Vegard Heggem was Liverpool's first signing of the Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier era but his career was cut short by injury - he went on to open a salmon fishing lodge back home
22:51, 10 Jul 2026
Vegard Heggem
Vegard Heggem runs a salmon fishing lodge(Image: Aunan Lodge)
A former Liverpool player established a fishing lodge following his early retirement from professional soccer.
Norwegian full-back Vegard Heggem spent five years on Merseyside after signing from Rosenborg in 1998. He became the inaugural acquisition under Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier's brief spell as joint-managers.
Heggem made a strong impression during his opening two campaigns, accumulating 61 appearances, before injury cruelly derailed his career. He participated in merely four additional fixtures before leaving the Reds and retiring from the sport aged just 28. Many soccer players in his situation would have moved into coaching or media work, but not Heggem, a keen angler. He followed that interest by creating his own salmon fishing lodge back in Norway.
Speaking to LFCTV in 2021, he 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."
Heggem (middle of bottom row) at Euro 2000 with Norway legends like Ole Gunnar Solskaer (bottom left) and Tore Andre Flo (bottom right)
Heggem (middle of bottom row) at Euro 2000 with Norway legends like Ole Gunnar Solskaer (bottom left) and Tore Andre Flo (bottom right)(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Despite his injury setbacks, Heggem retains fond memories of his time at Anfield, while his Aunan Lodge features Reds memorabilia throughout. He continued, "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?"
Vegard Heggem playing for Norway
Heggem playing for Norway(Image: Allsport)
Heggem found the net twice in front of the Kop, initially during a 3-1 win against Middlesbrough in February 1999. His second goal came in a victory over Bradford City in November that year.
The 50-year-old also occupies a special place in Liverpool history as the player substituted to allow Steven Gerrard to make his debut from the bench during a 2-0 win against Blackburn in November 1998.
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Vegard Heggem
He loves his new job after moving away from soccer(Image: Getty Images)
Heggem, who represented his nation on 20 occasions, will undoubtedly be watching intently when England face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. He was included in Norway's last World Cup squad in 1998, although he remained an unused substitute as they progressed to the last 16.
He did feature two years later at Euro 2000.