Arnold Pihlak

Arnold Pihlak (17 July 1902 – 1 November 1985) was an Estonian footballer. After joining Austria Vienna in 1928, he became the first-ever Estonian professional footballer.

Club career Pihlak began playing football as a school pupil in Pelgulinn, but his studies and sporting aspirations were interrupted by his voluntary participation in the Estonian War of Independence, where he served on the armoured train No. 2.

After the war, Pihlak was invited to play for Tallinna Kalev. He was initially a defender, until his attacking talent was discovered by coach Antal Mally.

Pihlak made his unofficial debut for Austria Wien in December 1928 during their tour in Italy. He retired from football in 1934, after he had been injured in a car accident the previous year, when his truck was hit by an oncoming train at an Ülemiste intersection.

International career Pihlak made his debut for Estonia national football team at 18 years old, when he was part of the country's first-ever national team match on 17 October 1920 against Finland. He also participated in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. In total, Pihlak made 44 appearances for the national team and scored 16 goals. He was Estonia's third highest goalscorer during the country's first period of independence.