Taijo Teniste (born 31 January 1988) is an Estonian professional footballer who plays as a right back for Estonian Esiliiga club Tartu Welco and the Estonia national team.

Club career

SK 10

Teniste came through the Spordiklubi 10 youth academy and played for the club's first team in the IV liiga.

Levadia

In January 2005, Teniste signed for Levadia. He made his debut in the Meistriliiga on 3 April 2005, in a 4–0 home victory over Merkuur Tartu. Teniste helped Levadia win four successive Meistriliiga titles in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

On 4 July 2011, Teniste joined League Two side Swindon Town for a trial, but was not offered a contract as manager Paolo Di Canio felt Teniste was not a natural left back.

Sogndal

On 1 September 2011, Teniste joined Norwegian club Sogndal on loan until the end of the season, with the option to make the deal permanent. He made his debut in the Tippeligaen on 11 September, in a 0–0 home draw against Aalesund, coming on as a substitute for Ole Jørgen Halvorsen in injury time. On 23 December 2011, Teniste signed a two-year contract with Sogndal. His contract was subsequently extended to 2015 and then to 2017. Teniste scored his first goal for Sogndal on 26 November 2017, in a 5–2 home win over Vålerenga in the last match of the 2017 season.

Brann

On 14 August 2017, it was announced that Teniste would join Brann after the 2017 season on a three-year deal.

International career

Teniste playing for Estonia against Germany in 2019

Teniste has represented Estonia at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-21 and under-23 levels.

Teniste made his senior international debut for Estonia on 9 November 2007, replacing Urmas Rooba in the 70th minute of a 0–2 away loss to Saudi Arabia in a friendly. Teniste finally scored his first goal for the national team on his 93rd cap on 26 September 2022 scoring in a 4–0 UEFA Nations League away win against San Marino. This goal also helped Estonia seal their return to the C League.

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 November 2020.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SK 10 Premium2004IV liiga1716———1716
Levadia II2005Esiliiga165———165
2006Esiliiga275———275
2007Esiliiga65———65
Total4915———4915
Levadia2005Meistriliiga122101000142
2006Meistriliiga600000—60
2007Meistriliiga191402020271
2008Meistriliiga312502040422
2009Meistriliiga243106020333
2010Meistriliiga331302010391
2011Meistriliiga234202020294
Total1481316015011019013
Sogndal (loan)2011Tippeligaen7000——70
Sogndal2012Tippeligaen24010——250
2013Tippeligaen30020——320
2014Tippeligaen25020——270
2015OBOS-ligaen25020——270
2016Tippeligaen27030——300
2017Eliteserien26120—20301
Total1641120—201781
Brann2018Eliteserien23110——241
2019Eliteserien2612021—302
2020Eliteserien10000——100
Total5923021—643
Career total4374731017113049848

International

As of 09 September 2025

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Estonia200730
200920
201010
201150
201260
2013100
201480
201570
2016100
2017100
201860
201990
202070
202140
202271
202340
202400
202510
Total1001

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.26 September 2022San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San MarinoSan Marino2–04–02022–23 UEFA Nations League

Honours

Club

Levadia II

Levadia

Sogndal

External links