Estonian Premium Liiga side Paide Linnameeskond have strengthened their attacking options by signing 22-year-old Gambian forward Dawda Darboe on a two-year contract.
Darboe arrives from Slovak second-tier club Zlate Moravce-Vrable, whom he joined in February. During his six-month spell in Slovakia, he made 11 appearances and scored two goals. Before moving to Europe, the striker represented Gambian clubs Gunjur United, Wallidan FC and Fortune FC.
The new Paide signing has also featured for the Gambia U20 national team. He represented his country at the 2024 African Games in Accra, making three appearances and scoring once during the tournament.
Paide sporting director Gert Kams revealed that the club had been monitoring Darboe for some time before completing the transfer.
“Dawda is a player we have been following for a while. He is a quick, sharp and hard-working forward who can play in several positions when needed. He will add pace and aggression to our attacking play,” Kams said.
Darboe expressed his excitement after completing the move to Estonia.
“I am very happy to begin this new chapter with Paide Linnameeskond. I received a very warm welcome from everyone at the club and I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing at a higher level, with bigger expectations and the opportunity to continue developing as a player. Paide has previously given several Gambian footballers the chance to develop here and showcase their quality, and I am proud that I now have the same opportunity. I am very grateful to the club and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Darboe becomes Paide’s third signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Estonian centre-back Kristofer Käit and Colombian winger Juan Palacios.
Paide who are currently 4th in the Premium Liiga table, will play their next game tomorrow, when they will host Nõmme United.
