Nõmme United FC, preparing for their return to the Premium Liiga next season, continue to shape their squad with a symbolic and experienced addition. The club has officially announced that Henri Järvelaid, a product of the Nõmme United academy, will return to the team after more than a decade away.
The 27-year-old full-back spent the first half of last season with FCI Levadia, before being loaned out in the summer to Tartu JK Tammeka. Across both spells, Järvelaid made 17 Premium Liiga appearances, scoring once.
With his contract now expired, Järvelaid’s two-and-a-half-year stint at Levadia has come to an end. Nõmme United moved swiftly to bring back a player who represents the club’s roots. Järvelaid progressed through every age group of the Nõmme United academy before departing in 2015, when he joined the Flora system at just 16 years old.
Over the course of his career, Järvelaid has represented all of Estonia’s traditional powerhouses – FC Flora Tallinn, FCI Levadia Tallinn, and Nõmme’s other top-flight club, Nõmme Kalju. He has accumulated 143 Premium Liiga matches, scoring 17 goals. In his medal cabinet he has four league titles and two Estonian Cups.
Internationally, the left-back has earned four caps for the Estonian national team, while also experience abroad with spells in Norway’s Sogndal IL and Denmark’s Vendsyssel FF, where he spent two seasons.
Järvelaid’s return is part of a broader, carefully planned buildup by Nõmme United ahead of their top-flight return. The club has already confirmed that Ghanaian attacking player Dacosta Owusu will remain permanently after a successful loan spell last season. The same applies to Zambian forward Benjamine Chisala, who has also been secured on a permanent deal.
Continuity has been a priority as well. Nõmme United have extended contracts with club captain Andrei Frolov, forwards Kevin Mätas, goalkeeper Georg Mattias Lagus, midfielder Bruno Vain, and defenders Mathias Palts and Karl Läänelaid.
