Former Liverpool defender Ragnar Klavan has retired from football at the age of 39 and has announced his candidacy for president of the Estonian Football Association.
“My legs are no longer enough for me to play football,” Klavan, whose last club was Kalev Tallinn, told reporters on Tuesday.
“The time has come for me to say goodbye to my first love and to end 24 incredible years as a professional footballer. I have achieved a dream since my childhood thanks to many people – my family, my coaches and my team-mates. “
Of course, there have been many milestones in my career. But above all else it was playing for the Estonian national team, because it opened the door for me to play in three leagues.”
Klavan began his professional career in his home country in 2001, before moving on to Heracles Almelo and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands’ top flight from 2005-2012.
After his time in the Dutch league, Klavan continued to shine in the Bundesliga with Augsburg for four seasons before being snapped up by Jurgen Klopp in 2016. During his
two seasons with the Reds, Klavan made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice, and playing a part in the 2017-18 Champions League final. He then moved to Cagliari in Italy’s Serie A for three more seasons before returning to finish the season in his homeland. “My
next dream is Estonian football,” http://ufabet999.app added left-footed defender Klavan, who has won 130 caps for his national team, about the future.
“I am excited to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the Estonian Football Association in 2025. I see and believe that our industry has even greater potential,”