Debut
- Date: February 8, 2025
- Match: Celtic 5–0 Raith Rovers (Scottish Cup)
- Details: Kept a clean sheet in a dominant win, earning praise for his distribution and command of the box.
Career Highlights
- Club Achievements:
- Celtic:
- Scottish Premiership: 2024–25
- Scottish League Cup: 2024
- Exeter City:
- Celtic:
- League One Player of the Year: 2023–24
- Individual Awards:
- Named Celtic’s Man of the Match in a 3–0 win over Hearts (March 29, 2025), praised by Brendan Rodgers as “excellent.”
Viljami Sinisalo’s 2024–25 Season Celtic Stats
- Appearances: 12 (11 starts, 1 substitute appearance)
- Clean Sheets: 5
- Goals Conceded: 8
- Notable: Made crucial saves in a 3–0 league win over Hearts (March 29, 2025) and a 1–1 draw at Ibrox (May 4, 2025).
Injury History: Suffered a groin injury during his Ayr United loan (2021), but no major issues since, showing good durability.
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