Ragnar Klavan Dusts Off His Football Boots After 22 Years of Senior Football
Liverpool cult hero Ragnar Klavan has dusted off his football boots after signing up for his 22nd year of senior football, it has been almost a year since he played competitively. Since making his last competitive appearance, for Paide Linnameeskond, Klavan has taken part in Estonia’s version of Dancing with the Stars, a Liverpool charity match and appeared on Eurovision.
Klavan Returns to the Pitch After Deliberating for Months
His European ventures soon saw him commit more time to act as president of Tallinna Kalev, he’s held the position since 2016, but on Monday it was announced he will return to the pitch. The 37-year-old will combine his duties as president with his role as a player, a decision he came to after a number of months of deliberating – it’s an admirable feat!
“When I started training with Tallinna Kalev in January before the season, it was clear that if my body allows and everything else fits, I would like to play for Kalev,” he told the club’s website. “It doesn’t matter to me whether I am in a supporting role on the bench or a carrying force on the pitch.”
Tallinna Kalevi’s season is already well underway having started in March, it runs until November, and after 20 matches they sit in fourth position, in touching distance of a Europa Conference League qualifying spot.
Klavan Rivals Longevity of Former Red James Milner
His decision to carry on rivals the longevity of another former Red in James Milner. The, now Brighton midfielder, made his senior debut in November 2002, 19 months after Klavan. Both are 37 years of age and have played professional football for more than 40 years combined – a decade of that time was spent at Liverpool between Milner (eight years) and Klavan (two).
The duo played 45 times together at Liverpool and while Milner continues in the Premier League, Klavan could make his first appearance in 321 days when Tallinna Kalev meet Pärnu JK Vaprus on Saturday.
Go Well Ragnar!
Ragnar Klavan has been a cult hero at Liverpool since his two-year stint at the club ended in 2018. After almost a year away from competitive football, Klavan has decided to return to the pitch and combine his duties as president of Tallinna Kalev with his role as a player. His decision to carry on rivals the longevity of another former Red in James Milner who made his senior debut 19 months after Klavan.
Both are 37 years of age and have played professional football for more than 40 years combined – a decade of that time was spent at Liverpool between Milner (eight years) and Klavan (two). The duo played 45 times together at Liverpool and while Milner continues in the Premier League, Klavan could make his first appearance in 321 days when Tallinna Kalev meet Pärnu JK Vaprus on Saturday.
It is admirable that Klavan is still willing to play competitive football after 22 years and we wish him all the best in his return to the pitch. Go well Ragnar!