Walta Joins Swansea City with Goal-Scoring Ambitions
Leo Walta made his senior Finland debut in June 2024 and now looks forward to bringing his impressive goalscoring record to the English Championship after transferring from the Swedish top division to Swansea City.
Walta completed his move to Swansea from Allsvenskan club Sirius on transfer deadline day. The Finland midfielder acknowledges the need to "adapt quickly" to the demands of the English second tier but remains confident in his ability to score for his new team.
"I think so," the 22-year-old said when asked if he can replicate his form in front of goal in south Wales.
"It's something that I've been practising my whole life so I hope I'm able to bring it also in Swansea."
Initially signed on a loan deal, it is anticipated that Walta's transfer will become permanent in July. Swansea’s head coach Vitor Matos targeted an attacking midfielder capable of impacting the final third during the latter stages of the mid-season transfer window, leading to the agreement with Sirius.
Walta had impressed by scoring 17 goals during the 2025 season in Sweden.
"I was happy I was able to score that many goals and it's always been one of my skills, good shots and passes," Walta said.
Sirius concluded their season in November and entered pre-season preparations for 2026, at which point Walta said his goodbyes. He made his Swansea debut as a substitute in last Sunday’s comprehensive victory over Sheffield Wednesday, having not played since the November international break when he made two appearances for Finland.
Walta’s Career Path and Adaptation to English Football
Walta is accustomed to change, having moved from HJK Helsinki in Finland to Norwegian club Nordsjaelland as a teenager. He subsequently played for Danish club HB Koge and Swedish side Mjallby before joining Sirius in 2024.
While he expects English football to be more "higher tempo and physical" than anything he has experienced, Walta is undeterred.
"The Championship is a league that I have followed all my life because it's shown on the TV in Finland, so I think I know quite a lot about it," he added.
Walta’s 19-minute appearance against Sheffield Wednesday was not his first in England. In September 2024, he made a substitute appearance in Finland's 2-0 Nations League defeat by England at Wembley.
That match was among his 10 international caps to date. Walta regards former Finland teammate Teemu Pukki, who retired from international duty in November, as a role model.
"How he did in this league and also in the Premier League was special," Walta said.
"He's such a nice guy as well outside the pitch. He even congratulated me for the move here, so that's nice."
The New Flying Finn?
Shefki Kuqi, a former Finland international striker, enjoyed successful spells in British football with clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, and Crystal Palace. Until Walta's arrival, Kuqi was the only Finnish player to have played for Swansea, having spent a year in Wales after being signed by Paulo Sousa in 2010.
Walta is old enough to remember Kuqi’s time at Swansea and is familiar with his countryman’s iconic goal celebration, the sprawling dive that earned Kuqi the nickname 'Flying Finn'.
"I was a bit too young, but I've seen the celebrations that he had here," Walta said.
And will he give it a try? "Possibly," he added with a smile.
