'I played for Liverpool and Norway at World Cup – then I opened salmon fishing lodge'

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A former Liverpool player built a fishing lodge following his premature retirement from the game. Norwegian full-back Vegard Heggem spent five years on Merseyside after joining from Rosenborg in 1998.

He was the first signing of Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier's short-lived reign as joint-managers. Heggem impressed during his first two seasons, racking up 61 appearances, before injury devastated his career.

He featured in just four further matches before departing the Reds and hanging up his boots at the age of 28. Many players in his position would have gravitated towards coaching or punditry but not Heggem, an avid fisherman.

He pursued that passion by establishing his own salmon fishing lodge in his homeland. He told LFCTV in 2021: "When I moved away to play football, I started to think about what to do when my playing days were over.

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"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."

Despite his fitness troubles, Heggem looks back on his spell at Anfield with affection, while his 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.

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"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 netted twice in front of the Kop, the first coming in a 3-1 triumph over Middlesbrough in February 1999. He also scored in a victory over Bradford City in November of the same year.

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The now 50-year-old also holds a place in Liverpool folklore as the player who made way for Steven Gerrard as he came off the bench to make his debut during a 2-0 victory over Blackburn in November 1998.

Heggem, who earned 20 caps for his country, will no doubt be glued to the screen when England and Norway go head-to-head in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. He was part of the last Norway squad to feature at a World Cup in 1998, though he remained unused as a substitute as they advanced to the last 16. He did get some game time two years later at Euro 2000.