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| Full name | Paide Linnameeskond | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | |||
| Ground | Paide linnastaadion | |||
| Capacity | 500[1] | |||
| President | Veiko Veskimäe | |||
| Manager | Vladimir Vassiljev | |||
| League | Meistriliiga | |||
| 2025 | Meistriliiga, 4th of 10 | |||
| Website | http://www.paidelinnameeskond.ee | |||
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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.[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]
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]
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2015 | Nike | Verston | [9][10] |
| 2016–2017 | Enemat | ||
| 2018–2021 | Verston | ||
| 2021–2023 | Exmet, Verston | ||
| 2024– | Capelli Sport | Verston |
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 is aimed to have 4,500 seats.[11][12] In winter and early spring months, Paide Linnameeskond plays their home matches at the 542-seat Paide kunstmuruväljak artificial turf ground.[13] Paide's football complex also includes an indoor football facility named Paide Jalgpallihall, which was opened in December 2024 and cost €3.5 million.[14]
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.
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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.
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For season transfers, see transfers summer 2024.
Reserves and academy
Club officials
Current technical staff
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Managerial history
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Honours
- Estonian Cup
- 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) |
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| 2005 | 3 | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 60 | 25 | +35 | 45 | Rauno Rikberg (18)
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| 2006 | III liiga | 1 | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 100 | 32 | +68 | 49 | Rauno Rikberg (48)
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| 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 | ||
| 2025 | 4 | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 63 | 32 | +31 | 70 | Robi Saarma (8) |
Quarter-finals |
Europe
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | UEFA Europa League | First qualifying round |  Žalgiris
|
N/a | 0–2 | N/a |
| 2021–22 | UEFA Europa Conference League | First qualifying round |  Śląsk Wrocław
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1–2 | 0–2 | 1–4 |
| 2022–23 | UEFA Europa Conference League | First qualifying round |  Dinamo Tbilisi
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1–2 (a.e.t.) | 3–2 | 4–4 (6–5 p) |
| Second qualifying round |  Ararat-Armenia
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0−0 (a.e.t.) | 0–0 | 0–0 (5–3 p) | ||
| Third qualifying round |  Anderlecht
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0–2 | 0–3 | 0–5 | ||
| 2023–24 | UEFA Europa Conference League | First qualifying round |  B36 Tórshavn
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0–2 (a.e.t.) | 0–0 | 0–2 |
| 2024–25 | UEFA Conference League | First qualifying round |  Bala Town
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1−1 (a.e.t.) | 2–1 | 3–2 |
| Second qualifying round |  Stjarnan
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4–0 | 1–2 | 5–2 | ||
| Third qualifying round |  BK Häcken
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1−1 | 1−6 | 2–7 | ||
| 2025–26 | UEFA Conference League | First qualifying round |  FCB Magpies
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4–1 | 3–2 | 7–3 |
| Second qualifying round | AIK
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0–2 | 0–6 | 0–8 | ||
| 2026–27 | UEFA Conference League | First qualifying round |
References
- ^ "Paide linna staadion" (in Estonian). Eesti Spordiregister. 25 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Paide Linnameeskonna ajalugu" [History of Paide Linnameeskond] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Paide linnameeskond tagas hõbemedalid ja koha eurosarjas". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Gallery: Ragnar Klavan makes return to Estonian football, joins Paide". ERR. 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024.
- ^ "Paide linnameeskond kirjutas end suurte tähtedega karikale". Järva Teataja (in Estonian). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Ajalooline üleminek: Paide Linnameeskonna ründaja siirdus Saksamaa kõrgliigasse" [Historic transfer: Paide Linnameeskond striker moves to the German top flight]. Postimees. 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Paide Linnameeskond Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Tere tulemast, Capelli Sport!". Paide Linnameeskond (in Estonian). 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Paide kunstmuruväljak sai uued tribüünid". Tre Raadio - Kesk-Eesti (in Estonian). 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Uus jalgpallihall toob Paide Linnameeskonna Paidesse treenima" [New football hall brings Paide Linnameeskond's trainings to Paide]. ERR. 15 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Meeskond" [Team] (in Estonian). Paide Linnameeskond. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "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
