Baltic Football News

Harju continue to strengthen for return to Premium Liiga

Kristofer Piht. Photo: Liisi Troska/jalgpall.ee

Promoted Harju JK Laagri have announced the signings of 24-year old defender Kaspar Laur and 23-year old Kristofer Piht, after the players left JK Tallinna Kalev and Paide Linnameeskond, with 21-year old academy graduate Kaspar Rõõmussaar and 25-year old Usalifa Jose Indi both returning to the club.

Kaspar Laur joined Kalev in 2018 from Paide’s U21’s team. The 204 cm tall center back, who can also play at striker, was mainly used as a substitute this season, played in 31 games in the Premium Liiga this season. Laur was called up to the Estonian national team by Thomas Häberli (SUI) in March 2024 for games against Poland and Finland, coming on against the latter as a substitute. Laur played in 190 games for Tallinna Kalev in the top flight, scoring on 12 occasions.

“I’m glad to join the club and to start a new chapter in my career. We, as a team, will fight toward our targets as one, meanwhile trying to overachieve and achieve more.” Laur told the press release.

Head Coach Lauri Nuuma added: “Kaspar will give us many different ways of using his skills in games, and adds versatility to our team. A player with decent experience in the Premium Liiga for his age.”

Kristofer Piht signed for Paide in 2018 from Nõmme United. The striker, who scored a match winning goal against Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) in the first leg of Paide’s UEFA Europa Conference League first playoff round, has been held back by injuries in the recent years, mostly spent the 2024 season playing in Esiliiga for the U21s team, recording 7 goals and 5 assists 14 games for them, with 2 goals and a single assist in 12 appearances (11 as a substitute) for the senior team. Piht has recorded 107 games in the Premium Liiga, scoring 29 goals.

“Hi everyone! I’m glad to be here. I will give my best to make this year unforgettable for the club.” Piht said, with Nuuma adding: “A striker with potential, who is yet to break through in the Premium Liiga. I believe, that he will find stability with us.”

Kaspar Rõõmussaar returns to Harju, after a year away at Nõmme United, where he featured in 25 games across all competitions, scoring two goals and recording an assist. In 2021, the midfielder had trials with PSG.

“I’m very glad to be back at my home club again. Now, that the team has more experience, I am more than sure, that this year we can achieve, what was left unachieved last time in the Premium Liiga.” Rõõmussaar stated, with club CEO Kalmar Liiv adding: “Very glad to see our own academy graduate Kaspar in the Harju squad again. Definitely a very important puzzle piece in our 2025 lineup.”

24-year old Guinean midfielder Usalifa Jose Indi will begin his second stint at the club, playing for the Laagri based side in 2023 for 2184 minutes across 27 matches in all competitions.

“Hello Harju Family! I would like to inform everyone that I am back. Back to a place I can call home. It’s an honor to be part of this family again. I’m another person who comes to help the club and my teammates achieve the goals of the season.”, Indi told the press release. Club CEO Kalmar Liiv added: “A midfielder with a big engine and defensive radius, who left a good impression in 2023, but couldn’t play for the full season due to several reasons. We believe, that he will help the team a lot with his skills and work ethic!”

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