Joona Marko Aleksi Toivio (born 10 March 1988) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Veikkausliiga club KTP. Toivio was a core defender of the Finland national team during 2011âÂÂ2021.
He has previously played for Klubi 04, AZ, Telstar, Molde, DjurgÃÂ¥rden, and Termalica Nieciecza.
Toivio's parents have worked as foster parents, and Toivio had many siblings while growing up.
Earlier in his career, he was training with HJK's first team before he had a trial at Manchester United. 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 DjurgÃÂ¥rdens IF in January 2010.
On 13 March 2013, Toivio signed for Norwegian side Molde, as a replacement for Vegard Forren who had moved to Southampton. The transfer fee was reported to be â¬500,000.
On 23 November 2013, he was an unused substitute as Molde defeated Rosenborg in the 2013 Norwegian Football Cup Final by a score of 4âÂÂ2. 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 2âÂÂ0 win over Odd.
In 2018, after leaving on a bosman from Termalica Nieciecza, Joona Toivio signed for Swedish side Häcken. He made his competitive debut for the club on 19 August 2018 in a 2âÂÂ0 away victory over Sundsvall, registering an assist on Alexander Jeremejeff's 54th-minute goal.
On 30 May 2019, Toivio scored for Häcken in the 2019 Svenska Cupen Final, a convincing 3âÂÂ0 victory over AFC Eskilstuna.
During the 2020 Allsvenskan season, Tovio played every minute for Häcken as the club finished in third place and qualified for the Europa Conference League second qualifying round. Häcken reached the 2021 Svenska Cupen Final where they faced Hammarby at the Tele2 Arena on 30 May 2021. After finishing 0âÂÂ0 after extra time, the match went to penalty-kicks; Toivio converted his kick but Häcken fell 4âÂÂ5 in the shoot-out with the solitary miss coming from Bénie Traoré.
On 1 November 2021, he signed a three-year contract with HJK beginning in 2022.
On 17 January 2025, Toivio joined newly promoted Veikkausliiga club KTP for the 2025 season.
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. It was Finland's first appearance in a major tournament. Toivio started the nation's first match, a 1âÂÂ0 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. He played in two other group stage matches as well.
Toivio announced his retirement from international football after 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against France on 16 November 2021, along with fellow centre-back Paulus Arajuuri.
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Molde
BK Häcken
HJK