Raio Piiroja

Raio Piiroja (born 11 July 1979 ) is a former professional footballer and current president of Pärnu Linnameeskond. Piiroja was named Estonian Footballer of the Year in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Internationally, Piiroja represented Estonia and was the team's captain. He made 114 appearances for the team, scoring 9 goals. He was known for his impressing ability in the air for winning headers.

Flora

Piiroja started his career in his hometown Pärnu before moving to the Tallinn side Flora, under then manager Teitur Thordarson. With Flora, Piiroja won two consecutive Meistriliiga titles in the 2001 and the 2002 seasons.

In 2003, he joined Norwegian side Vålerenga on loan.

Fredrikstad

In 2004, Piiroja signed a contract with Norwegian side Fredrikstad. In 2006, he scored two goals in the Norwegian Football Cup final against Sandefjord in a 3–0 victory. In 2010, Piiroja scored 2 goals in the Norwegian Premier League promotion play-offs against Hønefoss.

Piiroja made his international debut for the Estonia national football team on 21 November 1998, at the age of 19, in a 1–2 defeat against Armenia, replacing Viktor Alonen at the 85th minute of the match. Piiroja became the national team captain after Mart Poom. He made his 100th appearance in a 2–0 friendly win over Uruguay and finished his international career in 2015, with 114 appearances and 9 goals scored.

International goals

Estonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Piiroja goal.

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	4 September 1999	Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands	4	Faroe Islands	2–0	2–0	UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying
2	11 June 2000	Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia	9	Georgia	1–0	1–0	Friendly
3	28 March 2001	Tsirion Athletic Centre, Limassol, Cyprus	14	Cyprus	2–2	2–2	2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4	16 February 2004	Ta' Qali National Stadium, La Valletta, Malta	43	Malta	2–2	2–5	2004 Malta Tournament
5	22 August 2007	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	68	Andorra	1–0	2–1	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
6	12 September 2007	Gradski Stadion Skopje, Skopje, Macedonia	70	Macedonia	1–0	1–1	UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying
7	14 October 2009	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	91	Belgium	1–0	2–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8	11 August 2010	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	97	Faroe Islands	2–1	2–1	UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying

Piiroja married his long-time girlfriend Marje in 2005. In 2011, Norwegian police launched an investigation into his former club Fredrikstad and Piiroja was charged with tax evasion. Outside of football, Piiroja enjoys fishing and skiing.

Club

Flora

• Meistriliiga: 2001, 2002
• Estonian Supercup: 2002

Fredrikstad

• Norwegian Cup: 2006

Individual

• Estonian Footballer of the Year: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• 5th Class Order of the White Star