Halmstads BK has signed Finnish midfielder Otso Liimatta on loan from Portuguese club FC Famalicão. The 21-year-old player most recently played on loan at IFK Värnamo in Allsvenskan in 2025, where he scored three goals in nine matches. Liimatta has already joined Halmstads BK's squad and is expected to be ready to play shortly.
Halmstads BK club chief Jesper Westerberg reportedly said the club has followed Liimatta's development for a longer time and that he is a player with a very high top level and playing intelligence who will add a lot to the team's attacking play. Liimatta broke through in Finnish club AC Oulu, where he debuted in the top league as a 16-year-old. He was named Finland's young player of the year in 2022 and Finland's U21 player of the year in 2023 after performances in European Championship qualifying, where he reportedly scored a hat-trick against Albania.
the club has followed Liimatta's development for a longer time and that he is a player with a very high top level and playing intelligence who will add a lot to the team's attacking play
Westerberg reportedly said the signing gives Halmstads BK more options in offense. Meanwhile, Halmstads BK has been known in recent years for giving young players opportunities in the first team. One of the latest players to get the chance is 18-year-old Oliver Kapsimalis, who signed his first first-team contract with the club last year and later debuted in Allsvenskan.
Kapsimalis reportedly said he likes when people underestimate the team, as that is when they are usually at their best, and that they want to do a better season than last year. He also reportedly said his dream is to play in Europe and that the club's willingness to give young players chances was an important reason he chose to sign.
the signing gives Halmstads BK more options in offense
he likes when people underestimate the team, as that is when they are usually at their best, and that they want to do a better season than last year
his dream is to play in Europe and that the club's willingness to give young players chances was an important reason he chose to sign