Clubs announce star signings as football season kicks off
A number of Estonian football clubs have announced big-name captures in the last few days, with many Estonian national team players failing to find foreign suitors and returning home. The league season begins today, March 6.
Perhaps the two biggest signings were Joel Lindpere (98 caps for the national team) signing for Nõmme Kalju and Enar Jääger (111 caps) for FC Flora.
“Nine years ago I went abroad. I have now thought about it and decided to return to Estonia for two reasons: first that I can play at least one season in Estonia before finishing my career, and the second reason is family, as my son is training with Nõmme Kalju,” Lindpere said.
Lindpere, 33, played in Bulgaria, where he won a league title, then in Norway and later joined the New York Red Bulls, among other clubs.
Jääger, 30, last played for Flora in 2004, and searched for a club for the past nine months, before deciding to return to Estonia.
Others who have now returned include Jarmo Ahjupera, 30, joining Viljandi Tulevik and Hindrek Ojamaa, 19, brother of Henrik, who joined Levadia. Raio Piiroja, the main defensive pin in the national team for the last decade, has signed for Pärnu Linnameeskond, although it is not sure if he will feature regularly.
Editor: J.M. Laats