valakari began his career with kontu in the finnish lower divisions, before first moving to finnpa in 1995 and then to scottish club motherwell in 1996. after four seasons in scotland, it was off to derby county in the english premiership. however, valakari failed to become a first team regular at pride park stadium and decided to join dallas burn for the 2004 mls season and finished the year with a goal and four assists. following the 2006 season, his contract was not renewed with the team, known by that time as fc dallas. valakari decided to return to finland for the 2007 veikkausliiga season, where he signed for tps turku managed by mixu paatelainen.