Former Liverpool full-back Vegard Heggem, forced into early retirement by injury, has opened a salmon fishing lodge in his native Norway. The 50-year-old, who played 20 times for Norway, spent five years at Anfield after joining from Rosenborg in 1998 as the first signing under the joint management of Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier.
From Anfield to Angling
Heggem made 61 appearances in his first two seasons, scoring twice in front of the Kop, but featured in only four more matches before leaving the club and retiring at age 28. Rather than moving into coaching or punditry, he pursued his passion for fishing.
Speaking to LFCTV in 2021, Heggem said: "When I moved away to play football, I started to think about what to do when my playing days were over. I've got a passion for fishing, in particular salmon fishing, so the idea of opening a fishing lodge seemed like a great idea. I can't imagine a better job now than being host for fishermen from all over the world that come here to hunt for Atlantic salmon."
Memories of Anfield
Despite his injury woes, Heggem looks back fondly on his time at Liverpool. His lodge, Aunan Lodge, is decorated with Reds memorabilia. He added: "There wasn't much I could have done differently. I was really unlucky with injuries. I did my very best to get back playing. I thought the club did everything they could to get me fit. But rather than be bitter or regretful about the games I didn't play, I'd rather appreciate those games that I did play. I've scored in front of the Kop, what more can you really ask for?"
Heggem scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in February 1999, and his second in a victory by the same scoreline against Bradford City in November 1999. He also holds a place in Liverpool history as the player substituted when Steven Gerrard made his debut off the bench in a 2-0 win over Blackburn in November 1998.
International Career
Heggem was part of the Norway squad at the 1998 World Cup, though he did not play as they reached the last 16. He is expected to watch England face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals.
