Essi Katriina Sainio (born 9 September 1986) is a Finnish footballer, who is currently plays for HJK in Finland. She played for SC Freiburg of Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga before having a few years break due personal reasons . She previously played for Turbine Potsdam in Germany and for AIK of the Swedish Damallsvenskan. Sainio began her senior career with Naisten Liiga clubs FC Honka and HJK in her home country. Since making her debut in 2006, Sainio won 45 caps and scored three goals for the Finland women's national football team. A winger who can also play as a full-back, she was part of the Finnish team which hosted UEFA Women's Euro 2009 and reached the quarter-finals.