Nõmme Kalju signed 3 year contract with Estonian national team striker Ats Purje, who decided to continue he’s career in Estonia.
“I am very happy to continue my career in Kalju,” Purje said , adding: “My target is to help Nõmme Kalju become champion again.”
First team coach Sergei Terehhov added: “Kalju got experianced and versatile player, who has proved himself in Estonia, aboard and Estonian national team. Surely he will be important player for us in title race.”
“Ats Purje’s willingness to sign 3 year contract with Kalju fit into clubs renewed sports politics very well. He’s international experiances in club and natinal team level will surely help Kalju and Estonian football,” Kalju’s president Kuno Tehva said.
Purje moved to Finland in 2008, joining Turu Inter. He was instant success, as in first season he won Finnish Veikkausliiga and cup. After two seasons in Inter he played for Cyprus teams AEP Paphos ja Ethnikos Achna. After two seasons he went back to Finland, signing with KUPS. He’s last season in club was he’s best, hitting the net 9 times. He finished as teams top scorer.
“My last season was my best so far in my carreer, statistically and playfully. I was winger and teams best goal scorer, but I decided to leave Finland. I have been away for so long time and now its time to give something back to my birthland’s football with my experiances and skills,” Purje added.
29 year old has 47 caps for national team, scoring 5 goals. He’s last goal was winning goal against Slovenia in EM qualification game.