Paide Linnameeskond

History

Paide Linnameeskond was established in 2004 as a satellite club of Flora. The team began in the IV liiga Western division and achieved four consecutive promotions from 2005 to 2008, reaching the Meistriliiga. In their debut top-flight season, Paide finished ninth and avoided relegation by defeating Warrior 2–1 on aggregate in the play-offs. Meelis Rooba, a former player, became manager in July 2010, and entrepreneur Veiko Veskimäe took over as club president in 2013.

Paide reached the 2014–15 Estonian Cup final but lost 0–2 to Nõmme Kalju. Rooba resigned after 2016 and was succeeded by another ex-player, Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko. Under Zahovaiko, the club turned professional and became a consistent top-tier side, finishing fifth in 2018 and fourth in 2019, which earned their first European qualification. Paide debuted in Europe on 27 August 2020, losing 0–2 to Žalgiris in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.

The club secured its first league medals with a second-place finish in 2020. Zahovaiko left after a third-place finish in 2021, replaced by former player and national team coach Karel Voolaid. In June 2021, Paide announced a formal affiliation with Gambian club Real de Banjul, through which several Gambian players, including Alassana Jatta, Muhammed Sanneh, and Abdoulie Ceesay, used Paide as a stepping stone. In July 2021, Paide signed ex-Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan from Cagliari Calcio.

On 21 May 2022, Paide won their first trophy, defeating Nõmme Kalju 1–0 in the Estonian Cup final with a 109th-minute goal by Siim Luts. The 2022–23 season saw Paide win their first European ties, beating FC Dinamo Tbilisi and FC Ararat-Armenia in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds, both on penalties. European home matches were played at Pärnu Rannastaadion and later at Lilleküla Stadium.

Stadium

Paide Linnameeskond initially played at the 500-seat Paide linnastaadion from 2004 to 2025. In 2026, the club moved home matches to the adjacent 542-seat artificial turf ground Paide kunstmuruväljak, previously used during winter and early spring.

Construction of a new 4,500-seat stadium is expected to begin in early 2027, with the first phase including a 1,200-seat stand, hostel, and sports medicine facilities costing €3.4 million; the full project is estimated at €15–20 million. An indoor football facility, Paide Jalgpallihall, opened in December 2024 at a cost of €3.5 million. For European fixtures, Paide uses Pärnu Rannastaadion, Kadriorg Stadium, or A. Le Coq Arena.