{{short description|Estonian footballer (born 1985)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ragnar Klavan | image = The Liverpool team line-up before the game v Spartak Moskva, December 2017 (cropped) (cropped).jpg | caption = Klavan lining up for Liverpool in 2017 | full_name = Ragnar Klavan<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|10|30|df=y}}<ref name="PremProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/15608/Ragnar-Klavan/overview |title=Ragnar Klavan: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> | birth_place = Viljandi, then part of Estonian SSR, Soviet Union | height = 1.87 m<ref name="PremProfile"/> | position = Centre-back | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Tulevik <!--ONLY LEAGUE APPEARANCES AND GOALS ADD TOWARDS THESE STATISTICS--> | years1 = 2001–2002 | clubs1 = Elva | caps1 = 31 | goals1 = 11 | years2 = 2002–2003 | clubs2 = Tulevik | caps2 = 28 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2003–2005 | clubs3 = Flora | caps3 = 28 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2004–2005 | clubs4 = → Vålerenga (loan) | caps4 = 2 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2005–2009 | clubs5 = Heracles Almelo | caps5 = 95 | goals5 = 4 | years6 = 2009 | clubs6 = → AZ (loan) | caps6 = 12 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2009–2012 | clubs7 = AZ | caps7 = 66 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2012–2016 | clubs8 = FC Augsburg | caps8 = 125 | goals8 = 4 | years9 = 2016–2018 | clubs9 = Liverpool | caps9 = 39 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2018–2021 | clubs10 = Cagliari | caps10 = 61 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2021–2022 | clubs11 = Paide Linnameeskond | caps11 = 21 | goals11 = 3 | years12 = 2023–2024 | clubs12 = Tallinna Kalev | caps12 = 22 | goals12 = 1 | totalcaps = 530 | totalgoals = 28 | nationalyears1 = 1999 | nationalteam1 = Estonia U15 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2001 | nationalteam2 = Estonia U17 | nationalcaps2 = 9 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2002 | nationalteam3 = Estonia U18 | nationalcaps3 = 1 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2003 | nationalteam4 = Estonia U20 | nationalcaps4 = 1 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2002–2006 | nationalteam5 = Estonia U21 | nationalcaps5 = 7 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2003–2024 | nationalteam6 = Estonia | nationalcaps6 = 130 | nationalgoals6 = 3 }} '''Ragnar Klavan''' (born 30 October 1985) is an Estonian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is regarded as one of the greatest Estonian footballers of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-24 |title=Eesti jalgpalli kõigi aegade esikümme. Kas Poom või Klavan? Kui kõrgele on kerkinud Heina-nimeline komeet? |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/eesti-jalgpalli-koigi-aegade-esikumme-kas-poom-voi-klavan-kui-korgele-on-kerkinud-heina-nimeline-komeet |access-date= |website=Soccernet.ee}}</ref> A left-footed centre back, he also played as a left back during his career.
Klavan played for Elva, Tulevik and Flora in Estonia, winning the Meistriliiga with Flora in the 2003 season, before moving to the Netherlands where he played for Heracles Almelo and AZ, winning the Eredivisie with the latter in the 2008–09 season. In 2012, he transferred to FC Augsburg and spent four seasons in the Bundesliga before his move to Liverpool in 2016 for €5 million. In 2018, Klavan signed for Serie A's Cagliari in a transfer worth £2 million. In 2021, he returned to Estonia signing for Paide Linnameeskond and retired from football with Kalev in 2024.
Klavan made his senior international debut for Estonia in 2003, and became captain in 2012. In 2015, he became the ninth player to make 100 appearances for Estonia, and is currently the fifth-most capped player in the history of the national team. Klavan has won the Estonian Footballer of the Year award a record seven times, in 2012 and six consecutive from 2014 to 2019.
==Early life== Klavan was born on 30 October 1985 in Viljandi, Estonia to Tiina and Dzintar Klavan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2039054.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109200205/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2039054.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 January 2014 |title=Europe's ultimate footballing families |publisher=UEFA |date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="ESBL">{{cite web |url=https://www.esbl.ee/biograafia/Ragnar_Klavan |title=Klavan, Ragnar |publisher=ESBL |language=et}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/19/who-is-ragnar-klavan-all-you-need-to-know-about-liverpools-newes |title=Who is Ragnar Klavan? All you need to know about Liverpool's newest addition |last=Brown |first=Luke |date=19 July 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>
==Club career== ===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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10505185/who-is-ragnar-klavan |title=Who is Liverpool transfer target Ragnar Klavan? |publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>
===Flora=== In July 2003, Klavan joined Meistriliiga club Flora.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.delfi.ee/archive/ragnar-klavan-mangib-nuud-floras?id=5979451 |title=Ragnar Klavan mängib nüüd Floras |date=11 July 2003 |publisher=Delfi Sport |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan now plays for Flora}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ESBL"/>
====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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.delfi.ee/archive/klavan-siirdub-norrasse?id=8507531 |title=Klavan siirdub Norrasse |date=1 September 2004 |publisher=Delfi Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan heading to Norway}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sakala.postimees.ee/2157119/jalgpallur-ragnar-klavan-jatkab-laenulepinguga-karjaari-norras |title=Jalgpallur Ragnar Klavan jätkab laenulepinguga karjääri Norras |date=23 November 2004 |work=Sakala |language=et|trans-title=Footballer Ragnar Klavan will continue his career in Norway on loan}}</ref>
===Heracles Almelo=== On 4 August 2005, Klavan signed a three-year contract with Eredivisie club Heracles Almelo for a fee of €200,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.delfi.ee/archive/klavanist-sai-heraclese-mangija?id=10901079 |title=Klavanist sai Heraclese mängija |date=5 August 2005 |publisher=Delfi Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan became Heracles' player}}</ref> He made his debut in the Eredivisie on 13 August 2005, in a 1–1 home draw against PSV.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sakala.postimees.ee/2164817/ragnar-klavan-tegi-hollandis-debuudi |title=Ragnar Klavan tegi Hollandis debüüdi |date=16 August 2005 |work=Sakala |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan made his debut in the Netherlands}}</ref> Klavan scored his first Eredivisie goal on 31 December 2006, in a 2–2 home draw against Vitesse, and provided the assist for Everton's goal in the same match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/1614415/andres-oper-ja-ragnar-klavan-tegid-hollandis-skoori |title=Andres Oper ja Ragnar Klavan tegid Hollandis skoori |date=31 December 2006 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Andres Oper and Ragnar Klavan scored in the Netherlands}}</ref> He scored his second goal on 24 August 2007, in a 2–1 loss to Roda JC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roda see off Heracles |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11906/2683699/ |publisher=Sky Sports |date=24 August 2007}}</ref> 30 October 2007, Klavan scored in a 3–0 home victory over FC Omniworld in the third round of the KNVB Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/1721555/klavan-aitas-koduklubi-voidule |title=Klavan aitas koduklubi võidule |date=30 October 2007 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan helped his club to a victory}}</ref> On 29 December 2007, Klavan signed a new contract that would extend his stay at the club until 30 June 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/1742737/klavan-pikendas-heraclesega-aasta-vorra-lepingut |title=Klavan pikendas Heraclesega aasta võrra lepingut |date=30 December 2007 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan extended contract with Heracles for a year}}</ref> On 20 April 2008, he scored his side's only goal in a 5–1 loss to Ajax in the last match of the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/1784909/ragnar-klavan-loi-amsterdami-ajaxile-varava |title=Ragnar Klavan lõi Amsterdami Ajaxile värava |date=20 April 2008 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan scored against Ajax Amsterdam}}</ref> In the opening match of the 2008–09 season on 31 August 2008, Klavan set-up Darl Douglas' opening goal and scored the second goal in a 3–1 home victory over Feyenoord.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/30788/ragnar-klavan-valiti-hollandis-nadala-mangijate-hulka |title=Ragnar Klavan valiti Hollandis nädala mängijate hulka |date=3 September 2008 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan voted to team of the week}}</ref>
===AZ=== [[File:Ragnar-klavan-1312497624.jpg|thumb|upright|Klavan with AZ in 2011]]
On 27 January 2009, Klavan joined AZ on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season with an option to sign permanently.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/74607/klavan-vahetas-hollandis-klubi |title=Klavan vahetas Hollandis klubi |date=27 January 2009 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan switches clubs in the Netherlands}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 4 February 2009, in a 1–0 home victory over Roda JC when he came on as a 60th-minute substitute for Kees Luijckx.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/78421/klavan-debuteeris-operi-klubi-vastu |title=Klavan debüteeris Operi klubi vastu |date=5 February 2009 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan debuted against Oper's club}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ned/news/newsid=800346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805180055/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=ned/news/newsid=800346.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2015 |title=Estonia's Klavan targets Dutch glory with AZ |publisher=UEFA |date=13 February 2009}}</ref> On 14 February, Klavan signed a four-year contract, keeping him with AZ until June 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/82335/klavan-solmis-azga-lepingu-2013-aastani |title=Klavan sõlmis AZga lepingu 2013. aastani |date=14 February 2009 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan signed a contract with AZ until 2013}}</ref> Klavan won the Eredivisie title in the 2008–09 season.<ref name="ESBL"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/108890/eindhoven-aitas-klavani-klubi-hollandi-meistriks |title=Eindhoven aitas Klavani klubi Hollandi meistriks |date=19 April 2009 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Eindhoven helped Klavan's club to become Dutch champions}}</ref>
On 29 September 2009, Klavan became the first Estonian to play in the UEFA Champions League group stage when he came on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Sébastien Pocognoli in a 1–1 home draw against Standard Liège.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.delfi.ee/news/jalgpall/eurosarjad/ragnar-klavan-tegi-meistrite-liigas-ajalugu.d?id=25970429 |title=Ragnar Klavan tegi Meistrite Liigas ajalugu! |date=29 September 2009 |publisher=Delfi Sport |language=et |trans-title=Ragnar Klavan made history in the Champions League! |access-date=14 June 2011 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220810/http://sport.delfi.ee/news/jalgpall/eurosarjad/ragnar-klavan-tegi-meistrite-liigas-ajalugu.d?id=25970429 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/169655/video-ragnar-klavani-debuut-meistrite-liigas |title=Video: Ragnar Klavani debüüt Meistrite liigas |date=30 September 2009 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Video: Ragnar Klavan's debut in the Champions League}}</ref> He saw limited playing time under managers Ronald Koeman and Dick Advocaat, making only 11 league appearances in the 2009–10 season, before becoming a regular starter for AZ under Gertjan Verbeek. On 29 July 2010, Klavan scored his first goal for AZ in a 2–0 home win against IFK Göteborg in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/293646/klavan-loi-euroopa-liigas-varava |title=Klavan lõi Euroopa liigas värava |date=30 July 2010 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Klavan scored in the Europa League}}</ref> He scored the third goal in a 3–0 home victory over FC Eindhoven on 10 November 2010, in the fourth round of the KNVB Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/340178/video-ragnar-klavan-loi-az-alkmaari-voidumangus-iluvarava |title=Video: Ragnar Klavan lõi AZ Alkmaari võidumängus iluvärava |date=11 November 2010 |work=Postimees |language=et|trans-title=Video: Ragnar Klavan scored a stunning goal in AZ Alkmaar's victory}}</ref> On 27 October 2011, Klavan scored his side's second goal in the 3–2 extra time win against FC Dordrecht in the third round of the KNVB Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/6638/ragnar-klavan-sai-karikamangus-jala-valgeks |title=Ragnar Klavan sai karikamängus jala valgeks |date=27 October 2011 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan scored in a cup match}}</ref>
===FC Augsburg=== On 2 July 2012, Klavan signed a two-year contract with German club FC Augsburg for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/18562/ragnar-klavan-solmis-lepingu-bundesligas-mangiva-augsburgiga |title=Ragnar Klavan sõlmis lepingu Bundesligas mängiva Augsburgiga |date=2 July 2012 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan signed a contract with a Bundesliga club Augsburg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leping käes: Ragnar Klavan mängib uuel hooajal Bundesligas |url=https://sport.postimees.ee/894884/leping-kaes-ragnar-klavan-mangib-uuel-hooajal-bundesligas |work=Postimees |language=et |date=2 July 2012|trans-title=Contract signed: Ragnar Klavan to play in the Bundesliga in the coming season}}</ref> He made his debut in the Bundesliga on 14 September 2012, when he came on as a 67th-minute substitute for Matthias Ostrzolek in a 0–0 home draw against VfL Wolfsburg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/21575/ragnar-klavanist-sai-esimene-saksamaa-bundesligas-manginud-eestlane |title=Ragnar Klavanist sai esimene Saksamaa Bundesligas mänginud eestlane |date=14 September 2012 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan became the first Estonian to play in the German Bundesliga}}</ref> Klavan soon became a first team regular, establishing himself as a first choice centre back alongside Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker. He scored his first Bundesliga goal on 1 March 2014, in a 1–1 home draw against Hannover 96.<ref name="ERR Sport">{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/51040/ragnar-klavan-tegi-augsburgi-viigimangus-ajalugu |title=Ragnar Klavan tegi Augsburgi viigimängus ajalugu |date=1 March 2014 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan made history in Augsburg draw}}</ref> On 10 May 2014, Klavan scored in a 2–1 home victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.<ref name="ERR Sport"/>
On 8 February 2015, Klavan scored the opening goal in a 2–2 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/66139/klavan-loi-varava-kuid-augsburg-mangis-eduseisu-maha |title=Klavan lõi värava, kuid Augsburg mängis eduseisu maha |date=8 February 2015 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan scored, but Augsburg lost the lead}}</ref> Six days later, he scored in a 3–2 away loss to Werder Bremen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/66383/klavani-varav-augsburgi-ei-paastnud-bayern-kuttis-hamburgile-sauna |title=Klavani värav Augsburgi ei päästnud, Bayern küttis Hamburgile sauna |date=14 February 2015 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan's goal didn't save Augsburg, Bayern demolish Hamburg}}</ref> Klavan played every minute of the 2014–15 season as FC Augsburg finished fifth in the league, their highest position in history, and qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sport.err.ee/70657/klavan-labis-hooaja-minutitki-vahele-jatmata |title=Klavan läbis hooaja minutitki vahele jätmata |date=23 May 2015 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan went through the season without skipping a minute}}</ref>
===Liverpool=== [[File:Liver-SM 2017 Ragnar Klavan.jpg|thumb|upright|Klavan warming up for Liverpool in 2017]]
On 20 July 2016, Klavan signed a three-year contract with Premier League club Liverpool for a reported fee of £4.2 million (€5 million). The transfer fee of €5 million made him the most expensive Estonian footballer ever. The club confirmed that he would wear the number 17 shirt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ragnar Klavan: Liverpool sign Estonia defender from Augsburg |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36821977 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Klavan to Postimees: length of contract reveals Liverpool believes in me |url=http://news.postimees.ee/v2/3772677/klavan-to-postimees-length-of-contract-reveals-liverpool-believes-in-me|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808151748/http://news.postimees.ee/v2/3772677/klavan-to-postimees-length-of-contract-reveals-liverpool-believes-in-me|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2016 |work=Postimees |date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
Klavan made his debut in the Premier League on 14 August 2016, in a 4–3 victory over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |title=Võidukas debüüt: Klavan ja Liverpool seljatasid pöörases mängus Arsenali |url=http://sport.postimees.ee/3799455/voidukas-debuut-klavan-ja-liverpool-seljatasid-poorases-mangus-arsenali |work=Postimees |date=14 August 2016 |language=et|trans-title=Victorious debut: Klavan and Liverpool defeated Arsenal in a thrilling match}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Liverpool on 20 September 2016, in a 3–0 away victory over Derby County in the third round of the EFL Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37346111 |title=Derby County 0–3 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2016}}</ref> On 19 December 2016, Klavan was named man of the match for his performance in Liverpool's 1–0 victory in the derby match against Everton at Goodison Park.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38285256 |title=Everton 0–1 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2016}}</ref>
On 1 January 2018, Klavan became the first-ever Estonian player to score in the Premier League when he scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of injury time in a 2–1 away win against Burnley.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42411028 |title=Burnley 1–2 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Tim |last=Oscroft |date=1 January 2018}}</ref> He made eight appearances in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League and was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3–1 loss to Real Madrid in the final of the tournament.<ref>{{UEFA|62208}}</ref><ref name=2018UCL>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44258022 |title=Real Madrid 3–1 Liverpool |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>
===Cagliari=== On 17 August 2018, Klavan signed a two-year contract with Italian club Cagliari for a fee of £2 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ragnar Klavan: Liverpool defender joins Cagliari for £2m |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45220161 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2018}}</ref> He made his debut in the Serie A on 26 August, in a 2–2 home draw against Sassuolo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sport.err.ee/856326/klavan-ja-cagliari-jaid-dramaatilise-lopplahendusega-mangus-voidust-ilma |title=Klavan ja Cagliari jäid dramaatilise lõpplahendusega mängus võidust ilma |date=26 August 2018 |publisher=ERR Sport |language=et|trans-title=Klavan and Cagliari left without a win in a dramatic finish}}</ref> Klavan made a total of 61 appearances in Serie A over the span of three seasons.
=== Paide Linnameeskond === On 1 July 2021, Klavan signed for Estonian Meistriliiga club Paide Linnameeskond, returning to Estonia after 17 years abroad.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kallas |first1=Martti |title=ÜLLATUSPOMM: Ragnar Klavan liitus Paidega! |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/ullatuspomm-ragnar-klavan-liitus-paidega |publisher=soccernet.ee |date=2021-07-01}}</ref> He made his debut for the club in a 2–1 loss against Śląsk Wrocław in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying match<ref>{{cite web |title=LOE JÄRELE: Klavani eurosarja debüüt Paide eest lõppes kibeda kaotusega |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/loe-jarele-klavani-eurosarja-debuut-paide-eest-loppes-kibeda-kaotusega |website=Soccernet.ee |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=8 July 2021}}</ref> and his league debut ended 0–0 against the defending champion Flora on 31 July.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sport.err.ee/1608294267/klavaniga-paide-viigistas-koduvaljakul-fc-floraga|title=Klavaniga Paide viigistas koduväljakul FC Floraga|date=31 July 2021|website=ERR}}</ref> He scored two goals in the next game against his boyhood club Tulevik.<ref>{{cite web |title=VAATA JÄRELE: Klavan murdis oma sünnilinna südamed |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/vaata-jarele-klavan-murdis-oma-sunnilinna-sudamed |website=Soccernet.ee |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=7 August 2021}}</ref>
=== Tallinna Kalev === On 17 July 2023, Klavan signed for Estonian Meistriliiga club Tallinna Kalev. He joined the first team squad of the club, which he has been the president of since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ametlik: Ragnar Klavan ühines hooaja teiseks pooleks Kaleviga! |language=et |trans-title= Official: Ragnar Klavan joins the second half of the season for Kalev!|url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/ametlik-ragnar-klavan-uhines-hooaja-teiseks-pooleks-kaleviga|publisher=Soccernet.ee |date=17 July 2023}}</ref> Klavan made his last professional appearance in football on 30 November 2024, guiding Kalev to a 1–0 extra-time victory against Viimsi in the Meistriliiga relegation play-offs.
=== Retirement === On 10 December 2024, Klavan held a press conference to announce his retirement from professional football<ref>{{cite web |date=11 December 2024 |title=Ragnar Klavan announces retirement from football |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/ragnar-klavan-announces-retirement-football |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> and his candidacy for the presidency of the Estonian Football Association.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-10 |title=Ragnar Klavan announces retirement after 24 years of top-flight football |url=https://news.err.ee/1609547077/ragnar-klavan-announces-retirement-after-24-years-of-top-flight-football |access-date= |website=ERR |language=}}</ref> In an election held on 19 June 2025, Klavan received 34 votes and lost to the incumbent president Aivar Pohlak, who secured 68 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-06-19 |title=Eesti Jalgpalli Liidu presidendina jätkab Aivar Pohlak |trans-title=Aivar Pohlak continues as president of the Estonian Football Association |url=https://sport.err.ee/1609725219/eesti-jalgpalli-liidu-presidendina-jatkab-aivar-pohlak |access-date= |website=ERR |language=et}}</ref>
==International career== 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/15714148 |title=Republic of Ireland 1–1 Estonia (5–1 agg) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2008829--republic-of-ireland-vs-estonia/ |title=Ireland make sure with Estonia draw |publisher=UEFA |date=15 November 2011}}</ref>
On 29 February 2012, Klavan captained Estonia for the first time and scored in a 2–0 friendly victory over El Salvador.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eesti alustas aastat 2:0 võiduga El Salvadori üle |url=http://jalgpall.ee/koondis/uudised/eesti-alustas-aastat-20-voiduga-el-salvadori-ule-n3292 |publisher=Estonian Football Association |language=et |date=1 March 2012|trans-title=Estonia started the year with a 2–0 victory over El Salvador}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Centurion Klavan refuses to let Estonia dream die |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2013923--switzerland-vs-estonia/ |publisher=UEFA |date=27 March 2015}}</ref> Klavan has been named Estonian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.<ref name="ESBL"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Estonia – Player of the Year Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/estpoy.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jalgpall.ee/koondis/1/uudised/aasta-parim-meesjalgpallur-on-ragnar-klavan-n16761|title=Aasta parim meesjalgpallur on Ragnar Klavan|publisher=Estonian Football Association |date=15 December 2019|language=et|trans-title=Best men's player of the year is Ragnar Klavan}}</ref>
==Personal life== Klavan and his wife, Lili Orel, married on 10 June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ohtuleht.ee/430979 |title=Palju õnne: ka Ragnar Klavan sai sõrmuse sõrme |date=14 June 2011 |work=Õhtuleht |language=et|trans-title=Congratulations: Ragnar Klavan also gets a ring on his finger}}</ref> They have two sons, Romer and Ronan, and one daughter, Luna.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palju õnne! Ragnar Klavan sai kolmandat korda isaks|url=https://buduaar.tv3.ee/seltskonnauudised/palju-onne-ragnar-klavan-sai-kolmandat-korda-isaks|website=buduaar.tv3.ee|language=et |date=3 October 2019|access-date=25 December 2025|trans-title=Congratulations! Ragnar Klavan becomes father for the third time}}</ref>
In May 2016, Klavan became president of Estonian football club Tallinna Kalev.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ragnar Klavanist saab Tallinna Kalevi president |language=et|trans-title=Ragnar Klavan becomes the president of Tallinna Kalev |url=http://soccernet.ee/artikkel/ragnar-klavanist-saab-tallinna-kalevi-president |publisher=Soccernet.ee |date=2 May 2016}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-05-02 |title=Eesti punktid Eurovisioonil edastab sel aastal Ragnar Klavan |url=https://menu.err.ee/1608965572/eesti-punktid-eurovisioonil-edastab-sel-aastal-ragnar-klavan |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=err.ee |publisher=ERR |language=et}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="PremProfile"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Ragnar Klavan |url=http://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/player/4406 |publisher=Estonian Football Association |language=et}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=R. Klavan |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ragnar-klavan/2324 |publisher=Soccerway}}</ref><ref name="NFT">{{cite web |title=Klavan, Ragnar |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/2252/Ragnar_Klavan.html |website=National Football Teams}}</ref> |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup<ref group="lower-alpha">Includes Estonian Cup, Norwegian Cup, KNVB Cup, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Coppa Italia</ref> !colspan=2|League cup<ref group="lower-alpha">Includes EFL Cup</ref> !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Elva||2001||Esiliiga||25||5||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||27||5 |- |2002||Esiliiga||6||6||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||6 |- !colspan=2|Total!!31!!11!!2!!0!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!33!!11 |- |rowspan=3|Tulevik||2002||Meistriliiga||18||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||18||0 |- |2003||Meistriliiga||10||2||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||12||2 |- !colspan=2|Total!!28!!2!!2!!0!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!30!!2 |- |rowspan=3|Flora||2003||Meistriliiga||12||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||2<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL">Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League</ref>||0||0||0||15||1 |- |2004||Meistriliiga||16||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL"/>||0||0||0||18||1 |- !colspan=2|Total!!28!!2!!2!!0!!colspan=2|—!!3!!0!!0!!0!!33!!2 |- |rowspan=3|Vålerenga (loan)||2004||Tippeligaen||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2||0 |- |2005||Tippeligaen||0||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||2||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!2!!0!!2!!0!!colspan=2|—!!0!!0!!colspan=2|—!!4!!0 |- |rowspan=5|Heracles Almelo||2005–06||Eredivisie||15||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup play-offs</ref>||0||18||0 |- |2006–07||Eredivisie||32||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||1 |- |2007–08||Eredivisie||29||2||4||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||3 |- |2008–09||Eredivisie||19||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||20||1 |- !colspan=2|Total!!95!!4!!7!!1!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!2!!0!!104!!5 |- |AZ (loan)||2008–09||Eredivisie||12||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||0 |- |rowspan=4|AZ||2009–10||Eredivisie||11||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||1<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL"/>||0||0||0||13||0 |- |2010–11||Eredivisie||28||0||3||1||colspan=2|—||8<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL">Appearances in UEFA Europa League</ref>||1||colspan=2|—||39||2 |- |2011–12||Eredivisie||27||0||4||1||colspan=2|—||8<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL"/>||0||colspan=2|—||39||1 |- !colspan=2|Total!!78!!0!!9!!2!!colspan=2|—!!17!!1!!0!!0!!104!!3 |- |rowspan=5|FC Augsburg||2012–13||Bundesliga||30||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||32||0 |- |2013–14||Bundesliga||30||2||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||2 |- |2014–15||Bundesliga||34||2||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||35||2 |- |2015–16||Bundesliga||31||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||6<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UEL"/>||0||colspan=2|—||40||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!125!!4!!9!!0!!colspan=2|—!!6!!0!!colspan=2|—!!140!!4 |- |rowspan=3|Liverpool||2016–17||Premier League||20||0||1||0||4||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||25||1 |- |2017–18||Premier League||19||1||0||0||1||0||8<ref group="lower-alpha" name="UCL"/>||0||colspan=2|—||28||1 |- !colspan=2|Total!!39!!1!!1!!0!!5!!1!!8!!0!!colspan=2|—!!53!!2 |- |rowspan=4|Cagliari||2018–19||Serie A||15||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||15||0 |- |2019–20||Serie A||31||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||0 |- |2020–21||Serie A||15||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||16||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!62!!0!!3!!0!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!colspan=2|—!!64!!0 |- |rowspan=3|Paide Linnameeskond||2021||Meistriliiga||10||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||2 |- |2022||Meistriliiga||7||1||4||0||colspan=2|—||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League</ref>||0||colspan=2|—||12||1 |- !colspan=2|Total!!17!!3!!4!!0!!colspan=2|—!!1!!0!!colspan=2|—!!22!!3 |- !colspan=3|Career total!!504!!27!!41!!3!!5!!1!!35!!1!!2!!0!!587!!32 |}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
===International=== {| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="NFT"/><ref name="NT profile"/> |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="19"|Estonia |2003||5||0 |- |2004||12||0 |- |2005||8||0 |- |2006||6||1 |- |2007||11||0 |- |2008||10||0 |- |2009||10||0 |- |2010||4||0 |- |2011||9||0 |- |2012||8||1 |- |2013||7||0 |- |2014||9||1 |- |2015||9||0 |- |2016||8||0 |- |2017||6||0 |- |2018||3||0 |- |2019||2||0 |- |2022||2||0 |- |2024||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!130!!3 |}
:''Scores and results list Estonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Klavan goal''<ref name="NFT"/><ref name="NT profile">{{cite web |url=http://jalgpall.ee/koondis/koosseis/player/4406 |title=Ragnar Klavan |publisher=Estonian Football Association |language=et}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Ragnar Klavan |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Cap !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- |align="center"|1 |31 May 2006||A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia||align="center"|27||{{fb|NZL}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|1–1||Friendly |- |align="center"|2 |29 February 2012||Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United States||align="center"|76||{{fb|SLV}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|2–0||Friendly |- |align="center"|3 |26 May 2014||A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia||align="center"|92||{{fb|GIB}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|1–1||Friendly |}
==Honours== '''Flora''' *Meistriliiga: 2003<ref name="sw">{{cite web |title=R. Klavan|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ragnar-klavan/2324/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=Soccerway}}</ref>
'''AZ''' *Eredivisie: 2008–09<ref name="sw" />
'''Liverpool''' *UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2017–18<ref name=2018UCL/>
'''Paide Linnameeskond''' *Estonian Cup: 2021–22<ref>{{cite web |title=Ragnar Klavan: olla osa ajaloost on väga tore! |url=https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/ragnar-klavan-olla-osa-ajaloost-on-vaga-tore |date=21 May 2022 |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=soccernet.ee |language=et}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Estonian Footballer of the Year: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019<ref name="ESBL" />
==See also== *List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/ragnar-klavan Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website * {{EFA|4406}} * {{EFA2|210|old_id=4406}} * {{UEFA player}} * {{FIFA player}}
{{Estonian Footballer of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Klavan, Ragnar}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Viljandi Category:Estonian men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Esiliiga players Category:FC Elva players Category:Meistriliiga players Category:Viljandi JK Tulevik players Category:FC Flora players Category:Paide Linnameeskond players Category:Eliteserien players Category:Vålerenga Fotball players Category:Eredivisie players Category:Heracles Almelo players Category:AZ Alkmaar players Category:Bundesliga players Category:FC Augsburg players Category:Premier League players Category:Liverpool F.C. players Category:Serie A players Category:Cagliari Calcio players Category:Estonia men's youth international footballers Category:Estonia men's under-21 international footballers Category:Estonia men's international footballers Category:FIFA Men's Century Club Category:Estonian expatriate men's footballers Category:Estonian expatriate sportspeople in Norway Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway Category:Estonian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands Category:Estonian expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Estonian expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Estonian expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:21st-century Estonian sportsmen