Erik Paartalu
Erik Endel Paartalu (born 3 May 1986) is an Australian professional footballer of Estonian descent who plays as a defensive midfielder. He has played professionally in Scotland, Australia, China, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and India.[1]
| Paartalu with Greenock Morton in 2009 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Erik Endel Paartalu | ||
| Date of birth | 3 May 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Number | 26 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Northern Spirit | |||
| 2000–2001 | NSWIS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2004 | Northern Spirit | 3 | (0) |
| 2004 | Northern Tigers | 17 | (4) |
| 2004–2006 | Parramatta Eagles | 28 | (2) |
| 2006–2008 | Gretna | 35 | (4) |
| 2008 | → Stirling Albion (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| 2008–2010 | Greenock Morton | 58 | (6) |
| 2010–2013 | Brisbane Roar | 79 | (10) |
| 2013 | Tianjin Teda | 30 | (4) |
| 2014 | Muangthong United | 21 | (2) |
| 2014–2016 | Melbourne City | 40 | (7) |
| 2016 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Al Kharaitiyat | 9 | (0) |
| 2017–2021 | Bengaluru | 67 | (9) |
| International career | |||
| 2003 | Australia U-17 | 3 | (0) |
| 2013 | Australia | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:46, 18 December 2020 (UTC) | |||
Club career
NSL
Paartalu began his career with Northern Spirit in the National Soccer League, after stints with the Spirit youth team and the New South Wales Institute of Sport. His NSL career at the Spirit was however limited to a single appearance as a substitute on 11 January 2004 against the Melbourne Knights.
After the dissolution of the Northern Spirit, Paartalu moved to the Northern Tigers in the New South Wales Winter Super League where he played 17 matches scoring four goals in the 2004 season.[2]
During 2004 Paartalu moved to the Parramatta Eagles who were then playing in the New South Wales Premier League. He continued with the Eagles until the latter half of the 2006 season, before he decided to take his chances on a career in the United Kingdom.
Scotland
After a trial with Doncaster in League One it was expected he would sign a contract until the departure of manager Dave Penney put an end to the deal.[3] Arriving at Gretna in September Paartalu was signed on a short-term contract after a trial. A number of impressive performances led to a two and a half-year contract being signed in January 2007. Paartalu joined Stirling Albion on 1 January 2008 on a loan deal from Gretna until the end of the 2007/2008 season.[4] Paartalu made his debut for the Binos against Hamilton on 5 January 2008 at New Douglas Park.[5] In his second game he scored his first and only goal for the club, in a 4–1 defeat to Livingston.[6]
Paartalu was released by Gretna in March 2008 due to them entering administration.[7] He then joined Greenock Morton.[8] After helping Morton stay in the First Division, Paartalu signed a two-year deal at the end of April 2008 to keep him at Cappielow until 2010.[9]
Brisbane Roar
With his contract at Morton running out in the summer, Paartalu signed a pre-contract agreement with Brisbane Roar on 24 February 2010.[10] Paartalu became an important player for Brisbane, a linchpin in the midfield and scoring crucial goals.[11][12][13] Paartalu's defining moment at the Roar came in the 2011 A-League Grand Final, where he scored the equaliser with the last touch of the game in the 120th minute.[14] He also went on to score the Roar's second penalty in the shootout against the Mariners. Paartalu was awarded the A-League Solo Goal of the Year for the 2010–11 season for his volley against Gold Coast United in the last game of the regular season.
In Brisbane's first match of the 2011–12 finals series, Paartalu's powerful strike sealed a 2–0 win for Brisbane in the first leg against the Central Coast.
Paartalu started in 85 consecutive games for Brisbane Roar in the A-League and the AFC Champions League in both the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons, including the A-League finals series.[13]
Tianjin Teda
On 21 January 2013 it was confirmed that Paartalu had signed a three-year deal with Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League.[15]
Muangthong United
After leaving Tianjin Teda in February 2014, Paartalu signed for Muangthong United in the Thai Premier League.[16]
Melbourne City
In July 2014, Paartalu was offered a to be signed as a domestic marquee player by Newcastle Jets, but he opted to see out his contract with Muangthong United.[17] In September Newcastle Jets reopened talks with Paartalu, following the departure of Craig Goodwin from the club.[18] However, despite the courting and lucrative offer by Newcastle Jets, on 15 September Paartalu signed a four-year deal with Melbourne City under the salary cap,[19] saying "I want to be at a club with an ambition to be successful on and off the field and Melbourne City FC is that club."[20] After 40 games and 7 goals for the club across nearly two season, Paartalu was released by the club to pursue opportunities in South Korea.[21]
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Following his release from Melbourne City, Paartalu joined K League Classic side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on a one year deal.[22] However, after just three months with the team, Paartalu was dropped from the squad, with coach Chio Kang-hee asking the midfielder to train alone.[23]
Al Kharaitiyat
In October 2016, Paartalu joined Qatari Stars League club Al Kharaitiyat.[24]
Bengaluru FC
On 5 July 2017, Paartalu joined Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC on a one-year deal.[25] In November, he scored a brace against Delhi Dynamos.[26] On 14 March 2018, his contract was extended until the end of 2020.[27] Paartalu was part of the 2018–19 Indian Super League season winning squad and ended the following 2019-20 season as the club's highest assist getter with five contributions to his name.[28][29] Paartalu signed a two-year extension to his contract with Bengaluru FC at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. "Bengaluru has held a special place in my heart for the past three years. Every time I leave the city, I am somehow drawn back to it," Paartalu said after putting pen to paper.[30]
International career
Paartalu represented Australia at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship.[31] Paartalu played in all three of Australia's three games in the tournament, including losses against Argentina and Nigeria. On 21 February 2012 he was selected to play for the "Socceroos" against Saudi Arabia national football team in a World Cup qualification match.[32] Paartalu also represented the Australian National Team in two games at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup, with appearances against South Korea and China PR.[33][34]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played on 9 January 2020
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Northern Spirit | 2003–04[35] | National Soccer League | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Northern Tigers | 2004[35] | National Premier Leagues NSW 2 | 17 | 4 | — | — | 28 | 8 | ||
| Gretna | 2007–08[36] | Scottish Premier League | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |
| Sitrling Albion (loan) | 2007–08[37] | Scottish First Division | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 1 | |
| Greenock Morton | 2007–08[37] | Scottish First Division | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008–09[38] | Scottish First Division | 27 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | 32 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10[39] | Scottish First Division | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 27 | 3 | ||
| Total | 58 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | 64 | 7 | |||
| Brisbane Roar | 2010–11[36] | A-League | 33 | 4 | — | — | 33 | 4 | ||
| 2011–12[36] | A-League | 30 | 4 | — | — | 30 | 4 | |||
| 2012–13[36] | A-League | 16 | 2 | — | 6[a] | 0 | 22 | 2 | ||
| Total | 79 | 10 | — | 6 | 0 | 85 | 10 | |||
| Tianjin Teda | 2013[36] | Chinese Super League | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 30 | 4 | |
| Muangthong United | 2014[36] | Thai Premier League | 21 | 2 | — | 21 | 2 | |||
| Melbourne City | 2014–15[36] | A-League | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 | 3 | |
| 2015–16[36] | A-League | 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 18 | 4 | ||
| Total | 42 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — | 44 | 7 | |||
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 2016[36] | K League Classic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Al Kharaitiyat | 2016–17[36] | Qatar Stars League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |
| Bengaluru FC | 2017–18 | Indian Super League | 18 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11[b] | 3 | 33 | 6 |
| 2018–19 | Indian Super League | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2019–20 | Indian Super League | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2020–21 | Indian Super League | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| Total | 67 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 87 | 12 | ||
| Career total | 345 | 43 | 14 | 1 | 26 | 3 | 385 | 47 | ||
- ^ a b Appearances in AFC Champions League
- ^ Appearances in AFC Cup
Honours
Club
Gretna
Brisbane Roar
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motars
- AFC Champions League: Winner 2016
Bengaluru
- Indian Super League : 2017-18 (Table Toppers)
- Indian Super League: 2018–19 (Table Toppers + Cup)
- Super Cup: 2018
International
Australia U-17
Individual
References
- ^ "Australia - E. Paartalu - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "OzFootball Australian Player Database". OzFootball. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
- ^ . News and Star. 12 December 2006. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2007.
- ^ "Stirling in bold move for McCann". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
- ^ . Robin Bairner, stirlingalbion.com reporter. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ "Stirling Albion 1–4 Livingston". BBC. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- ^ "Gretna make 22 players redundant". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Paartalu completes Morton switch". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Paartalu signs new deal at Morton". BBC Sport. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2008.
- ^ . brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ "Postecoglou confident Brisbane Roar can keep Paartalu - Tribal Football".
- ^ a b Brisbane Roar player Erik Paartalu is the ironman of the team having played every game for the last two seasonsThe Courier Mail 7 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ . Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ Roar star Eric Paartalu signs two-year deal with Chinese Super League Side Tianjin Teda Herald Sun
- ^ Muangthong claims Paartalu signature 2 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine – The World Game on SBS
- ^ Lewis, David (31 July 2014). "Newcastle Jets pursuit of Paartalu on hold". SBS.
- ^ Gardiner, James (8 September 2014). "Erik Paartalu back in the picture for Jets as Goodwin heads home". The Newcastle Herald.
- ^ "Melbourne City FC sign Erik Paartalu". Football Federation Australia. 15 September 2014.
- ^ Windley, Matt (15 September 2014). "Melbourne City sign former Brisbane Roar midfielder Erik Paartalu for four years". Herald Sun.
- ^ "City Release Erik Paartalu". Melbourne City FC. 2 February 2016.
- ^ "Australia international Paartalu seals move to Jeonbuk". AFC. 5 February 2016.
- ^ Windley, Matt (16 May 2016). "Former Socceroo Erik Paartalu not featuring for Jeonbuk Motors as speedy K-League takes its toll". Herald Sun. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "Koua joins Al Arabi Club; Sumaila opts for Gharafa". Qatar Tribune. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "Bengaluru FC sign Aussie midfielder Paartalu". Bengaluru FC. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ Shreedutta Chidanda (26 November 2017). "BFC cruises to victory". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ "ISL: Paartalu extends stay with Bengaluru FC". The Times of India. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ "Bengaluru sign Spanish midfielder Alejandro Barrera to replace injured Erik Paartalu". Indian Super League. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ "The official Website of the Hero Indian Super League". Indian Super League. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Erik Paartalu extends Bengaluru stay". Indian Super League. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, Jonathan, "Erik Paartalu ... Homeward Bound", Greenock Morton F.C. official matchday programme
- ^ . Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
- ^ "Erik Paartalu Photos Photos: Australia v China - EAFF East Asian Cup 2013". Zimbio. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "China's Zhang Linpeng competes for the ball with Australia's Erik..." Getty Images. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Paartalu, Erik". Oz Football. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "E. Paartalu". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Erik Paartalu in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Erik Paartalu in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Erik Paartalu in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
External links
- Indian Super League Profile
- [1]
- OzFootball profile
- Erik Paartalu – K League stats at kleague.com (in Korean)