LAFC has acquired midfielder Leo Walta on loan from English Championship club Swansea City through the remainder of 2026 with an option to make the loan permanent. The move is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“Leo is a talented young player who has shown his quality throughout his career. His creativity, technical ability and versatility in midfield can make him another important piece of our team,” said LAFC President of Soccer Operations John Thorrington. “We thank Swansea for their collaboration and are excited for what Leo can bring to LAFC as we continue our pursuit of trophies.”
Walta comes to the Black & Gold after scoring one goal in 11 EFL Championship appearances. He initially joined the Swans on loan from Swedish Allsvenskan club IK Sirius in February of this year before moving to Swansea permanently in July. The attacking midfielder also played in one Carabao Cup match at the beginning of this season for the Welsh club.
Before his stint in England, the now 23-year-old enjoyed two breakout seasons with IK Sirius, totaling 23 goals and six assists in 59 league appearances. He added another goal in four Svenska Cupen appearances. His 16 goals during the 2025 Allsvenskan set the IK Sirius club record for most goals in a single season.
Walta made his professional debut for Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjælland during the 2021 season as an 18-year-old. In total, he logged five assists in 23 appearances for the first team after he had become an integral part of the club’s U-19 and reserve sides, recording a combined total of 10 goals and three assists in 46 appearances for the development teams.
In total, Walta spent four years at FC Nordsjælland, including loan spells at Danish second division side HB Køge (three goals and four assists in 14 appearances) and Allsvenskan club Mjällby AIF (two goals in 12 appearances) throughout 2023.
The Vantaa, Finland, native is a product of the HJK Helsinki youth system, first joining the club as an eight-year-old. His development was such that by the time left the club at 16, he had begun playing for HJK's reserve team, Klubi 04, in the Finnish third division.
Internationally, Walta has made 14 appearances for Finland, scoring one goal and contributing three assists. He previously represented his nation consistently at youth levels from U-15 through the U-21 age group.
Name: Leo Eemil Walta
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Height: 5’7”
Birthplace: Vantaa, Finland
Citizenship: Finland
Last Club: Swansea City (Wales)
TRANSACTION: LAFC acquires midfielder Leo Walta on loan from English Championship club Swansea City through 2026 with an option to make the loan permanent.
