Kilmarnock: QPR defender Niko Hamalainen joins on season-long loan
- Published
Niko Hamalainen made three appearances while on loan to Los Angeles FC earlier this year
Kilmarnock have signed Finland defender Niko Hamalainen on a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Hamalainen, raised in the USA, brings competition for left-back Greg Taylor after Calum Waters was loaned to St Mirren and can also play centre-half.
The 22-year-old says he has been backed to thrive in Scottish football by Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara and former Ibrox left-back Lee Wallace.
"I can bring a lot going forward especially," Hamalainen said.
Hamalainen, who won his sole Finland cap in a friendly against Estonia in January, knows Kamara from the international set-up and is a club-mate of Wallace, who joined QPR from Rangers in June.
Hamalainen has made six appearances for the London team since joining in 2014 and played three games on loan at MLS side Los Angeles FC this year.
"I spoke to Lee and I also know Glen, they told me it's quite an aggressive league and said I can do a good job here," he added.
"I was surprised by the level in the MLS. It's aggressive - a lot of athleticism and technically good - so I think it will be similar here."
Kilmarnock knocked back a £500,000 offer from Nurnberg for Taylor in July and manager Angelo Alessio says the does not expect the 21-year-old to be sold during the transfer window.