Flora striker Rauno Sappinen has completed a move to Cypriot top-flight club Olympiakos Nicosia.
Flora sporting director Taavi Trasberg said the club opted to back Sappinen’s wish to play abroad again after interest emerged around a month ago.
“For Flora, a player moving to a foreign club is always a special event,” said Trasberg. “Considering Rauno’s long-term importance and role in the club’s success stories, our decision was that we wanted to support his desire to play abroad once more. We are sincerely grateful for everything he has done for Flora and wish him plenty of success and goals at his new club.”
The 30-year-old striker in his statement thanked Flora’s staff and supporters, with a particular mention for the medical department following a serious knee injury.
“I would like to start by thanking the entire Flora family, and especially the club’s medical staff,” he said. “After a difficult knee injury I had the chance to build myself back up, as well as receive professional treatment and support to come through the injury successfully.”
He added that Olympiakos’ interest developed during Flora’s European fixtures, but he wanted to finish those matches before revisiting his future.
“During the European games period, Olympiakos Nicosia became interested in me, but my wish was to play Flora’s matches in the European competitions and then look at the situation again,” said Sappinen. “The chance to take the next step in my career was still on the table and I’m very grateful to Flora that we reached an agreement. Flora is and will always remain in my heart.”
Olympiakos Nicosia were founded in 1931 and have won the Cypriot league three times, most recently in 1971. They finished 11th in the Cypriot top division last season.
Sappinen scored 149 goals in 255 Premium liiga appearances for Flora and won four league titles and four Estonian Cups with the club. He has previously played abroad for Beerschot Wilrijk, Den Bosch, Domžale, Piast Gliwice, Stal Mielec and Hapoel Jerusalem.
After sustaining a serious knee injury in July 2024, his contract in Israel ended and he returned to Flora during his recovery, helping them to the league title last year as the division’s top scorer and to the cup this spring.
Sappinen, named Estonia’s Footballer of the Year in 2020 and 2021, has 65 caps and 17 goals for the national team.
Source: https://fcflora.ee/rauno-sappinen-liitus-kuprose-klubiga-nicosia-olympiacos/
