Ragnar Klavan
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Well, we're signing names. Names I can barely pronounce and most definitely have never heard of.
These are my favourite types of signings.
Mine too.
After bone fida superstars, widely sought after young and upcoming potential superstars and established top drawer players.
And there may be more.
[article]
Liverpool favourites to sign Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and closing in on Estonian defender Ragnar Klavan
Liverpool have jumped to the head of the queue in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum and are confident they can strike a deal with Newcastle United this week for the coveted midfielder.
Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool coach, is also closing in on a centre-half having agreed an initial £3.5 million deal for the Estonian Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg.
After being frustrated in his attempt to lure Polish international midfielder Piotr Zielinski from Udinese, Klopp’s attentions have now switched to Wijnaldum.
The Dutch international is attracting the attention of several Premier League teams and it looks likely he will leave the North East rather than join Newcastle’s promotion push.
The 25-year-old moved to Newcastle only last summer for £14.5 million. Newcastle have set a fee of £27 million, but Liverpool are confident they can settle on a deal nearer to £20 million and there is some optimism on Merseyside that talks could advance significantly over the next few days.
Klopp’s side head to the United States on Thursday. Although he has already recruited four players, the German coach has made clear his desire to add more and he has the financial resources to do so.
Defender Klavan needs only to complete the formalities of his move from Bundesliga side Augsburg before heading to Merseyside this week. The 30-year-old featured in both Europa League fixtures against Liverpool last season, a tie Klopp’s side won 1-0 on aggregate. Klavan will be signed primarily as a back-up option – a direct replacement for the departed Kolo Touré.
Klopp is short of defenders heading into the new season, with Martin Skrtel sold to Fenerbahçe and both Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez suffering Achilles injuries. Joel Matip has been playing with a minor ankle injury in pre-season.
It is possible Klopp may even add another centre-back to act as an understudy, although that is more likely to be a youngster bought to develop alongside Gomez.
Klopp knows Klavan well from German football. The defender moved to Germany in 2012 and played well over 100 games for Augsburg. He previously played for AZ Alkmaar, where new Everton coach Ronald Koeman was among his former managers.
For the past three seasons, Klavan has been named Estonia’s player of the year, winning more than 100 international caps.
Liverpool have had problems agreeing a fee with Leicester City for Ben Chillwell. Left-back is another priority position with Alberto Moreno the only recognized senior player in the role.
Klopp’s pre-season schedule continued at Wigan Athletic on Sunday, with Philippe Coutinho making his first appearance of the summer.
Coutinho struck the bar and post during his 45 minutes of action in Liverpool’s 2-0 win Danny Ings and 16-year-old Ben Woodburn were the goalscorers.
Liverpool’s England and Belgium contingent, who featured in Euro 2016, will join the US tour, with Joe Allen and Emre Can the only late additions because Wales and Germany advanced to the semi-finals.
[/article]
Liverpool favourites to sign Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and closing in on Estonian defender Ragnar Klavan
Liverpool have jumped to the head of the queue in the race to sign Georginio Wijnaldum and are confident they can strike a deal with Newcastle United this week for the coveted midfielder.
Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool coach, is also closing in on a centre-half having agreed an initial £3.5 million deal for the Estonian Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg.
After being frustrated in his attempt to lure Polish international midfielder Piotr Zielinski from Udinese, Klopp’s attentions have now switched to Wijnaldum.
The Dutch international is attracting the attention of several Premier League teams and it looks likely he will leave the North East rather than join Newcastle’s promotion push.
The 25-year-old moved to Newcastle only last summer for £14.5 million. Newcastle have set a fee of £27 million, but Liverpool are confident they can settle on a deal nearer to £20 million and there is some optimism on Merseyside that talks could advance significantly over the next few days.
Klopp’s side head to the United States on Thursday. Although he has already recruited four players, the German coach has made clear his desire to add more and he has the financial resources to do so.
Defender Klavan needs only to complete the formalities of his move from Bundesliga side Augsburg before heading to Merseyside this week. The 30-year-old featured in both Europa League fixtures against Liverpool last season, a tie Klopp’s side won 1-0 on aggregate. Klavan will be signed primarily as a back-up option – a direct replacement for the departed Kolo Touré.
Klopp is short of defenders heading into the new season, with Martin Skrtel sold to Fenerbahçe and both Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez suffering Achilles injuries. Joel Matip has been playing with a minor ankle injury in pre-season.
It is possible Klopp may even add another centre-back to act as an understudy, although that is more likely to be a youngster bought to develop alongside Gomez.
Klopp knows Klavan well from German football. The defender moved to Germany in 2012 and played well over 100 games for Augsburg. He previously played for AZ Alkmaar, where new Everton coach Ronald Koeman was among his former managers.
For the past three seasons, Klavan has been named Estonia’s player of the year, winning more than 100 international caps.
Liverpool have had problems agreeing a fee with Leicester City for Ben Chillwell. Left-back is another priority position with Alberto Moreno the only recognized senior player in the role.
Klopp’s pre-season schedule continued at Wigan Athletic on Sunday, with Philippe Coutinho making his first appearance of the summer.
Coutinho struck the bar and post during his 45 minutes of action in Liverpool’s 2-0 win Danny Ings and 16-year-old Ben Woodburn were the goalscorers.
Liverpool’s England and Belgium contingent, who featured in Euro 2016, will join the US tour, with Joe Allen and Emre Can the only late additions because Wales and Germany advanced to the semi-finals.
[/article]
Not Edge of my seat... But if he can defend set pieces I will grab him with both hands!!!
Whoooooooooo? If he's a decent enough back up then great.
Is brother Cliff is no slouch either.
Ragnar is quite an impressive name. Not exactly 'big' being only 6 letters but nevertheless it's impressive.
If anyone still doubts Klopp is in charge of transfers, this should put it to rest. Clearly can see the manager's logic here: a player he knows well from Germany, not a star, but dependable, not injury-prone and with great understanding of tactics (I read a story about Van Gaal back in Holland asking Ragnar lots of detailed questions about LVG's own team's tactics and signing him immediately because he was so impressed with his knowledge), able to fill in at LB, strong and tall enough for the EPL, willing to come here to be 3rd of 4th choice. Checks all the boxes – here's £4.2M, done! No messing around or back-and-forth with the committee.
Ragnar is indeed an awesome name. Suitable for dragon or a viking.
Ragnar is indeed an awesome name. Suitable for dragon or a viking.
Last edited:
I think your spellcheck has a problem with Ragnar !
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...-all-you-need-to-know-about-liverpools-lates/
[article]Ragnar Klavan, the little-known 30-year old Estonian footballer that Liverpool this weekend signed for €5million from FC Augsburg has established a reputation as a tough-tackling centre-back, and Jurgen Klopp will expect him to help shore up Liverpool's leaky defence.
Powerfully built, standing 6 ft 1 in tall and dominant in the air, Klavan is solid in the tackle as well as being exceptionally reliable: on average last season he made less than one four per match, and picked up just two bookings. Although he has played almost exclusively as a centre-back for his current club, FC Augsburg, he is also capable of playing as a left-sided full-back, and is efficient in bringing the ball out of defence.
His signature represents a good piece of business for Klopp, who knows the player well from his Bundesliga days. With Joe Gomez and Mamadou Sakho both likely to miss the start of the season with achilles injuries, Tiago Illori set to feature at Rio 2016, and Martin Skrtel moving to Fenerbahce, Klavan won't have to wait long for his chance to impress.
Klavan actually began his career in midfield. Following in the footsteps of his father, Dzintar, who also represented the Estonian national team, Klavan began life as something of an advanced playmaker, and has since admitted that Zinedine Zidane was his childhood hero.
In his early days as a professional footballer he started dating Lenna Kuurmaa, a popstar who was part of the popular girl band Vanilla Ninja (what do you mean you've never heard of them?!) leading to the Estonian press quickly dubbing them — you guessed it — 'Posh and Becks'.
But the relationship didn't last, and the media quickly stopped labelling Klavan as the 'Beckham of Estonian football' when he began his conversion into a defender. Initially moved to left-back, where he played for the Dutch club Heracles Almelo, Klavan began playing a central defender after a 2009 switch to Eredivisie rivals AZ Alkmaar.
Klavan became the first Estonian to play in UEFA Champions League group stage at AZ, but found himself unable to turn down a move to the Bundesliga in 2012, when FC Augsburg came calling. He's also a three time Estonian player of the year, don't you know.
Although far from a household name in the UK, Augsburg could be the Bundesliga's answer to Leicester City. Minnows for much of their 108-year history, in the early 2000s they suffered relegation to German football's fourth division, before an unlikely surge up the football ladder resulted in the club winning promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time, in 2011. By 2015, they had qualified for the Europa League.
Klavan was one of the players who helped Augsburg reach the next level. He became a stalwart in their rugged defence quickly after joining, with only Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Schalke, Leverkusen and Mönchengladbach boasting a better defensive record in his first season in Germany. A year later, he played in every single minute of the club's greatest ever campaign, as they finished fifth in the table.
Liverpool supporters will be delighted to know that, not only is Klavan a solid defender with European pedigree, but that he also has a history in mugging Everton off.
Everton were sniffing around the defender in 2015, and Klavan's agent confirmed their interest to the German press, before cryptically adding: "You have to know that it is his dream to play in the Premier League once." Kicker then reported that the two parties had opened negotiations, only for Klavan to very publicly reject a move to Merseyside, citing Everton's lack of European football as a major factor in his decision. What a tease.
Klavan could have ended up in the Premier League much earlier though, with Sunderland offering the player a trial when he was still a teenager plying his trade at the mighty Viljandi JK Tulevik. But things didn't work out, and it would take Klavan over a decade to finally seize his chance to play in England.
The story goes that, whilst still playing as a left-back for Heracles Almelo, Louis van Gaal — then manager of AZ — invited Klavan into his office. He proceeded to ask Klavan about the many intricacies of AZ's tactical system, which the defender passed with flying colours. Impressed, van Gaal signed him on the spot.
But LVG hasn't always been a fan of the big defender. Shortly after failing to impress at Sunderland, Klavan found himself attempting on a trial at Dutch giants Ajax. Danny Blind liked the look of the youngster, only for van Gaal, who was Ajax's Technical Director at the time, to veto the move. [/article]
Has a Sami Hyppia feel to it, as a signing.
Edit: I don't swear online, but F-ing hell. @King Binny is baaaack..
Edit: I don't swear online, but F-ing hell. @King Binny is baaaack..
Considering centre backs can go on to 34 / 35 odd, this could be a smart piece of business
(Also not a bad addition to the Best Looking 11 Project)
(Also not a bad addition to the Best Looking 11 Project)
Dated 2014
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/11/estonia-england-ragnar-klavan-louis-van-gaal
[article]Back in January 2009 Louis van Gaal invited Ragnar Klavan to his office, handed him a pen and a whiteboard and asked him to explain AZ Alkmaar’s tactical system. The Estonian apparently passed the test with flying colours and was duly signed by the coach from Heracles Almelo. He immediately made his way into the starting line-up and was instrumental in winning the historic Eredivisie title four months later.
One might say that Klavan is lucky enough not having to draw the defensive scheme of Manchester United these days, given few people have got a clue about it yet. As a matter of fact, Van Gaal could probably use the calmness and game-reading skills of the sure-footed Estonia captain, who will lead his side against England on Sunday and is fast becoming the most successful player in his country’s history.
The 28-year-old centre-back is not a household name but he has been quietly impressing in the Bundesliga for two years, playing extraordinarily well at unfashionable Augsburg. Klavan has always dreamt of joining the Premier League, even though United are not his preferred destination. He is an Arsenal fan through and through, and they could have a good look at him today in Tallinn. “If Arsène Wenger calls, I will go immediately,” Klavan recently told an Estonian newspaper.
Klavan could have ended up in England a decade ago when Sunderland were interested in the Estonian prodigy, even though his most intriguing trial was at Ajax. Danny Blind wanted to sign him but Van Gaal, who served as a technical director at the Dutch club then, was the one who vetoed the move. Klavan also spent time training at Feyenoord, while the PSV coach Guus Hiddink made a trip to Tallinn to watch him playing for the national team but nothing materialized. Klavan eventually signed for newly promoted Heracles in 2005 and in retrospect it was the best option.
Back then Klavan did not really know what his ideal position was and he actually started as a midfield player, just like his father Dzintar who played 19 times for Estonia in mid-90s. His role model was Zinedine Zidane and he still keeps his France shirt in his wardrobe.
At 19 Klavan was compared to David Beckham in his homeland – not for footballing talents but because he dated one of the most popular young singers in Estonia. Lenna Kuurmaa was part of the Vanilla Ninja girl band, a local answer to Spice Girls, and the pair were subsequently nicknamed Posh and Becks. The romance did not last too long and Klavan is happily married to Lili now.
The youngster made his debut for the national team at the age of 17 but it soon became evident that his technical skills did not resemble those of Zidane. He was even less talented than his father as a midfielder and moving to left-back was a natural solution, even though Klavan still liked to roam forward whenever possible. “I am an attacking full-back,” he said after signing for Heracles.
He played in that position for Estonia until 2012 but switching to central defence at Alkmaar proved to be a huge success and that is where Klavan finally fulfilled his potential.
Estonian journalists and fans alike were sceptical about his chances of making a name for himself in Germany following the move to Augsburg in the summer of 2012, but his progress exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. The defender fitted instantly into the tactical plan of the brilliant young coach Markus Weinzierl and he never looked back.
Klavan became the ultimate stalwart at Augsburg and his self-confidence played a crucial role in the team’s fortunes. When the Bavarians were bottom at the winter break of 2012-13 season, 10 points from safety and staring relegation in the face, the Estonian told Augsburger Allgemeine: “Most fans would gladly settle for a 16th-place finish and go to playoffs but I think we should finish at least 15th. I am optimistic that we can do it.”
Sure enough Augsburg won 24 points in their next 17 games and were safe in 15th place. “He is a positive guy in every way,” Weinzierl said.
Augsburg have been outstanding ever since, having a phenomenal season by their standards in 2013-14 and even flirting with Europa League qualification – Mainz took that spot finishing one point ahead of them – in a side based on defensive solidity. Only Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach had a better defensive record.
Klavan was a starting player when Estonia reached the play-offs in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, eventually thrashed by the Republic of Ireland, but now his status within the team is different. He is the captain, the most experienced figure and the leader, while the tournament has been enlarged to 24 teams. After winning 1-0 against Slovenia last month, Estonia have a fighting chance despite Thursday’s 1-0 defeat by Lithuania. “Our goal is to qualify, otherwise there would be no point of taking part in the competitionat all,” he says.[/article]
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/11/estonia-england-ragnar-klavan-louis-van-gaal
[article]Back in January 2009 Louis van Gaal invited Ragnar Klavan to his office, handed him a pen and a whiteboard and asked him to explain AZ Alkmaar’s tactical system. The Estonian apparently passed the test with flying colours and was duly signed by the coach from Heracles Almelo. He immediately made his way into the starting line-up and was instrumental in winning the historic Eredivisie title four months later.
One might say that Klavan is lucky enough not having to draw the defensive scheme of Manchester United these days, given few people have got a clue about it yet. As a matter of fact, Van Gaal could probably use the calmness and game-reading skills of the sure-footed Estonia captain, who will lead his side against England on Sunday and is fast becoming the most successful player in his country’s history.
The 28-year-old centre-back is not a household name but he has been quietly impressing in the Bundesliga for two years, playing extraordinarily well at unfashionable Augsburg. Klavan has always dreamt of joining the Premier League, even though United are not his preferred destination. He is an Arsenal fan through and through, and they could have a good look at him today in Tallinn. “If Arsène Wenger calls, I will go immediately,” Klavan recently told an Estonian newspaper.
Klavan could have ended up in England a decade ago when Sunderland were interested in the Estonian prodigy, even though his most intriguing trial was at Ajax. Danny Blind wanted to sign him but Van Gaal, who served as a technical director at the Dutch club then, was the one who vetoed the move. Klavan also spent time training at Feyenoord, while the PSV coach Guus Hiddink made a trip to Tallinn to watch him playing for the national team but nothing materialized. Klavan eventually signed for newly promoted Heracles in 2005 and in retrospect it was the best option.
Back then Klavan did not really know what his ideal position was and he actually started as a midfield player, just like his father Dzintar who played 19 times for Estonia in mid-90s. His role model was Zinedine Zidane and he still keeps his France shirt in his wardrobe.
At 19 Klavan was compared to David Beckham in his homeland – not for footballing talents but because he dated one of the most popular young singers in Estonia. Lenna Kuurmaa was part of the Vanilla Ninja girl band, a local answer to Spice Girls, and the pair were subsequently nicknamed Posh and Becks. The romance did not last too long and Klavan is happily married to Lili now.
The youngster made his debut for the national team at the age of 17 but it soon became evident that his technical skills did not resemble those of Zidane. He was even less talented than his father as a midfielder and moving to left-back was a natural solution, even though Klavan still liked to roam forward whenever possible. “I am an attacking full-back,” he said after signing for Heracles.
He played in that position for Estonia until 2012 but switching to central defence at Alkmaar proved to be a huge success and that is where Klavan finally fulfilled his potential.
Estonian journalists and fans alike were sceptical about his chances of making a name for himself in Germany following the move to Augsburg in the summer of 2012, but his progress exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. The defender fitted instantly into the tactical plan of the brilliant young coach Markus Weinzierl and he never looked back.
Klavan became the ultimate stalwart at Augsburg and his self-confidence played a crucial role in the team’s fortunes. When the Bavarians were bottom at the winter break of 2012-13 season, 10 points from safety and staring relegation in the face, the Estonian told Augsburger Allgemeine: “Most fans would gladly settle for a 16th-place finish and go to playoffs but I think we should finish at least 15th. I am optimistic that we can do it.”
Sure enough Augsburg won 24 points in their next 17 games and were safe in 15th place. “He is a positive guy in every way,” Weinzierl said.
Augsburg have been outstanding ever since, having a phenomenal season by their standards in 2013-14 and even flirting with Europa League qualification – Mainz took that spot finishing one point ahead of them – in a side based on defensive solidity. Only Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach had a better defensive record.
Klavan was a starting player when Estonia reached the play-offs in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, eventually thrashed by the Republic of Ireland, but now his status within the team is different. He is the captain, the most experienced figure and the leader, while the tournament has been enlarged to 24 teams. After winning 1-0 against Slovenia last month, Estonia have a fighting chance despite Thursday’s 1-0 defeat by Lithuania. “Our goal is to qualify, otherwise there would be no point of taking part in the competitionat all,” he says.[/article]
Less than £5m on a 30 year old back-up defender signed because of two injuries.
I'm not sure what's "balls out" about it.
Yeah, which explains his "This is either genius or shite" second sentence.
Misplaced sarcasm and poorly identified irony in one post.
Great work.
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