# Paide Linnameeskond

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

| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
| 2011–2015 | Nike | Verston |
| 2016–2017 | Nike | Enemat |
| 2018–2021 | Nike | Verston |
| 2021–2023 | Nike | Exmet, Verston |
| 2024– | Capelli Sport | Verston |

## Players
### Current squad

    As of 3 January 2025
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 |
| 2 | DF | EST | Michael Lilander |
| 4 | DF | EST | Robin Kane |
| 5 | DF | EST | Gerdo Juhkam |
| 8 | FW | EST | Henrik Ojamaa |
| 11 | FW | SEN | Mechini Gomis |
| 12 | GK | EST | Marko Meerits |
| 14 | FW | EST | Robi Saarma |
| 15 | DF | EST | Hindrek Ojamaa |
| 19 | FW | EST | Siim Luts |
| 23 | DF | SRB | Milan Delevic |
| 25 | DF | SEN | Mouhamed Gueye |
| 27 | DF | EST | Nikita Baranov |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 28 | MF | EST | Oskar Hõim |
| 29 | DF | EST | Joseph Saliste |
| 34 | FW | GAM | Muhammed Suso |
| 41 | MF | EST | Daniel Luts |
| 70 | GK | EST | Rando Isakar |
| 99 | GK | GAM | Ebrima Jarju |
| - | MF | EST | Martin Miller |
| - | FW | EST | Sten Reinkort |
| - | FW | GAM | Abdourahman Badamosi |
| - | FW | GAM | Pa Assan Corr |
| - | DF | BIH | Dražen Dubackic |

#### 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 |
| — | FW | EST | Sten Jakob Viidas (at Narva Trans until 31 December 2025) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
For season transfers, see transfers summer 2024.

### Reserves and academy
## 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 | IV liiga | 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 | Meistriliiga | 8 | 36 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 30 | 79 | −49 | 25 | Mihail Ištšuk (6) | Second round | |
| 2011 | Meistriliiga | 6 | 36 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 40 | 51 | −11 | 45 | Tiit Tikenberg (10) | Second round | |
| 2012 | Meistriliiga | 6 | 36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 52 | −18 | 42 | Stanislav Goldberg (7) | Semi-finals | |
| 2013 | Meistriliiga | 5 | 36 | 15 | 2 | 19 | 43 | 58 | −15 | 47 | Andre Mägi Lauri Varendi (7) | Third round | |
| 2014 | Meistriliiga | 6 | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 39 | 67 | −28 | 35 | Rasmus Tomson (8) | Fourth round | |
| 2015 | Meistriliiga | 7 | 36 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 50 | 73 | −23 | 33 | Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (17) | Runners-up | |
| 2016 | Meistriliiga | 6 | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 58 | 61 | −3 | 48 | Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko (19) | Third round | |
| 2017 | Meistriliiga | 6 | 36 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 47 | 88 | −41 | 38 | Magnar Vainumäe (8) | Semi-finals | |
| 2018 | Meistriliiga | 5 | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 64 | 74 | −10 | 51 | Samson Iyede (12) | Third round | |
| 2019 | Meistriliiga | 4 | 36 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 78 | 30 | +48 | 74 | Alassana Jatta (13) | Quarter-finals | |
| 2020 | Meistriliiga | 2 | 30 | 21 | 1 | 8 | 80 | 43 | +37 | 64 | Edrisa Lubega (14) | Fourth round | |
| 2021 | Meistriliiga | 3 | 32 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 66 | 35 | +31 | 62 | Henri Anier (26) | Fourth round | Runners-up |
| 2022 | Meistriliiga | 3 | 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 84 | 37 | +47 | 65 | Robi Saarma (16) | Winners | |
| 2023 | Meistriliiga | 4 | 36 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 50 | 34 | +16 | 53 | Siim Luts (6) | Quarter-finals | Winners |
| 2024 | Meistriliiga | 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) |
| 2022–23 | UEFA Europa Conference League | Second qualifying round | Ararat-Armenia | 0−0 (a.e.t.) | 0–0 | 0–0 (5–3 p) |
| 2022–23 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 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 |
| 2024–25 | UEFA Conference League | Second qualifying round | Stjarnan | 4–0 | 1–2 | 5–2 |
| 2024–25 | UEFA Conference League | Third qualifying round | BK Häcken | 1−1 | 1−6 | 2–7 |
| 2025–26 | UEFA Conference League | First qualifying round | | | | |