Onni Valakari’s Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Gabriel

Onni Valakari comes from a large Finnish sporting family with strong connections to professional football. The San Diego FC midfielder is the son of former Finland international and football manager Simo Valakari and his wife, Inkeri Valakari. Onni grew up with five brothers, two of whom are publicly known for their involvement in football.

Who Are Onni Valakari’s Parents?

Onni Valakari’s parents are Simo Valakari and Inkeri Valakari. His father’s football career meant that the family regularly moved between different countries during Onni’s childhood.

Onni was born in Motherwell, Scotland, on August 18, 1999, while Simo was playing for Motherwell FC. The family later lived in England and the United States before returning to Finland.

Onni Valakari’s Father, Simo Valakari

Simo Valakari is a former professional midfielder who represented Finland internationally. He played 32 matches for the Finnish national team and enjoyed a club career that included spells with Motherwell, Derby County, Dallas Burn—later renamed FC Dallas—and TPS.

After retiring as a player, Simo became a football coach. His managerial career has included positions with SJK, Tromsø, KuPS and St Johnstone. His work has continued the Valakari family’s close association with football.

Onni has described himself as particularly close to his father. Watching Simo train and compete professionally helped him understand from childhood that becoming a footballer was a realistic career.

Onni Valakari’s Mother, Inkeri Valakari

Onni Valakari’s mother is Inkeri Valakari. Although she maintains a lower public profile than her husband, Onni has spoken warmly about her contribution to his upbringing.

He credited Inkeri with driving him to training, preparing meals and ensuring that he had a positive circle of friends. Raising six boys while the family repeatedly moved because of Simo’s career required considerable commitment and adaptability.

The family also maintained traditions originating from Inkeri’s childhood home. Onni has explained that these traditions contributed to the close and supportive environment in which he and his brothers were raised.

How Many Siblings Does Onni Valakari Have?

Onni Valakari has five brothers and is the second youngest of the six boys. San Diego FC confirmed the size of the family in an official feature about the Finnish midfielder.

Onni explained that having five brothers made the family’s frequent moves easier because they always had one another. He also said that the brothers regularly competed and argued while growing up, helping him develop a competitive personality. All six boys played football during their childhood.

Only two of Onni’s brothers have been consistently identified in public football coverage: Paavo and Toivo Valakari. The names and occupations of his other three brothers have not been reliably documented.

Who Is Paavo Valakari?

Paavo Valakari is Onni’s older brother. Born in 1997, he played as a goalkeeper for clubs including SJK, JJK and Käpylän Pallo before ending his playing career.

Paavo subsequently moved into coaching. He has worked in Finnish football and later joined the coaching staff at St Johnstone, where their father Simo also worked.

Who Is Toivo Valakari?

Toivo Valakari is Onni’s younger brother and also pursued football. He has represented Käpylän Pallo in Finland and followed the sporting path established by his father and older brothers.

Finnish broadcaster Yle previously reported that Simo’s sons Paavo, Onni and Toivo all played football, with Onni being the only left-footed player among the three.

Who Is Onni Valakari’s Girlfriend?

Onni Valakari has confirmed that he has a girlfriend, but her name has not been disclosed by an official club or reliable sports publication.

In a 2026 San Diego FC interview, Valakari explained that his girlfriend helped turn their residence in California into a home by selecting the furniture. He also said they spend time together and socialize with other players’ families.

As of now, the couple has not publicly announced an engagement or marriage. It is therefore more accurate to describe her as his girlfriend rather than his wife.

Does Onni Valakari Have Children?

As of now, there are no reliable public reports confirming that Onni Valakari has children. Neither the player nor San Diego FC has announced that he has become a father.

References to Valakari spending time with other families in San Diego do not establish that he has children of his own. Any claim that he has a son or daughter would therefore be unsupported.

How Onni Valakari’s Family Influenced His Career

Football was a constant presence in the Valakari household. Onni watched his father play professionally, competed with his brothers and experienced life in several countries from an early age.

He began playing organized football while the family lived in Dallas, where Simo represented Dallas Burn and FC Dallas. After returning to Finland, Onni developed through Käpylän Pallo and SJK before playing for TPS, Tromsø, Pafos, AIK and San Diego FC.

San Diego acquired him permanently from Pafos in December 2025, giving him a contract through 2028 with an option for 2029.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Onni Valakari’s parents?

His parents are former Finland international footballer and manager Simo Valakari and Inkeri Valakari.

How many brothers does Onni Valakari have?

He has five brothers and is the second youngest of six boys.

Are Onni Valakari’s brothers footballers?

All six brothers played football while growing up. Paavo became a goalkeeper and coach, while Toivo has played for Käpylän Pallo. The careers of the other three brothers have not been publicly documented.

Who is Onni Valakari’s girlfriend?

Valakari has confirmed that he has a girlfriend, but her identity remains private.

Is Onni Valakari married?

As of now, no marriage or engagement has been publicly confirmed.

Does Onni Valakari have children?

As of now, there are no publicly confirmed reports that he has children.