Mart Poom

1. Early life and education

Poom was born in Tallinn, Estonian SSR (modern-day Estonia), and spent his childhood growing up in the Mustamäe district of the city. He excelled academically, graduating from Tallinn Secondary School No. 49 with a gold medal. Following his secondary education, he enrolled at the Tallinn University of Technology, but ultimately decided to focus entirely on his burgeoning football career, leaving his studies unfinished to pursue his passion.

2. Playing career

Mart Poom's professional football career spanned over two decades, seeing him play for clubs across Estonia, Finland, Switzerland, and England, and represent his national team with distinction.

2.1. Club career

Poom's club career began in his native Estonia, followed by stints in various European leagues before making a significant mark in English football.

2.1.1. Early career and moves abroad

Poom began his football journey with Tallinna Lõvid_{Lions of Tallinn}^Estonian. In 1988, he played 20 matches for Flora Tallinn, scoring no goals. He then moved to the Soviet Second League club Sport Tallinn in 1989, where he played 33 games that year, also without scoring. He continued with Sport Tallinn in the 1990 Baltic League, making 26 appearances. In total, he played 59 matches for Sport Tallinn.

In 1992, Poom ventured abroad for the first time, joining Finnish Veikkausliiga club KuPS. He made only 9 appearances for the club before returning to Estonia the same year. Back in his home country, he signed for Meistriliiga club Flora, which was the successor to the Tallinna Lõvid team. He played 11 matches for Flora in the 1992-93 Meistriliiga season and another 11 in the 1993-94 Meistriliiga season, totaling 22 appearances for the club.

On 1 August 1993, Poom left Flora again, moving to Switzerland to join Nationalliga B side Wil for a reported transfer fee of 128.00 K GBP. He played 13 matches for Wil during the 1993-94 Swiss Nationalliga B season. A year later, on 4 August 1994, Poom made his move to England, signing for First Division side Portsmouth for an estimated transfer fee of 170.00 K GBP. He made 4 league appearances for Portsmouth, alongside 3 appearances in the League Cup.

In 1995, Poom returned to his former club Flora on loan, where he established a new club record by maintaining a clean sheet for an impressive 756 consecutive minutes. He played 7 league matches during the 1995-96 Meistriliiga season and 12 during the 1996-97 Meistriliiga season during his loan spell, making a total of 19 appearances.

2.1.2. Derby County

Mart Poom's transfer to Derby County on 26 March 1997 for 595.00 K GBP marked a significant period in his career. This move followed a strong performance for the Estonia national team in a 0-0 draw against Scotland in a rearranged match played in Monaco. He made his Premier League debut on 5 April 1997, featuring in Derby's 3-2 away victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, thereby becoming the first player from Estonia to play in the Premier League.

Poom quickly became a beloved figure among Derby County fans, who developed a distinctive chant of "Pooooom" that was often mistaken for booing by unfamiliar commentators. His strong performances earned him the Derby County's Player of the Year award for the 1999-2000 Derby County F.C. season. His enduring popularity was further underscored in 2022 when Derby County named him the best footballer of the 2000s decade. He made 146 league appearances for Derby County across various seasons, accumulating 166 total appearances.

2.1.3. Sunderland

Following Derby County's relegation to the First Division at the end of the 2001-02 Derby County F.C. season, Poom joined Sunderland on loan on 18 November 2002. The move was made permanent on 10 January 2003, with Sunderland securing his services for a fee of 3.19 M GBP. During his time at Sunderland, Poom featured in 58 league matches, scoring one memorable goal.

His most notable moment at Sunderland came on 20 September 2003, when he scored a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer with a header against his former club, Derby County, at Pride Park Stadium. This unique feat was described by commentators as "the best goal ever scored by a goalkeeper in the 90th minute on his first match against his former club," a sentiment echoed by the fact that the goal was cheered by both sets of fans. Despite this highlight, Poom's career at Sunderland was hampered by several injuries, forcing him to spend much of the 2004-05 Sunderland A.F.C. season on the sidelines. He made 11 league appearances during that season as Sunderland successfully won the 2004-05 Football League Championship.

2.1.4. Arsenal

On 31 August 2005, Poom was signed by Arsenal on loan to provide temporary cover for first-choice goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia. His move to the club was made permanent on 23 January 2006. As Arsenal's third-choice goalkeeper, Poom did not make a single appearance during the 2005-06 Arsenal F.C. season. However, he made history by becoming the first Estonian player to receive a UEFA Champions League runners-up medal after Arsenal was defeated by Barcelona in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Although he did not play in the final nor was he named on the substitutes' bench, Poom was part of Arsenal's 25-man European squad, and each member of the squad received a silver medal.

Poom eventually made his debut for Arsenal on 8 November 2006 in a League Cup match against Everton, coming on as a substitute for the injured Manuel Almunia at half-time. Arsenal went on to win the match 1-0, with a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor. His sole appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League came on the final day of the 2006-07 season, in a 0-0 draw against his former club, Portsmouth.

2.1.5. Watford

On 26 May 2007, Poom signed with Watford, a club that had recently been relegated from the Premier League, for an undisclosed fee. He began the new season as Watford's primary choice in goal but eventually lost his starting position to Richard Lee.

Poom returned to the side for the commencement of the 2008-09 Watford F.C. season. However, his season was largely cut short when he sustained a dislocated shoulder in a match against Reading on 20 September 2008. This injury ruled him out for the majority of the season. Although he eventually returned to training before the season concluded, he was not deemed fit for first-team consideration. Consequently, his contract, which was set to expire in June, was mutually terminated on 30 April 2009, bringing an end to his professional playing career. He made 19 appearances for Watford.

3. Coaching career

Following his retirement as a professional football player, Mart Poom transitioned into coaching. He initially served as an assistant goalkeeper coach at Arsenal, the last club he played for. In 2008, he returned to his home country to take on the role of goalkeeper coach for the Estonia national football team, a position he continues to hold.

4. Personal life

Mart Poom is married to Lissel, and together they have three sons: Markus, Andreas, and Patrick. Markus Poom has followed in his father's footsteps and is also a professional footballer. Andreas Poom has pursued a career in music as an artist.

5. Achievements and honours

Mart Poom's distinguished career earned him both team accolades and numerous individual awards.

Club

• Football League Championship: 2004-05 (with Sunderland)
• Football League Cup runner-up: 2006-07 (with Arsenal)
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005-06 (with Arsenal)

Individual

• Estonian Footballer of the Year: 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003
• Derby County Player of the Year: 1999-2000
• UEFA Jubilee Awards - Greatest Estonian Footballer of the last 50 Years (Golden Player): 2003
• Order of the White Star, 4th Class

6. Career statistics

The following tables provide detailed statistics for Mart Poom's appearances and goals throughout his club and international career.

7. Legacy and recognition

Mart Poom is widely considered one of the most prominent figures in Estonian football history. His consistent performances and longevity, particularly in the demanding English leagues, cemented his status as a national icon. The chant of "Pooooom" by Derby County fans became synonymous with his presence and popularity at the club.

His significant impact on Estonian football was formally recognized in November 2003 when the Estonian Football Association named him Estonia's "Golden Player" as part of the UEFA Jubilee Awards, commemorating the greatest Estonian footballer of the last 50 years. This honor, combined with his six Estonian Footballer of the Year awards and accumulating over 100 international caps, underscores his enduring legacy as an "Estonian hero." Furthermore, his contributions to the sport and his country were acknowledged through the awarding of the Order of the White Star, 4th Class, a high civilian honor in Estonia.