Andreas Vaikla


Andreas Raido Karuks Vaikla is a Canadian-born Estonian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Estonian Meistriliiga club Narva Trans.

Club career

Early career

Vaikla began playing football in Canada. In 2013, he received a call-up to the Estonia under-16 team, being eligible due to his Estonian parents. He was scouted by West Bromwich Albion in a match against the Republic of Ireland, which led to him later joining the English club's academy the same year.

IFK Norrköping

On 24 July 2015, Vaikla signed a year-and-a-half contract with Swedish club IFK Norrköping. He was a part of the IFK Norrköping squad that won both the 2015 Allsvenskan and the 2015 Svenska Supercupen, however only appearing as an unused substitute. Vaikla made his debut for the club on 20 February 2016, a day after his 19th birthday, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 victory over Östersunds FK in the 2015–16 Svenska Cupen. On April 22, Vaikla made his debut in the Allsvenskan, replacing the injured David Mitov Nilsson in the 19th minute of a 1–2 loss to Falkenbergs FF. He made 13 league appearances in the 2016 season.

IFK Mariehamn

On 1 February 2017, Vaikla signed a three-year contract with Finnish champions IFK Mariehamn. He made his debut in the Veikkausliiga on 8 April 2017, in a 5–2 home victory over JJK.

Kristiansund

On 28 December 2017, Vaikla signed a two-year contract with Norwegian club Kristiansund.

International career

Born in Canada to Estonian parents, Vaikla has represented Estonia at under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.
On 14 March 2016, Vaikla was called up by manager Magnus Pehrsson to the Estonia squad to face Norway and Serbia in friendly matches, but remained an unused substitute. He made his debut for the senior national team on 1 June 2016, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 friendly home win over Andorra.

Career statistics

Club

International