Raio Piiroja (born 11 July 1979) is an Estonian former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back for Pärnu/Kalev, Lelle, Flora, Vålerenga, Fredrikstad, Vitesse and Chengdu Blades.
Piiroja made his international debut for the Estonia national team on 21 November 1998 in a friendly against Armenia. He was team captain from 2008 to 2011, and made a total of 113 appearances for Estonia before retiring in 2013. On 31 March 2015, Piiroja made his 114th and final appearance for Estonia in his testimonial match against Iceland.
Known for his leadership and ability in the air, Piiroja was named Estonian Footballer of the Year five times, in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Club career Early career Piiroja started playing football with his hometown club Rivaal, before moving to Pärnu. He made his Meistriliiga debut on 16 July 1995, five days after his 16th birthday, against Eesti Põlevkivi in the opening match of the season. 10 days later, on 26 July 1995, Piiroja scored his first goal in the Meistriliiga in a 4–2 defeat against Narva Trans and became the youngest goalscorer in Meistriliiga history at the age of 16 years and 15 days.
Flora In 1996, Piiroja joined Lelle, a team affiliated with Flora. He played for Lelle from 1997 until 1999, when he was promoted to Flora's first team. With Flora, Piiroja won his first Meistriliiga title in the 2001 season. He won his second consecutive Meistriliiga title in the 2002 season and was named Estonian Player of the Year for the first time.
Vålerenga (loan) In 2003, Piiroja joined Norwegian Tippeligaen side Vålerenga on loan.
Fredrikstad In August 2004, Piiroja signed a contract with Tippeligaen side Fredrikstad. On 12 November 2006, he scored twice in the 2006 Norwegian Football Cup Final against Sandefjord as Fredrikstad won 3–0. In 2007, Piiroja extended his contract for four more years. During his time with Fredrikstad, Piiroja won four consecutive Estonian Player of the Year awards, in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Fredrikstad finished the 2009 season in 14th place and were relegated from the Tippeligaen after a 2–0 loss against Sarpsborg 08 in the play-offs. Fredrikstad returned to the Norwegian top division after a season, with Piiroja scoring in both legs of an 8–1 aggregate win against Hønefoss in the promotion play-offs.
Vitesse On 31 August 2011, Piiroja signed a one-year contract, with an option of extension for another season, at Eredivisie side Vitesse.
Chengdu Blades On 18 February 2013, Piiroja signed for China League One team Chengdu Blades.
International career Piiroja made his international debut for the Estonia national team on 21 November 1998, in a 2–1 loss against Armenia in a friendly, replacing Viktor Alonen in the 85th minute of the match. Piiroja soon established himself as Estonia's first choice centre-back. In 2008, he succeeded Martin Reim as team captain. On 25 March 2011, Piiroja made his 100th appearance in a 2–0 win over Uruguay in a friendly. He was sent off by referee Viktor Kassai in the 76th minute of the first leg of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying play-off against Republic of Ireland, which Estonia went on to lose 5–1 on aggregate. Piiroja ended his international career in October 2013, but made one final appearance for Estonia on 31 March 2015, in his testimonial match against Iceland. He made a total of 114 appearances and scored 8 goals.
Personal life Piiroja married his long-time girlfriend Marje in 2005. They divorced in 2015. Outside of football, Piiroja enjoys skiing and is an avid fisherman.
On 1 June 2016, Piiroja released his autobiography, Ninamees Raio Piiroja, õhuvõitleja, written by sports journalist Gunnar Press.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPärnu/Kalev1995–96Meistriliiga81 ——81Lelle1996–97Esiliiga —— Lelle1997–98Meistriliiga90 ——90199861 ——61199972 ——72Total223 ——223Flora1999Meistriliiga112 20101422000261 20—2812001242 10—2522002269 20002522004153 2030252Total10217 904011517Tervis Pärnu2000Esiliiga10 ——10 Valga2001Esiliiga10 ——10 Vålerenga (loan)2003Tippeligaen111303021192Fredrikstad2004Tippeligaen90 ——902005121 ——121200625023——2742007223 20—2432008232 ——2322009252 21102832010Adeccoligaen284 —323162011Tippeligaen150 ——160Total15912243414219115Vitesse2011–12Eredivisie2000—0020 Chengdu Blades2013China League One181 ——181 Career total3243527316110337742
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsEstonia199810199951200061200113120029020038020041212005602006502007922008802009101201071201190201210201340201510Total1148
Scores and results list Estonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Piiroja goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Raio PiirojaNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition14 September 1999Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands42–02–0UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying2 11 June 2000Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia91–01–0Friendly328 March 2001Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus142–22–22002 FIFA World Cup qualification416 February 2004Ta' Qali National Stadium, La Valletta, Malta442–22–52014 Malta International Tournament522 August 2007A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia681–02–1UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying612 September 2007Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, Macedonia701–01–1UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying714 October 2009A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia911–02–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification811 August 2010A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia972–12–1UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
Honours Flora Meistriliiga: 2001, 2002 Estonian Supercup: 2002
Fredrikstad Norwegian Cup: 2006
Individual Estonian Footballer of the Year: 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Order of the White Star, 5th Class
See also List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
References
External links