Ragnar Klavan was inspired to play football by his father, a professional footballer for Estonia.
Klavan is regarded as one of the greatest Estonian footballers of all time.
He has been named Estonian Footballer of the Year a record seven times between 2012 and 2019.
Biography
Early Life
Ragnar Klavan was born on October 30, 1985, in Viljandi, Estonia, to Tiina and Dzintar Klavan. His father was a professional footballer who played as a midfielder for the Estonia national team, which inspired Ragnar to pursue a career in football. Initially starting as a midfielder, he later transitioned to defense, citing Zinedine Zidane as a significant influence on his early playing style.
Career
Klavan's professional career began with Viljandi JK Tulevik, where he made his senior league debut in 2001. He quickly moved up the ranks, joining FC Flora Tallinn in 2003, where he won the Meistriliiga title in his first season. His career took him to several clubs across Europe, including a loan to Vålerenga in Norway, and later stints with Heracles Almelo, AZ Alkmaar, FC Augsburg, and Liverpool F.C. He became a prominent figure in the Bundesliga and Premier League, showcasing his skills as a full-back and center-back.
Internationally, Klavan has been a stalwart for the Estonia national team since 2003, earning over 100 caps and serving as captain. He has been named Estonian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, highlighting his impact on the sport in his home country.
Personal Life
Klavan married Lili Orel on June 10, 2011, and they have three children together. Beyond football, he became the president of the Estonian club Tallinna Kalev in 2016 and represented Estonia as a spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, showcasing his connection to his national identity beyond the pitch.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Klavan began his youth career in 1999 with the Estonia under-15 team. He also represented the under-17, under-18, under-20, and under-21 national sides, amassing 22 youth appearances overall. Klavan made his senior international debut for Estonia on 3 July 2003, at age 17, in 5–1 loss to Lithuania at the 2003 Baltic Cup. He scored his first international goal on 31 May 2006, in a 1–1 home draw against New Zealand in a friendly. Klavan made his 50th appearance for the national team on 11 October 2008, in a 3–0 home defeat to Spain in a qualification match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played in both matches against the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying play-offs as Estonia lost 5–1 on aggregate. On 29 February 2012, Klavan captained Estonia for the first time and scored in a 2–0 friendly victory over El Salvador. In 2012, he succeeded Raio Piiroja as Estonia's captain. On 27 March 2015, Klavan made his 100th appearance for Estonia, in a 0–3 away loss to Switzerland in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match. Klavan has been named Estonian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Tulevik
Klavan started out playing for his hometown team Tulevik. He made his senior league debut in the Esiliiga on 8 April 2001, playing for Tulevik's reserve team Elva and scoring the winning goal against Sillamäe Kalev in a 2–1 home victory. He moved to Tulevik's first team in 2002 and made his debut in the Meistriliiga on 31 March 2002, at age 16, in a goalless draw against Levadia. While at Tulevik, Klavan had a trial with Sunderland, but was not offered a contract.
Flora
In July 2003, Klavan joined Meistriliiga club Flora. He made his debut for the club on 11 July 2003, when he came on as a 67th-minute substitute and scored in the 85th minute of a 4–4 away draw against TVMK. Klavan won the Meistriliiga title in the 2003 season.
Vålerenga (loan)
On 31 August 2004, Klavan joined Norwegian club Vålerenga on a three-month loan for a fee of 300,000 NOK, with an option to sign permanently for €500,000 when the loan period ended. He made his debut in the Tippeligaen on 19 September 2004, coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute of a 4–1 victory over Molde. Klavan made one more league appearance before spending two matches on the bench as an unused substitute. On 19 November 2004, his loan was extended for a year until 30 November 2005.
Heracles Almelo
On 4 August 2005, Klavan signed a three-year contract with Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo for a fee of €200,000. He made his debut in the Eredivisie on 13 August 2005, in a 1–1 home…
- Club
- AZ Alkmaar (2009–2009)
- Club
- FC Augsburg (2012–2016)
- Club
- Vålerenga Fotball (2004–2005)
- Club
- Heracles Almelo (2005–2009)
- Club
- Viljandi JK Tulevik (2002–2003)
- League
- Bundesliga
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- Estonia
- Club
- FC Elva (2001–2001)
- Club
- JK Tallinna Kalev (2023–2024)
- Club
- Estonia men's national football team (2003–2024)
- Club
- Liverpool F.C. (2016–2018)
- Club
- Paide Linnameeskond (2021–2022)
- Club
- Estonia national under-21 football team (2003–2005)
- Club
- FC Flora Tallinn (2003–2005)
- Club
- Cagliari Calcio (2018–2021)
- Club
- AZ Alkmaar (2009–2012)
Personal
Klavan and his wife, Lili Orel, married on 10 June 2011. They have two sons, Romer and Ronan, and one daughter, Luna. In May 2016, Klavan became president of Estonian football club Tallinna Kalev. Klavan announced the Estonian jury points at the grand final of Eurovision Song Contest 2023 as the country's spokesperson. The contest was held in the city of Liverpool.
Klavan was born on 30 October 1985 in Viljandi, Estonia to Tiina and Dzintar Klavan. His father was a professional footballer who played as a midfielder and represented the Estonia national team. Klavan also started playing football as a midfielder; later stating that Zinedine Zidane was his inspiration.
Clubs
- FC Elva2001–2001
- Viljandi JK Tulevik2002–2003
- Estonia men's national football team2003–2024
- Estonia national under-21 football team2003–2005
- FC Flora Tallinn2003–2005
- Vålerenga Fotball2004–2005
- Heracles Almelo2005–2009
- AZ Alkmaar2009–2009
- AZ Alkmaar2009–2012
- FC Augsburg2012–2016
- Liverpool F.C.2016–2018
- Cagliari Calcio2018–2021
- Paide Linnameeskond2021–2022
- JK Tallinna Kalev2023–2024
Played together with
Aaron Samuel OlanareVålerenga Fotball · 2012–2013- Aaron ZehnterFC Augsburg · 2022–2024
- Aasmund BjørkanVålerenga Fotball · 2000–2002
Ab GritterHeracles Almelo · 1984–1986- Abdelkrim El HadriouiAZ Alkmaar · 1998–2002
- Abdoulaye MbayeVålerenga Fotball · 2003–2003
Abdoulie CeesayPaide Linnameeskond · 2024- Abe HartleyLiverpool F.C. · 1897–1898
- Abel XavierLiverpool F.C. · 2001–2002
- Abel XavierLiverpool F.C. · 2002–2003
- Abiodun ObafemiFC Augsburg · 2000–2001
- Adam HammillLiverpool F.C. · 2006–2009
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Ragnar Klavan is an Estonian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is regarded as one of the greatest Estonian footballers of all time. A left-footed centre back, he also played as a left back during his career.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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