Levadia adopt new identity

Sporting club
The champions of 1999 and 2000 decided to alter their identity after becoming part of an all-encompassing club in Tallinn called KalevUnited which incorporates the basketball team Kalev Tallinn and the Estonian Ice Hockey Federation, which will soon form a team to compete in the Finnish league.

Merger in 1998
The club were previously known as FC Olümp Maardu but switched to their more familiar moniker in 1998 after being acquired by the Levadia metal works. A merger with Tallinna Sadama JK in December 1998 brought immediate success, Levadia winning a league and cup double in addition to the Estonian Supercup.

Tallinn move
Levadia repeated that feat in 2000 but have only been able to claim the Supercup in the last two seasons, finishing two points behind champions FC Flora in the 2002 title race. The club moved to Tallinn from the small town of Maardu last term, and the name change correctly emphasises the geography of the club.

New season
LevadiaKalev will not change the names of the two other clubs under their jurisdiction, Premier Division FC Levadia Tallinn and FC Levadia Pärnu, who will play outside the top flight following relegation in 2002. The new Estonian season begins on 9 March.