Full Name Erik Endel Paartalu
Born May 3, 1986
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Nationality Australian
Role Defensive Midfielder
Erik Endel Paartalu is a professional football player who was born on 3 May 1986 in Sydney, Australia.
He has represented Australian National Team as well as a number of Asian and European football clubs. At the present time, he plays as a defensive midfielder for Bengaluru FC in Indian Super League.
Background
Paartalu started his youth career with the junior team of Northern Spirit FC, a former football club that competed in the National Soccer League, Australia. Later, he played for New South Wales Institute of Sport from 2000 to 2001.
Paartalu did enough in club football to earn a place in Australia U-17 squad and in 2003, he get an opportunity to represent Australia U-17 team at the FIFA U-17 World Championship and played the team’s all three games in the tournament.
Debut
After a decent youth career, Paartalu made his debut on 11 January 2004, playing as a substitute for Northern Spirit FC in the NSL against Melbourne Knights. Although, it was his first and last game for Northern Spirit FC as the club was dissolved later.
Afterwards, Paartalu switched to Northern Tigers and played 2004 New South Wales Winter Super League. He played 17 games for the club in the season and scored 4 goals.
During the late months of 2004, he moved to Parramatta Eagles and played in the New South Wales Premier League. He appeared in 28 matches for the Eagles in the period of 2004 to 2006 and netted two goals.
Rise to glory
Paartalu had always been amazing in the midfield but after joining Brisbane Roar on 24 February 2010, he touched new heights.
He remained a significant player for the club throughout the period, scoring some deciding goals and providing some helpful assists. In the 2011 A-League Grand Final, he netted a goal in the 120th minute of the game to equal the score and later, he helped his team win the title by scoring the second penalty of the shootout.
He was also awarded the Solo Goal of the Year for 2010-11 A-League season for scoring a volley against Gold Coast United.
Paartalu featured in all the matches for Brisbane Roar in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons of A-League and AFC Champions League, winning A-League championship twice and A-League Premiership once.
On 15 September 2014, Paartalu came back in Australia and joined Melbourne City FC after playing in the Chinese Super League and Thai Premier League. He claimed 7 goals for the club, playing 42 games.
Club career
Paartalu has played for various football clubs in various leagues across the globe apart from Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City FC.
Gretna, Stirling Albion, Greenock Morton, Tianjin Teda, Muangthong United, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Al Kharaitiyat are some other clubs he played for.
On 5 July 2017, he signed a one-year deal with ISL club Bengaluru FC and made his debut for the club on 23 August 2017 in an AFC Cup game. He signed an extension next year in 2018 which would see him remain at the club at least till 2020.
He has become a key player for the team in the midfield, appearing in 18 ISL games till date, and scoring 3 goals.
