The transfer window has seen one of Estonia's favourite sons return home as defender Marek Lemsalu joined Estonian Cup holders FC Levadia Tallinn.
Rover returns
The 33-year-old former national team captain has signed a two-year contract with Levadia following a five-year spell in Norway and is expected to replace skipper Sergei Hohlov-Simson - who retired at the end of last season - in central defence.
Norwegian success
Lemsalu, who previously played for FC Flora, 1. FSV Mainz 05, Stømsgodset IF and JK Tulevik Viljandi, left Estonia in 2001 for Norwegian side IK Start, moving on to Bryne FK for the following four seasons.
Oper honoured
Another Estonian hero has been making an impact as international striker Andres Oper claimed the Silverball award for scorer of the best goal of 2005. Estonian football writers gave the Roda JC player the prize for the second time for his strike against Slovakia on 26 March last year. In all, Oper scored five times for his country in 2005 - with no other player registering more than once.
Dutch form
Having played for Flora, Aalborg BK and FC Torpedo Moskva, Oper has been in fine form since joining Dutch club Roda last summer. With eight goals in 17 league appearances so far, he is among the top ten marksmen in the Eredivisie.
Kivisild departs
Meanwhile, former Estonia assistant coach Janno Kivisild has agreed to link up with his old boss, Arno Pijpers, at the helm of both the Kazakhstan national team and local club FC Zhenis Astana. The 28-year-old Kivisild coached Flora last term, in addition to his national-team duties, but stepped down to allow Pasi Rautiainen to take charge for 2006.
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