Mika Aaltonen

Mika Aaltonen (born November 16, 1965 in Turku) is a former Finnish football (soccer) player. His position was an attacking central midfielder. He also played for the Finnish national team.

During his career (1982–1994) he played in Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Israel for TPS, Inter Milan, Bellinzona, Bologna, Hertha BSC Berlin, Twente Enschede and Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C.. He finished his career at a relatively young age because of a persisten ankle injury, and because concetrating more on his studies. Aaltonen studied throughout his playing career, and after retiring from football, he holds a doctorate degree in economics.

Aaltonen is best remembered for a suberb goal scored against Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga in UEFA Cup in 1987 during a match between Turun Palloseura and Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan This goal more or less earned him a transfer to Inter shortly afterwards.

Teams

1982-1987	Turun Palloseura
1987-1990	F.C. Internazionale Milano, Italy
1988	AC Bellinzona, Switzerland
1989	Bologna F.C. 1909, Italy
1990	Hertha BSC Berlin, Germany
1990-1993	Turun Palloseura
1993-1994	Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C., Israel
1994	Tampereen Pallo-Veikot

Recommended reading

• Jalkapallon Pikkujättiläinen (WSOY 2003) ISBN 978-951-0-27037-0 (in Finnish)