Juho Mäkelä

Juho Mäkelä (born June 23 1983 in Oulu) is a Finland football (soccer) who represents Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian F.C. having returned from a loan with HJK Helsinki. He is a striker especially known for his pace.

Club career

Early career

Mäkelä started his career with Oulun Luistinseura and Tervarit in his home-town, before moving to Veikkausliiga club HJK Helsinki for the 2003 season. He scored 33 goals in 66 appearances for the club in three seasons, and was the Veikkausliiga top scorer in 2005.

Hearts

Mäkelä signed for Hearts on a three-and-a-half-year deal during the January 2006 transfer window.
On September 20 2006 he scored a Hat-trick Football (soccer) on his first start for Heart of Midlothian F.C. in a Scottish League Cup tie against Scottish Second Division side Alloa Athletic F.C. in a 4-0 win. He scored with his head, and both his feet, scoring a "perfect" treble.

On January 16 2007 it was reported that Mäkelä was training with Germany side SpVgg Greuther Fürth pending a possible 6-month loan move, however it was subsequently announced that he would be spending the rest of the season with FC Thun. On 28th January 2008, Juho went on trial with Dutch side RKC Waalwijk who had been relegated at the end of the 2006/2007 season. On 24th April 2008, Makela returned to his former club HJK Helsinki on an initial three month loan deal.

On July 22 2008 it was confirmed by Heart of Midlothian F.C. that Mäkelä had returned from his successful loan spell with HJK Helsinki, in which he scored 6 goals in 12 games, and would immediately join his team-mates for pre-season training in Germany. Mäkelä's first game back was against a German regional select side in which he played the second half. He scored the sixth goal of the game with a powerful volley from 8 yards in a 6-0 victory.

International career

Mäkelä made his debut for the Finland national football team on February 3 2004 against China national football team. He is yet to become a regular for Finland.

Personal life

Mäkelä is currently dating Henna Ylilauri, who came second in the Miss Finland competition of 2004.

Honours

- Veikkausliiga: 2003
- Finnish Cup: 2003