Born in Riga, as a youth player Māliņš played for his local club FK Auda, before moving to JFC Skonto in 2001.

[2] On 13 August 2011 Māliņš secured his club a late 1-1 draw in a league match against FC Jūrmala, scoring a goal with a header after a corner kick in the 94th minute.

[4] In 2012 Māliņš appeared in 39 matches as the team's captain, helping Skonto finish the championship as the runners-up and win the Latvian Cup.

Māliņš made his debut for the club on 3 August 2013 in a 5-1 league match victory over Naftan Novopolotsk, playing all 90 minutes and conceding a goal from the penalty spot.

He was called up to the Latvia national football team for a friendly match against Armenia on 11 February 2009, but did not join the squad due to his father's death.