Biography
Who is Mart Poom?
Early life and background
Mart Aro Poom was born on February 3, 1972, in Tallinn, Estonia. Growing up in the Mustamäe district, he attended Tallinn Secondary School No. 49 and graduated with a gold medal. Following his secondary schooling, he enrolled at the Tallinn University of Technology. However, he eventually left his academic studies to focus entirely on his professional football career.
Career in European football
In 1992, he moved to Finland to play for the club KuPS. His stay there was brief, as he played only nine games before returning to Estonia to sign with Flora. By August 1993, he moved to Switzerland to play for the Nationalliga B side Wil. This transfer involved a fee of £128,000.
Playing for Sunderland and Arsenal
He joined Sunderland on loan in November 2002, with the move becoming permanent in January 2003 for £3.19 million. A significant moment occurred in September 2003 when he scored a 90th-minute header against his former club, Derby County. Injuries hampered his time at Sunderland, limiting his appearances during the 2004–05 season, though the team still won the Football League Championship.
International achievements
Mart Poom made his debut for the Estonia national team on June 3, 1992, in a match against Slovenia. This game was well-known as the first official match for Estonia following the restoration of their independence. Over his career, he earned 120 caps for his country and served as the team's captain on several occasions.
Family and personal life
Mart lives with his wife, Lissel. The couple has two sons, Markus and Andreas, along with their son Patrick. His son Markus has followed in his footsteps as a professional footballer. In addition to his playing career, he has transitioned into coaching, currently serving as the goalkeeping coach for the Estonia national team. He stands at a height of 194 centimeters.
Birthday and age
Mart Poom was born on February 3, 1972, which makes Mart 54 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Mart shares the date with 50 other famous people.
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