Paide Linnameeskond

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Paide Linnameeskond
Paide Linnameeskond logo.png
Full namePaide Linnameeskond
Founded2004;21 years ago (2004)
Ground Paide linnastaadion
Capacity500 [1]
PresidentVeiko Veskimäe
Manager Vladimir Vassiljev
League Meistriliiga
2024 Meistriliiga, 3rd of 10
Website http://www.paidelinnameeskond.ee

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.

Contents

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. [2] 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. [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. [3] 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. [4]

Andre Frolov lifting Paide's first-ever trophy, the 2021-22 Estonian Cup Andre Frolov.png
Andre Frolov lifting Paide's first-ever trophy, the 2021–22 Estonian Cup

In June 2021, Paide Linnameeskond announced its formal affiliation with the Gambian football club Real de Banjul. [5] Throughout the cooperation between Paide Linnameeskond and Real de Banjul, multiple Gambian footballers have used Paide as a stepping stone, including Alassana Jatta, Muhammed Sanneh and Abdoulie Ceesay. In July 2021, Paide notably signed ex-Liverpool F.C. defender Ragnar Klavan from Serie A side Cagliari Calcio. [6]

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. [7] 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. In January 2025, Paide Linnameeskond became the first Estonian club to sell a player directly to a 'Big Five' league, as Abdoulie Ceesay was acquired by St. Pauli of Bundesliga. [8]

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. [9] [10] In winter and early spring months, Paide Linnameeskond plays their home matches at the 542-seat Paide kunstmuruväljak artificial turf ground. [11] Paide's football complex also includes an indoor football facility named Paide Jalgpallihall, which was opened in December 2024 and cost €3.5 million. [12]

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

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsorRef
2011–2015 Nike Verston [13] [14]
2016–2017Enemat
2018–2021Verston
2021–2023Exmet, Verston
2024– Capelli Sport Verston

Players

Current squad

As of 25 August 2025 [15] [16]

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.NationPlayer
2 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Michael Lilander
3 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Victor Hugo
5 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Gerdo Juhkam
6 MF Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Luqman Gilmore
7 FW Flag of The Gambia.svg  GAM Pa Assan Corr
8 FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Henrik Ojamaa
9 FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Henri Anier
10 MF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Martin Miller
11 FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Sten Reinkort
12 GK Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Marko Meerits
17 FW Flag of The Gambia.svg  GAM Pa Abdou Cham(on loan from Real Banjul )
19 FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Siim Luts
20 FW Flag of The Gambia.svg  GAM Muhammed Suso
No.Pos.NationPlayer
22 MF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Sander Soo
23 DF Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Milan Delevic
25 DF Flag of Senegal.svg  SEN Mouhamed Gueye
26 FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Rafael Luts
27 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Nikita Baranov
28 MF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Oskar Hõim
29 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Joseph Saliste
30 FW Flag of The Gambia.svg  GAM Abdourahman Badamosi
32 MF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Kert Kiik
43 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA William Gabriel(on loan from Botafogo-SP U20 )
70 GK Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Rando Isakar
77 MF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Daniel Luts
99 GK Flag of The Gambia.svg  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.NationPlayer
— GK Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Mattias Sapp(at Viimsi JK until 31 December 2025)
15 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Hindrek Ojamaa (at Tallinna Kalev until 31 December 2025)
4 DF Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Robin Kane(at Viimsi JK until 31 December 2025)
No.Pos.NationPlayer
44 DF Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  BIH Dražen Dubackic(at Tallinna Kalev until 31 December 2025)
— FW Flag of Estonia.svg  EST Sten Jakob Viidas (at Narva Trans until 31 December 2025)

For season transfers, see transfers summer 2024.

Reserves and academy

Club officials

Honours

Seasons and statistics

Seasons

SeasonDivisionPosPldWDLGFGAGDPtsTop goalscorer Cup Supercup
2004 IV liiga 6187474155−1425 Flag of Estonia.svg Ergo Eelmäe (14)
2005 32215076025+3545 Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Rikberg (18)
2006 III liiga 122154310032+6849 Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Rikberg (48)
2007 II liiga 126201510835+7361 Flag of Estonia.svg Rauno Rikberg (34) First round
2008 Esiliiga 4361412105844+1454 Flag of Estonia.svg Karel Voolaid (9) Second round
2009 Meistriliiga 93664262197−7622 Flag of Estonia.svg Meelis Rooba (5) Third round
2010 83667233079−4925 Flag of Estonia.svg Mihail Ištšuk (6) Second round
2011 636136174051−1145 Flag of Estonia.svg Tiit Tikenberg (10) Second round
2012 636119163452−1842 Flag of Estonia.svg Stanislav Goldberg (7) Semi-finals
2013 536152194358−1547 Flag of Estonia.svg Andre Mägi
Flag of Estonia.svg Lauri Varendi (7)		 Third round
2014 63698193967−2835 Flag of Estonia.svg Rasmus Tomson (8) Fourth round
2015 73696215073−2333 Flag of Estonia.svg Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (17) Runners-up
2016 636146165861−348 Flag of Estonia.svg Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (19) Third round
2017 636108184788−4138 Flag of Estonia.svg Magnar Vainumäe (8) Semi-finals
2018 536149136474−1051 Flag of Nigeria.svg Samson Iyede (12) Third round
2019 43623587830+4874 Flag of The Gambia.svg Alassana Jatta (13) Quarter-finals
2020 23021188043+3764 Flag of Uganda.svg Edrisa Lubega (14) Fourth round
2021 33218866635+3162 Flag of Estonia.svg Henri Anier (26) Fourth round Runners-up
2022 33619898437+4765 Flag of Estonia.svg Robi Saarma (16) Winners
2023 436131495034+1653 Flag of Estonia.svg Siim Luts (6) Quarter-finals Winners
2024 336233107439+3572 Flag of Estonia.svg Robi Saarma (15) Runners-up

Europe

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAway Agg.
2020–21 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Flag of Lithuania.svg Žalgiris — 0–2 —
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Flag of Poland.svg Śląsk Wrocław 1–2 0–2 1–4
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Flag of Georgia.svg Dinamo Tbilisi 1–2 ( a.e.t. ) 3–2 4–4 (6–5 p)
Second qualifying round Flag of Armenia.svg Ararat-Armenia 0−0 ( a.e.t. ) 0–0 0–0 (5–3 p)
Third qualifying round Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Anderlecht 0–2 0–3 0–5
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg B36 Tórshavn 0–2 ( a.e.t. ) 0–0 0–2
2024–25 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Bala Town 1−1 ( a.e.t. ) 2–1 3–2
Second qualifying round Flag of Iceland.svg Stjarnan 4–0 1–2 5–2
Third qualifying round Flag of Sweden.svg BK Häcken 1−1 1−6 2–7
2025–26 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round Flag of Gibraltar.svg FCB Magpies 4–1 3–2 7–3
Second qualifying round Flag of Sweden.svg AIK 0–2 0–6 0–8

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. 1 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. ↑ "Ajalooline üleminek: Paide Linnameeskonna ründaja siirdus Saksamaa kõrgliigasse" [Historic transfer: Paide Linnameeskond striker moves to the German top flight]. Postimees. 3 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "Paide kunstmuruväljak sai uued tribüünid". Tre Raadio - Kesk-Eesti (in Estonian). 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "Video: Paides avati kauaoodatud jalgpalli sisehall" [Video: The long-awaited indoor football hall was opened in Paide]. tv3.ee. 15 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "Paide Linnameeskond Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "Tere tulemast, Capelli Sport!". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Meeskond" [Team] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "Paide Linnameeskond". Estonian Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

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