'I used to be Liverpool prodigy - now I'm a fisherman in Norway'

After retiring from football at just 28 years old, Vegard Heggem decided to hang up his cleats for good and dust off a fishing rod.

From 1998-2001, Heggem made 54 appearances for Liverpool and netted three goals after coming to Anfield from Rosenborg. The right back made an immediate impact with The Reds in his debut season with the club, starting 33 games and scoring on an incredible run against Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance with Liverpool, hamstring injuries would soon derail Heggem’s promising career. He made just three appearances from 2000-2003, with his boss Gerard Houllier conceding in March of 2003: "I'm not sure if Vegard will be able to play top-class football again.'

• Conor Bradley sent clear advice amid lack of opportunities under Arne Slot at Liverpool

• 'I know Liverpool has been watching me - I am not ruling out making January transfer'

“I feel very sorry for him. He was my first signing for Liverpool when I was joint manager with Roy Evans. He had the potential to be a very good player and he is a particularly nice guy.''

Once his contract expired in the summer of that year, Heggem decided to walk away from Liverpool and football entirely. In search of what to do next with his life, the Trondheim, Norway native returned close to home and pursued Atlantic salmon fishing.

“When I moved away to play football, I started to think about what to do when my playing days were over,” he divulged in an episode of the LFCTV series ‘Added Time.’ “I’ve got a passion for fishing, in particular salmon fishing, so the idea of opening a fishing lodge seemed like a great idea.”

Heggem grew up on a farm that was located alongside the Orkla, which is known by locals as one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in all of Norway. Following his departure from Anfield, he founded the Aunan Lodge and negotiated a collection of fishing rights with his neighbors.

“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,” he said.

The Aunan Lodge enjoyed 17 seasons of successful business, with Heggem assuming the role of a tourist host. Visitors who stayed at the cabin were not only treated to a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience but were also shown a collection of Liverpool memorabilia.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher makes surprise Erik ten Hag admission as Man Utd owners slammed

READ MORE: Curtis Jones made classy gesture to Vitezslav Jaros during surprise Liverpool debut

In September 2020, the Aunan Lodge was discontinued and replaced by the Grindal Salmon Lodge. Two years later, Heggem sold the property for a reported NOK 15.8 million (€1.6 million).

Heggem actively serves as a consultant on wild Atlantic salmon management and conservation. Despite watching his football career come to a premature end, he has nothing but good things to say about his time with The Reds.

“There wasn’t much I could have done differently,” he conceded. “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?”