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Paide Linnameeskond

Full name	Paide Linnameeskond
Founded	2004; 20 years ago (2004)
Ground	Paide linnastaadion
Capacity	500
President	Veiko Veskimäe
Manager	Ivan Stojković
League	Meistriliiga
2024	Meistriliiga, 3rd of 10
Website	http://www.paidelinnameeskond.ee
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Paide Linnameeskond, or simply Paide, is an Estonian professional football club based in Paide that competes in the Meistriliiga, the top flight of Estonian football. The club's home ground is Paide linnastaadion.

Founded in 2004, the club has played in the Meistriliiga since 2009 and has never been relegated. Paide Linnameeskond have won one Estonian Cup in 2021–22, and one Estonian Supercup in 2023.

History

Early history (2004–2016)

Paide Linnameeskond was founded in 2004 as a satellite club of Flora. The team entered the Western division of the IV liiga and saw four consecutive promotions from 2005 to 2008, when they were promoted to the Meistriliiga. Paide Linnameeskond finished their first season in the Estonian top flight in ninth place, but escaped relegation by defeating Warrior 2–1 on aggregate in the play-offs. In July 2010, former Paide Linnameeskond player Meelis Rooba was appointed as manager and in 2013, Estonian entrepreneur Veiko Veskimäe became the club's president.

Paide reached the 2014–15 Estonian Cup final, but lost to Nõmme Kalju 0–2. Rooba resigned as manager after the 2016 season and was replaced by another former player, Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko.

Professionalism, Europe and first trophies (2017–present)

Under Zahovaiko, Paide Linnameeskond transitioned into a professional football club and established themselves as one of the top teams in the top flight, finishing 5th in 2018 and 4th in 2019, earning their first ever European place finish. Paide made their debut in Europe on 27 August 2020 against Žalgiris, losing 0–2 in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. The club earned their first league medals in 2020 by finishing the season in 2nd place. Zahovaiko left Paide after leading the club to third in the 2021 season, being replaced by former player and Estonian national team coach Karel Voolaid.

In June 2021, Paide Linnameeskond announced its formal affiliation with the Gambian football club Real de Banjul. Throughout the cooperation between Paide Linnameeskond and Real de Banjul, multiple Gambian footballers have used Paide as a stepping stone, including Alassana Jatta and Muhammed Sanneh. In July 2021, Paide notably signed ex-Liverpool F.C. defender Ragnar Klavan from Serie A side Cagliari Calcio.

On 21 May 2022, Paide lifted their first-ever trophy after defeating Nõmme Kalju 1–0 in the Estonian Cup final, with Siim Luts scoring the winning goal in the 109th minute. The 2022–23 season saw Paide win their first European ties against FC Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Ararat-Armenia in the Europa Conference League first and second qualifying rounds, both on penalties. Paide hosted European matches at both rounds at the 1,500-capacity Pärnu Rannastaadion due to their own 500-capacity Paide linnastaadion not meeting UEFA Category 2 Stadium requirements. Their third qualifying round home debut, a 0–2 defeat to R.S.C. Anderlecht of Belgium, was played at the 14,336-capacity Lilleküla Stadium.

Paide Linnameeskond started the 2023 season by winning their first Estonian Supercup in a 3–2 victory against Flora, but after a poor start to the league season, Voolaid was sacked in May and replaced with Serbian coach Ivan Stojković. Paide reached the 2023–24 Estonian Cup final, but lost 2–4 to FCI Levadia.

Stadium

Paide Linnameeskond's home ground is the 500-seat Paide linnastaadion. In 2021, Paide announced their plan to construct a new and modern football stadium, which the club is aiming to have ready by 2028. In winter and early spring months, Paide Linnameeskond plays their home matches at the 542-seat Paide kunstmuruväljak artificial turf ground. Paide's football complex also includes an indoor football facility named Paide Jalgpallihall, which was opened in December 2024 and cost €3.5 million.

For European fixtures, Paide uses Pärnu Rannastaadion as their home ground due to Paide linnastaadion not meeting UEFA Category 2 Stadium requirements. The club has also used larger venues Kadriorg Stadium and A. Le Coq Arena as their home in their European ties.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Players

Current squad

As of 16 August 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  EST Mihkel Aksalu 2 DF  EST Michael Lilander 4 DF  EST Robin Kane 5 DF  EST Gerdo Juhkam 6 MF  EST Patrik Kristal 7 MF  EST Herol Riiberg 8 FW  EST Henrik Ojamaa 9 FW  EST Kristofer Piht 10 MF  EST Andre Frolov (captain) 11 FW  SEN Mechini Gomis 14 FW  EST Robi Saarma 15 DF  EST Hindrek Ojamaa 16 MF  SRB Predrag Medić 17 MF  EST Dimitri Jepihhin

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 FW  EST Siim Luts 20 FW  GAM Abdoulie Ceesay 23 DF  SRB Milan Delevic 25 DF  SEN Mouhamed Gueye 27 DF  EST Nikita Baranov 28 MF  EST Oskar Hõim 29 DF  EST Joseph Saliste 30 MF  GAM Alieu Gibba 34 FW  GAM Muhammed Suso 41 MF  EST Daniel Luts 56 GK  EST Mattias Sapp 80 FW  GHA Thomas Agyepong 99 GK  GAM Ebrima Jarju

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  EST Siim Aer (at Kuressaare until 31 December 2024) — MF  EST Silver Alex Kelder (at Pärnu Vaprus until 31 December 2024)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  EST Sten Jakob Viidas (at KPV Kokkola until 31 December 2024)

For season transfers, see transfers summer 2024.

Reserves and academy

Club officials

Current technical staff Position Name Head coach Ivan Stojković Assistant coaches Tarmo Kink Ats Sillaste Goalkeeping coach Jüris Sahkur Fitness coach Andrei Veis Video analyst Egon-Eret Rinaldo Physiotherapists Riina Riisik Marten Männi Management President Veiko Veskimäe Chief Executive Officer Jaanus Pruuli Sporting Director Gert Kams Head of Academy Mika Laurikainen

Managerial history Dates Name 2004–2005 Margus Luts 2006–2009 Viktor Mets 2010 Erki Kesküla 2010–2016 Meelis Rooba 2017–2021 Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko 2022–2023 Karel Voolaid 2023– Ivan Stojković

Honours

• Estonian Cup
  • Winners (1): 2021–22
  • Runners-up (2): 2014–15, 2023–24
• Estonian Supercup
  • Winners (1): 2023
  • Runners-up (1): 2021

Seasons and statistics

Seasons

Season	Division	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Top goalscorer	Cup	Supercup
2004	IV liiga	6	18	7	4	7	41	55	−14	25	Ergo Eelmäe (14)
2005		3	22	15	0	7	60	25	+35	45	Rauno Rikberg (18)
2006	III liiga	1	22	15	4	3	100	32	+68	49	Rauno Rikberg (48)
2007	II liiga	1	26	20	1	5	108	35	+73	61	Rauno Rikberg (34)	First round
2008	Esiliiga	4	36	14	12	10	58	44	+14	54	Karel Voolaid (9)	Second round
2009	Meistriliiga	9	36	6	4	26	21	97	−76	22	Meelis Rooba (5)	Third round
2010		8	36	6	7	23	30	79	−49	25	Mihail Ištšuk (6)	Second round
2011		6	36	13	6	17	40	51	−11	45	Tiit Tikenberg (10)	Second round
2012		6	36	11	9	16	34	52	−18	42	Stanislav Goldberg (7)	Semi-finals
2013		5	36	15	2	19	43	58	−15	47	Andre Mägi Lauri Varendi (7)	Third round
2014		6	36	9	8	19	39	67	−28	35	Rasmus Tomson (8)	Fourth round
2015		7	36	9	6	21	50	73	−23	33	Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (17)	Runners-up
2016		6	36	14	6	16	58	61	−3	48	Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (19)	Third round
2017		6	36	10	8	18	47	88	−41	38	Magnar Vainumäe (8)	Semi-finals
2018		5	36	14	9	13	64	74	−10	51	Samson Iyede (12)	Third round
2019		4	36	23	5	8	78	30	+48	74	Alassana Jatta (13)	Quarter-finals
2020		2	30	21	1	8	80	43	+37	64	Edrisa Lubega (14)	Fourth round
2021		3	32	18	8	6	66	35	+31	62	Henri Anier (26)	Fourth round	Runners-up
2022		3	36	19	8	9	84	37	+47	65	Robi Saarma (16)	Winners
2023		4	36	13	14	9	50	34	+16	53	Siim Luts (6)	Quarter-finals	Winners
2024		3	36	23	3	10	74	39	+35	72	Robi Saarma (15)	Runners-up

Europe

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent	Home	Away	Agg.
2020–21	UEFA Europa League	First qualifying round	Žalgiris	—	0–2	—
2021–22	UEFA Europa Conference League	First qualifying round	Śląsk Wrocław	1–2	0–2	1–4
2022–23	UEFA Europa Conference League	First qualifying round	Dinamo Tbilisi	1–2 (a.e.t.)	3–2	4–4 (6–5 p)
		Second qualifying round	Ararat-Armenia	0−0 (a.e.t.)	0–0	0–0 (5–3 p)
		Third qualifying round	Anderlecht	0–2	0–3	0–5
2023–24	UEFA Europa Conference League	First qualifying round	B36 Tórshavn	0–2 (a.e.t.)	0–0	0–2
2024–25	UEFA Conference League	First qualifying round	Bala Town	1−1 (a.e.t.)	2–1	3–2
		Second qualifying round	Stjarnan	4–0	1–2	5–2
		Third qualifying round	BK Häcken	1−1	1−6	2–7
2025–26	UEFA Conference League	First qualifying round

References

1. "Paide linna staadion" (in Estonian). Eesti Spordiregister. 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
2. ^ "Paide Linnameeskonna ajalugu" [History of Paide Linnameeskond] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
3. "Paide linnameeskond tagas hõbemedalid ja koha eurosarjas". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
4. "Uus peatreener on Karel Voolaid" [Karel Voolaid is the new head coach] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
5. "Paide alustas koostööd Jatta ja Sannehi kasvatajaklubiga" [Paide starts cooperation with youth club of Jatta and Sanneh] (in Estonian). Soccernet. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
6. "Gallery: Ragnar Klavan makes return to Estonian football, joins Paide". ERR. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024.
7. "Paide linnameeskond kirjutas end suurte tähtedega karikale". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
8. "HOOAJALÕPU SUUR INTERVJUU | Veiko Veskimäe tulemustest, peatreenerivahetusest, ambitsioonidest ja suurtest plaanidest". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023.
9. "INTERVJUU ⟩ Paide ehitab Eesti vägevaimat jalgpallikeskust, kuigi alaliit seda ei toeta" [Paide is building the most impressive football centre in Estonia, although the FA does not support it]. Postimees. 11 November 2024.
10. "Paide kunstmuruväljak sai uued tribüünid". Tre Raadio - Kesk-Eesti (in Estonian). 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
11. "Video: Paides avati kauaoodatud jalgpalli sisehall" [Video: The long-awaited indoor football hall was opened in Paide]. tv3.ee. 15 December 2024.
12. "Paide Linnameeskond Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
13. "Tere tulemast, Capelli Sport!". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
14. ^ "Meeskond" [Team] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
15. "Paide Linnameeskond". Estonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

External links

• Official website (in Estonian)
• Paide Linnameeskond at Estonian Football Association

• Paide Linnameeskond
• 2004 establishments in Estonia
• Association football clubs established in 2004
• Football clubs in Estonia
• Meistriliiga clubs
• Sport in Paide