Sander Puri

Sander Puri (born 7 May 1988) is an Estonian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Meistriliiga club Nõmme Kalju and Estonia.

Sander Puri

Puri playing for York City in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Sander Puri[1]
Date of birth	7 May 1988[1]
Place of birth	Tartu, Estonia
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s)	Winger
Club information
Current team	Nõmme Kalju
Number	27
Youth career
0000–2004	SK10 Premium
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004	SK10 Premium	18	(12)
2005–2009	Levadia	73	(24)
2005–2009	→ Levadia II (reserves)	66	(27)
2007	→ Tulevik (loan)	14	(4)
2010–2012	Larissa	21	(1)
2011	→ Korona Kielce (loan)	8	(1)
2011–2012	→ Pápa (loan)	12	(0)
2012	KuPS	19	(2)
2013	St Mirren	3	(0)
2013–2014	York City	8	(0)
2015	Sligo Rovers	27	(4)
2016	Karviná	9	(2)
2016	Nõmme Kalju	13	(2)
2017–2018	Waterford	35	(5)
2019–	Nõmme Kalju	6	(0)
National team^‡
	Estonia U17
	Estonia U19
	Estonia U21
2008–	Estonia	78	(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:30, 22 May 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 February 2020

Club career

Levadia

Puri was born in Tartu, Tartu County.[1] In 2005, at the age of 16, Puri started his professional career with Levadia.[3] He scored his first Meistriliiga goal on 1 June 2005, in a 2–0 victory over Kuressaare.[4] On 30 July 2007, Sander and his twin brother Eino Puri joined Tulevik a half-year loan.[5] He played 14 league matches, scoring 4 goals.[6] In 2008, Puri had two trials with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund[7] and in late 2009 with Scottish Premier League club Celtic.[8]

Larissa

On 14 December 2009, Puri signed a five-year contract with Superleague Greece club Larissa.[9] On 18 March 2010, Puri scored the winning goal against PAOK, in the final moment of the match with a tap in from close range.[10] However, in his second season, Puri's place in the team became increasingly limited which resulted him being loaned out twice.[11] His contract was mutually terminated on 31 January 2012.[12]

Loan spells with Korona Kielce and Pápa

In January 2011, Puri went on loan to Ekstraklasa club Korona Kielce, on a contract until the end of the season.[13] He made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Zagłębie Lubin on 26 February 2011.[14] Puri scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 home draw against Polonia Bytom on 12 March 2011.[2] However, due to injuries he only made eight appearances for the club.[15][16]

In July 2011, Puri was loaned to Nemzeti Bajnokság I club Pápa.[17] On 23 July 2011, Puri made his debut in a 2–0 home win over Siófok.[2] On 21 September 2011, Puri scored his first goal in a 10–0 win against Győrszemere in the third round of the 2011–12 Magyar Kupa.[2][18] The loan contract was mutually terminated on 19 January 2012 after spending six months at the club.[2][19] At Pápa, Puri made 14 appearances, scoring 1 goal.[2][18]

KuPS

Puri joined Veikkausliiga club KuPS on 27 March 2012 on a contract until the end of the season,[20] after a successful trial.[21] He made his debut after starting in a 1–0 away win over VPS in the 2012 Finnish League Cup group stage on 25 February.[2] His first goal came in a 5–1 away win over JJK on 11 June 2012.[2] Puri scored for KuPS in the UEFA Europa League qualifying 1–0 home win against Bursaspor.[22] He scored the winning goal against MYPA in the semi-final of the 2012 Finnish Cup on 30 August,[23] but received a straight red card in the final, which the team lost to Honka.[24]

On 12 December 2012, Puri was released by the club after one season.[25] After his release, Puri was offered a contract with A Group club Beroe Stara Zagora,[26] but he rejected the move.[27]

St Mirren

On 15 March 2013, Puri signed a contract until the end of 2012–13 with Scottish Premier League club St Mirren,[28] despite the interest of divisional rivals Kilmarnock, but was not offered a contract following a trial.[29][30] He made his debut on 31 March 2013 as an 88th-minute substitute in a league match against Celtic.[2] Having made three appearances for the club,[2] Puri was released on 15 May 2013.[31]

York City

Puri playing for York City in 2013

Puri signed for League Two club York City on 13 June 2013 on a one-year contract with the option of a one-year extension.[32][33] He made his debut in a 1–0 home win over Northampton Town on 3 August 2013, in the first match of 2013–14.[34] He was released by York in May 2014.[33]

Sligo Rovers

Puri signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers after a successful trial on 1 February 2015.[35][36] On 22 May 2015, he scored his first goal in a 1–1 away draw with Derry City,[2] after rounding the ball past goalkeeper Shaun Patton.[37]

Karviná

Puri signed for Czech National Football League club Karviná on 18 February 2016.[38]

Nõmme Kalju

In August 2016, Puri returned to Estonia and signed a contract with Nõmme Kalju.[39]

Waterford

In January 2017, Puri signed for League of Ireland First Division club Waterford.[40] He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Athlone Town on 24 February 2017.[41] A lengthy injury absence prevented Puri being involved with Waterford from March to July 2017. Despite returning to training in July it was only on 18 August Puri made a return for Waterford as he appeared as an unused substitute in the teams crucial 1–0 win over UCD.[42] The Estonian international finally made his long-awaited return for Waterford in the 1–1 draw against Shelbourne on 1 September and he nearly scored a late winner on two occasions, his first effort struk the post and then he was only inches away from tapping home from close range but his outstretched leg couldn't convert.[43] His impressive cameo earned him a start for the game against Wexford on 15 September, he assisted Mark O'Sullivan for his second goal in that game, Waterford beat Wexford 3–0.[44] That win coupled with Cobh Ramblers 3–0 defeat to Cabinteely crowned Waterford as league champions with two games to spare.[45]

Puri signed a new one-year contract with Waterford for the 2018 season as the club entered the League of Ireland Premier Division.[46] Puri scored his first goal for Waterford in their 1–0 win over Bohemians.[47]

Nõmme Kalju

In February 2019 Puri returned to Nõmme Kalju, signing a two-year contract.[48]

International career

Puri was capped by Estonia at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.[49] He made his debut for the senior national team on 30 May 2008 against Latvia in the 2008 Baltic Cup.[50] He scored his first national team goal on 22 November 2008, in a 1–1 draw against Lithuania in a Mayors Cup match.[51] A goal against Saint Kitts and Nevis saw him awarded the Estonian Silverball, for the best goal scored for Estonia in 2015.[52]

Personal life

Puri is one of three triplets: his brother, Eino Puri, is also a footballer and his sister, Kadri Puri, is a volleyball player.[53]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 16 April 2017

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
SK10 Premium	2004[54]	IV liiga	18	12			—		—				18	12
Levadia II	2005[6]	Esiliiga	22	6			—		—				22	6
	2006[6]	Esiliiga	29	17			—		—				29	17
	2007[6]	Esiliiga	14	4			—		—				14	4
	2009[6]	Esiliiga	1	0			—		—				1	0
	Total		66	27			—		—				66	27
Levadia	2005[2][6][55]	Meistriliiga	13	2			—		0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	14	2
	2006[6][56]	Meistriliiga	6	1			—		3[lower-alpha 2]	0	—		9	1
	2007[2][6]	Meistriliiga	1	0			—		0	0	0	0	1	0
	2008[2][6][57]	Meistriliiga	34	11			—		2[lower-alpha 3]	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	1	37	12
	2009[2][6][58]	Meistriliiga	19	10	1	0	—		5[lower-alpha 4]	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	26	10
	Total		73	24	1	0	—		10	0	3	1	87	25
Tulevik (loan)	2007[6]	Meistriliiga	14	4			—		—		—		14	4
Larissa	2009–10[2]	Superleague Greece	11	1	—		—		—		—		11	1
	2010–11[2]	Superleague Greece	10	0	2	0	—		—		—		12	0
	Total		21	1	2	0	—		—		—		23	1
Korona Kielce (loan)	2010–11[2]	Ekstraklasa	8	1	—		—		—		—		8	1
Pápa (loan)	2011–12[2][18]	Nemzeti Bajnokság I	12	0	2	1	—		—		—		14	1
KuPS	2012[2]	Veikkausliiga	19	2	3	1	1	0	5[lower-alpha 5]	1	—		28	4
St Mirren	2012–13[2]	Scottish Premier League	3	0	—		0	0	—		—		3	0
York City	2013–14[34]	League Two	8	0	2	0	1	0	—		0	0	11	0
Sligo Rovers	2015[2][59]	League of Ireland Premier Division	27	4	2	0	1	1	—		—		30	5
Karviná	2015–16[2]	Czech National Football League	9	2	—		—		—		—		9	2
Nõmme Kalju	2016[2]	Meistriliiga	13	2	1	0	—		—		—		14	2
Waterford	2017[2]	League of Ireland First Division	7	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0	7	0
	2018[2]	League of Ireland Premier Division	9	1	0	0	1	1	—		0	0	10	2
	Total		16	1	0	0	1	1	—		0	0	17	2
Career total			307	80	13	2	4	2	15	1	3	1	342	86

1. Appearance in Estonian Supercup
2. Appearances in UEFA Cup
3. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
4. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, one in UEFA Europa League
5. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 8 June 2016[54][60]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Estonia	2008	9	1
	2009	8	1
	2010	10	0
	2011	11	0
	2012	9	0
	2013	7	1
	2014	3	0
	2015	6	1
	2016	6	0
2018	5	0
2019	4	0
Total		78	4

International goals

Updated to match played 8 June 2016. Estonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Puri goal.[2]

International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	22 November 2008	Kuressaare Stadium, Kuressaare, Estonia	Lithuania	1–0	1–1	Friendly
2	1 April 2009	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	Armenia	1–0	1–0	2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	11 June 2013	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	Kyrgyzstan	1–0	1–1	Friendly
4	17 November 2015	A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia	Saint Kitts and Nevis	3–0	3–0	Friendly

Honours

Levadia

• Meistriliiga: 2006, 2008 2009[2]

Waterford

• League of Ireland First Division: 2017

Individual

• Estonian Silverball: 2015[61]

References

1. "Sander Puri". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
2. "S. Puri". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
3. "Tallinna FC Levadia – JK Merkuur Tartu 4:0 (0:0)" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
4. "Tallinna FC Levadia – FC Kuressaare 2:0 (1:0)" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
5. "Vennad Purid laenulepinguga Viljandi Tulevikku" [Brothers Puri move to Viljandi Tulevik with loan agreement] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
6. "Mängija statistika" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 23 April 2014. Individual seasons accessed via dropdown menu.
7. Vaher, Andres (19 December 2008). "Dortmundi Borussia ütles Sander Purile jälle "ei"" [Borussia Dortmund said "no" to Sander Puri again]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
8. "Bhoys look at Estonian". Sky Sports. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
9. "Sander Puri sõlmis Kreeka klubiga Larissa viieaastase lepingu" [Sander Puri signed a five-year contract with Greek club Larissa] (in Estonian). Delfi. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
10. "Sander Puri lõi Kreekas viimasel minutil võiduvärava!" [Sander Puri scored the winning goal in Greece in the last minute!]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 28 March 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
11. "Poola siirduv Sander Puri: "Tahtsin Kreekast ära saada."" [Sander Puri, who moves to Poland: "I wanted to get away from Greece."]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
12. Kalvet, Madis (3 February 2012). "Sander Puri tühistas Kreeka klubiga lepingu" [Sander Puri withdrew the contract with Greek club]. Postimees (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
13. "Ametlik: Puri karjäär jätkub Poolas" [Official: Puri's career will continue in Poland]. Soccernet.ee. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
14. Järvela, Ott (27 February 2011). "Sander Puri debüüt Poola liigas lõppes viigiga" [Sander Puri's Polish league debut ended in a draw]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
15. "Sander Puri vigastuspaus sai läbi" [Sander Puri injury break ended]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
16. Järvela, Ott (14 March 2011). "Puri skooris, aga vigastas jalga" [Puri scored, but injured a leg]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
17. "Sander Puri w Lombardzie Pápa" [Sander Puri at Lombardzie Pápa] (in Polish). 90minut.pl. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
18. "Magyar Kupa: Gázolt a Lombard Pápa" [Magyar Kupa: Wallow in Lombard Pápa]. papa-ma.hu (in Hungarian). 21 September 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
19. Remmelkoor, Kristjan (20 January 2012). "Sander Puri lahkus Papa Lombardist" [Sander Puri left Lombard Pápa] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
20. "Ametlik: Puri liitus KuPS-iga" [Official: Puri joined KuPS]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
21. "Sander Puri testimisel Soome kõrgliigaklubis KuPS" [Finnish Premier League club KuPS is testing Sander Puri]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
22. "Sander Puri värav tõi KuPS-ile Euroopa Liigas võidu" [Sander Puri's goal brought KuPS a European League victory]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
23. "Sander Puri värav viis Kuopio Soome karikafinaali" [Sander Puri's goal takes Kuopio to the Finnish Cup finals]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
24. "Sander Puri teenis Soome karikafinaalis punase kaardi, KuPS kaotas" [Sander Puri received a red card in the Finnish Cup final, KuPS lost]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
25. "Nõmme Kalju andis teada, kes on lahkujad, kes võimalikud liitujad" [Nõmme Kalju announced new transfers]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
26. Parts, Kadi (26 January 2013). "Sander Puri sai pakkumise Bulgaaria kõrgliigaklubilt" [Sander Puri received an offer from Premier League club in Bulgaria]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
27. Parts, Kadi (4 February 2013). "Bulgaaria klubi pakkumisest keeldunud Sander Puri võib liituda Nõmme Kaljuga" [Sander Puri refused the offer from Bulgaria, possibly to join Nõmme Kalju]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
28. "Saints sign Sander". St Mirren F.C. 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
29. "St Mirren consider signing Estonian winger Sander Puri". STV Sport. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
30. Parts, Kadi (3 March 2013). "Kas Sander Puri läheb Šotimaale?" [Sander Puri goes to Scotland?]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Tallinn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
31. "Graham Carey and Sam Parkin to exit St Mirren". BBC Sport. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
32. "Sander signs up". York City F.C. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013.
33. Flett, Dave (20 May 2014). "Coulson and Oyebanjo offered deals but Puri, Reed, Andrew and Allan released". The Press. York. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
34. "Games played by Sander Puri in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
35. Murphy, Ronan (1 February 2015). "Sligo Rovers sign Estonia international Sander Puri". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
36. McGoldrick, Mark (31 January 2015). "Friendly report: Sligo Rovers 3–1 Shelbourne". Extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
37. "League of Ireland: Derry City 1–1 Sligo Rovers". BBC Sport. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
38. "Karviná získala posilu v boji o ligu. Dorazí estonský reprezentant Puri" [Karvina received reinforcements in the battle for the league. Estonian national team player Puri will arrive]. Deník (in Czech). Prague. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
39. Liblik, Tiit (5 August 2016). "Sander Puri liitus Kaljuga" [Sander Puri joined Kalju] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
40. McCadden, Mark (20 January 2017). "Waterford have seen off top-flight interest to sign international winger". Buzz.ie. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
41. "Athlone Town 1 (Coss 88') Waterford FC 0 – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie.
42. "MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 1–0 UCD – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie. 18 August 2017.
43. "MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 1–1 Shelbourne – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie. 4 September 2017.
44. "MATCH REPORT: Wexford FC 0–3 Waterford FC – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie. 15 September 2017.
45. "Waterford FC Crowned First Division Champions – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie. 16 September 2017.
46. "International Puri Returns to the RSC for 2018 – Waterford FC". waterfordfc.ie. 6 November 2017.
47. "League Report: Waterford 1 – 0 Bohemians – ExtraTime.ie". extratime.ie.
48. "Sander Puri naasis Premium liigasse". Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
49. "Sander Puri". UEFA. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
50. Pulst, Siim (30 May 2008). "Koondis andis Lätile turmtuld, kuid kaotas" [National team fught Latvia hard, but lost] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
51. Pulst, Siim (22 November 2008). "Viik Leeduga tõi Eestile turniirivõidu" [A draw with Lithuania, brought Estonia the tournament victory] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
52. "Eesti jalgpallikoondise aasta kauneimaks väravaks valiti Sander Puri tabamus Saint Kitts ja Nevise vastu" [The most beautiful goal of the year for Estonia national football team is Sander Puri's goal against Saint Kitts and Nevis] (in Estonian). Delfi. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
53. "Online intervjuu Sander, Eino ja Kadri Puri (11. september)" [Online interview with Sander, Eino and Kadri Puri (11 September)] (in Estonian). Eesti Rahvusringhääling. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013.
54. "Puri, Sander". National Football Teams. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
55. "FC TVMK võitis Superkarika" [TVMK won the Super Cup] (in Estonian). Delfi. 21 November 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
56. "Levadia 1–0 Twente". UEFA. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
    "Levadia 0–1 Newcastle". UEFA. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
    "Newcastle 2–1 Levadia". UEFA. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
57. "Jalgpalli Superkarika võitis Narva Trans" [Football Super Cup won by Narva Trans] (in Estonian). Delfi. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
58. "Levadia 1–1 Galatasaray". UEFA. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
59. "Sligo safety through to third round". League of Ireland. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
    Walsh, Stephen (23 August 2015). "FAI Cup report: Cobh Wanderers 0–4 Sligo Rovers". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
60. "FIFA annuls result of Bulgaria-Estonia rigged friendly". Sofia News Agency. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
61. "Hõbepalli võitis Sander Puri" [Sander Puri wins Silverball] (in Estonian). Soccernet.ee. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2017.

External links

• Sander Puri at the Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
• Sander Puri national team profile at the Estonian Football Association (in Estonian)
• Sander Puri at 90minut.pl (in Polish)
• Sander Puri at Soccerbase