Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu made his Morton debut against Queen Of The South on Saturday after signing for the club earlier in the day.The first I'd heard of the news was in the Scottish Sun on Saturday morning. The match preview stated that Paartalu had been released by Gretna and that we had gained FIFA dispensation but needed to rush through his registration in order for him to play that day.
He took to the pitch wearing the number ten shirt and put in a decent display in the centre of midfield. He won most of his aerial battles and kept his passes simple (and effective) , rarely wasting possession.
Paartalu spent some of this season on loan at Stirling Albion and played for the Binos at Cappielow a few weeks back. If I remember correctly he played a sweeper role and looked okay that day.
There hasn't been any indication of the length of his contract anywhere but I'll post it on here if I find out.
Name: Erik Paartalu
Age: 21 ( d.o.b. - 3.5.1986)
Position: Centre Midfield
Height: 6' 2"
Nationality: Australian*
International Honours: Under-17
Former Clubs: Northern Spirit (Australia), Northern Tigers (Australia), Parramatta Eagles (Australia), Gretna, Stirling Albion [loan].
* One (or both) of Paartalu's parents is (are) Estonian. Estonia have been part of the European Union since 2004 so I assume that he is eligible to play in Scotland because he has a valid EU passport.
Erik is 6'5".
ReplyDeleteHis paternal grandparents were born in Estonia and moved to Australia after WW2.His parents are both Australia but he holds dual Estonian and Australian passports.
International honours Australian U-17 and represented Australia in the 2003 U17 World Cup in Finland.
Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteI assume you are either Erik, a relation or his agent.