Joakim Latonen

Joakim Latonen (born 24 February 1998) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays for Veikkausliiga club Gnistan, as an attacking midfielder.

Early career
Latonen started to play football in a youth team of Kaarinan Pojat (KaaPo) in Kaarina.

Turun Palloseura
Latonen joined the youth sector of Turun Palloseura (TPS) in the neighbouring town of Turku in 2015. He made his senior debut with TPS first team in Veikkausliiga in 2018. During the season, he occasionally represented the associate farm club Salon Palloilijat (SalPa), playing in third-tier Kakkonen.

He spent four seasons with TPS, alternately in Veikkausliiga and second-tier Ykkönen, before his departure was announced in December 2021.

IFK Mariehamn
For the 2022 season, he signed a one-year contract with IFK Mariehamn in Veikkausliiga.

IF Gnistan
On 31 January 2023, Latonen signed with IF Gnistan in the second-tier Ykkönen. He was named the Ykkönen Player of the Month in September and October 2023. At the end of the season, Latonen won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in Ykkönen, and Gnistan were promoted to Veikkausliiga via supplemental process. Latonen was also named the Best Player and the Best Forward in Ykkönen.

On 2 January 2024, he renewed his contract with Gnistan, signing a one-year deal for the 2024 season. On 24 February 2024, Latonen scored a hat-trick in a 5–2 Finnish League Cup win against EIF. On 6 April 2024, Latonen scored the first-ever goal for Gnistan in Veikkausliiga, in the opening match of the 2024 season, an equalizer from penalty spot against Inter Turku. Gnistan eventually won the game 2–1. On 13 April 2024, Latonen scored his first hat-trick in Veikkausliiga, in a 6–4 away win against Ilves.

Honours
Turun Palloseura
 * Ykkönen: 2019 Runners-up

IF Gnistan
 * Ykkönen: 2023 Runners-up

Individual

 * Ykkönen: Player of the Year 2023
 * Ykkönen: Forward of the Year 2023
 * Ykkönen Player of the Month: September and October 2023