Joni Ensio Kauko (born 12 July 1990) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ykkönen club SalPa.
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.
Club career Finland 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.
Lahti After representing Inter for five seasons, Kauko declined a contract extension after the 2012 season and he signed with FC Lahti for one season.
Germany 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.
Denmark Randers In July 2016, Kauko signed a two-year contract with Danish Superliga club Randers.
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 On 24 June 2021, Kauko joined Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan on a two-year deal.ISL 2020-21: Mohun Bagan signs Finnish international Joni Kauko from Euro 2020 sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 13 August 2021 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,Kauko included in Mohun Bagan squad The Hindu. Retrieved 18 September 2021 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 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 20 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,Turvavöille naureskelua, tulisia mehuja ja turvamiehiä treeneissä – Joni Kauko koki Intiassa jotain aivan uutta, ts.fi, Turun Sanomat, 7 January 2023 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.Mohun Bagan Super Giant - Chennaiyin FC, espn.com
Inter Kashi For the 2024–25 season, Kauko signed with Indian I-League club Inter Kashi.Huuhkajista tuttu keskikenttäpelaaja löysi töitä Intian pääsarjasta, atleetti.fi, 19 August 2024 Kauko made his official debut for his new club on 22 November, as a starter in a 1–0 home victory over SC Bengaluru. He scored his first goal for Inter Kashi on 20 December, in a 3–1 home win over Sreenidi Deccan.
Mumbai City After a short stint at KTP in Finland, Kauko returned to India to sign for Mumbai City on a contract until the end of the 2026 season. Following the expiry of his contract, Kauko left the club.https://x.com/MumbaiCityFC/status/2091074861804474694
SalPa After leaving Mumbai City, Kauko returned to Finnish league system, joining Ykkösliiga club SalPa on a contract until the end of the 2027 season.
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.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonDivisionLeagueCupLeague cupContinentalTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSinimustat2008Kakkonen167–––167Inter Turku2008Veikkausliiga8000––802009Veikkausliiga1934160203142010Veikkausliiga1600070202502011Veikkausliiga3130061–3742012Veikkausliiga244006120325Total9810412526013313FC Lahti2013Veikkausliiga901070–170FSV Frankfurt2. Bundesliga27020––2902014–152. Bundesliga21310––223Total483300000513Energie Cottbus2015–163. Liga3441021–375Randers2016–17Danish Superliga22100––2212017–18Danish Superliga29210––302Total513100000523Esbjerg2018–19Danish Superliga35821––3792019–20Danish Superliga30621–203472020–21Danish 1st Division26800––268Total91224200209724Mohun Bagan2021–22Indian Super League20300–642672022–23Indian Super League6230–101022023–24Indian Super League14100–00141Total4063000745010Inter Kashi2024–25I-League18300––183KTP2025 Veikkausliiga9000––90Mumbai City2025–26Indian Super League0000––00Career total4145817334315448068
International
National teamYearCompetitiveFriendlyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFinland2012001010201300202020140020202015001010201600101020170020202018400040201950005020202020402021501060Total160120280
Honours Inter Turku Finnish League Cup: 2008 Veikkausliiga: 2008 Finnish Cup: 2009
FC Lahti Finnish League Cup: 2013
Mohun Bagan Indian Super League Cup: 2022–23; runner-up: 2023–24 Indian Super League Shield: 2023–24
Inter Kashi I-League: 2024–25
Finland Baltic Cup third-place: 2014 UEFA Nations League: 2018-19 League C Winner
References
External links
Randers FC official profile Joni Kauko at FSV Frankfurt