Saag sets sail for Silkeborg

Estonia has high hopes for forward Kaimar Saag after the 19-year-old completed a €100,000 move from FC Levadia Tallinn to Denmark's Silkeborg IF.

Silkeborg connection
Silkeborg are third in the Danish second tier, battling for promotion to the Superliga as the only unbeaten side in their division. Having being surprisingly drafted into the senior national team by Danish coach Viggo Jensen, who has had two spells as boss of Silkeborg, Saag is now hoping to increase his international standing and add to his seven caps.

Early learning
Originally from the southern city of Viljandi, Saag started his career in the local football school before being taken on by Levadia in the summer of 2005. Quicky recognising his talent, the capital club gave Saag his league debut a month after his 17th birthday, although he was to spend the 2006 season with their reserves, Levadia-2, scoring 37 goals in 27 games.

Baltic crossing
At the start of the 2007 campaign, Saag was loaned to JK Kalev Tallinn, playing 14 league games before returning to Levadia for the remainder of the season. He did enough in that time to convince both Jensen and Silkeborg of his potential, and it is hoped that he can fulfil his promise when he crosses the Baltic Sea to join his new club.

Kotenko move
Another Levadia star heading abroad is Estonian international goalkeeper Artur Kotenko, who has signed a two-year contract with Sandnes Ulf, who has just been promoted to the second tier in Norway. Capped 14 times, Kotenko fell out with Levadia last season after refusing to sign a contract extension and was released after recovering from a broken finger.

Nõmme Kalju busy
The big movers in the winter transfer market have been promoted JK Nõmme Kalju who have signed nine players, including former internationals Aleksander Saharov and Mati Lember from JK Tulevik Viljandi as well as midfielder Liivo Leetma from Kalev. FC Flora Tallinn, in the meantime, have strengthened their midfield with 27-year-old Siksten Kasimir from JK Maag Tammeka Tartu.

Lithuanians depart
The Meistriliiga could set an interesting record in 2008 as it could be bereft of Lithuanian players for the first time since the country regained independence. From 1992 until 2007, over 30 Lithuanians appeared in the Estonian top flight but the four present last term – Tomas Rimas, Vitoldas Čepauskas, Marius Dovydenas and Tomas Sirevičius – have all headed home.