Joni Kauko

Joni Ensio Kauko (born 12 July 1990) is a Finnish professional footballer who play as a midfielder.

Kauko made his international debut for Finland in January 2012, at the age of 21. He was a regular member of the team that won League C group 2 in 2018–19 UEFA Nations League.

Inter Turku
A product of local Inter Turku's youth system, Kauko signed his professional contract on 27 November 2007 at the age of 17. He made his Veikkausliiga debut six months later on 26 June 2008 against IFK Mariehamn. During his first season with the Turku-based club, he made only eight appearances, but helped his team to win the Finnish championship. He scored his first senior goal for Inter on 3 May 2009 against MYPA.

FC Lahti
After representing Inter for five seasons, his contract was not renewed after the 2012 season and he signed with FC Lahti for one season.

FSV Frankfurt
Six months after signing with Lahti, it was announced that Kauko had signed a two-year contract with an option to a third, with German 2. Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt.

Energie Cottbus
Upon expiry of his contract with FSV Frankfurt Kauko signed a two-year contract with German 3. Liga side FC Energie Cottbus.

Randers
In July 2016, Kauko signed a two-year contract with Danish club Randers FC.

Esbjerg
Two years later, on 28 June 2018, Kauko signed a contract with Esbjerg fB ahead of the 2018–19 Danish Superliga season.

Mohun Bagan SG
On 24 June 2021, Kauko joined Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan SG on a two-year deal. He was included in the twenty-two men squad by head coach Antonio Lopez Habas for the team's 2021 AFC Cup inter-zonal semifinal match against Uzbek side Nasaf, but they lost 6–0 and were eliminated from the tournament, in which he made his debut for the club.

On 19 November, Kauko made his Indian Super League debut against Kerala Blasters, in a 4–2 win. He scored his first goal for the club against NorthEast United, on 12 February, in a 3–1 win. He ended the league season with three goals in twenty appearances, as Mohun Bagan SG finished third in the standings and were eliminated in the semi-final playoffs.

Kauko scored a brace each against Blue Star, on 12 April, and against Maziya S&RC on 24 May in AFC Cup Preliminary round and Group stage respectively. As 2022–23 season began, he appeared with the club on 20 August against Rajasthan United at the 131st edition of Durand Cup, but lost the match by 3–2. Kauko suffered a serious knee injury in the match against FC Goa on 20th November 2022 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao and was brought off the field in the 59th minute of the match as the Mohun Bagan lost the match 0–3.

After being out for nearly 16 months due to injury, Kauko rejoined Mohun Bagan, replacing Hugo Boumous in the squad for the second half of the 2023–24 season. He returned to the pitch as a 61st-minute substitute in a 2–0 home win against Hyderabad FC. On 17 February 2024, Kauko provided a hat-trick of assists in a 4–2 home win over NorthEast United. On 31 March 2024, Kauko scored his first goal after the injury, in a 3–2 loss against Chennaiyin.

International career
Kauko was a regular member for the Finland's U21 during 2009–2012, making in total of 23 appearances and scoring three goals. He has also served as a captain for the Finland U-21 team.

He made his senior debut on 22 January 2012, in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. During Finland's qualification campaign for the UEFA Euro 2016 he was a member of the team in 8 matches but remained as an unused substitute. In 2018–19 UEFA Nations League he gained four caps and was in the starting line up on 15 November 2018 in a match against Greece.

Kauko was called up for the UEFA Euro 2020 pre-tournament friendly match against Sweden on 29 May 2021.

Honours
Inter Turku
 * Finnish League Cup: 2008
 * Veikkausliiga: 2008
 * Finnish Cup: 2009

FC Lahti
 * Finnish League Cup: 2013

Mohun Bagan
 * ISL Cup: 2022–23
 * Indian Super League Premiership: 2023–24

Finland
 * Baltic Cup third-place: 2014