Klavan named Player of the Year
The Estonian Football Association named Augsburg's center-back and national team captain Ragnar Klavan the 2014 Player of the Year on Sunday evening. The women's title went to Kethy Õunpuu.
It is the second time the 29-year-old defender has won the title, beating Konstantin Vassiljev, the 2013 nominee, and Karol Mets.
"Individual titles have never been a motivation for me, but sometimes it is nice to know that your hard work is valued," said Klavan. "I thank everyone who voted for me and just like two years ago, I wish to thank all the coaches I've worked with, who have made my career what it is today. But I'd like to address the kindest words of gratitude to my family, for being there and always offering me support."
Klavan made his debut with the national team in 2003 at the age of 17. He became the first ever Estonian to play in the EUFA Champions League group stage, when he was substituted in for AZ Alkmaar in 2009.
Klavan is currently Estonia's highest valued player at 2.5 million euros. Last season he helped FC Augsburg, which he joined in summer 2012, to an eighth-place finish in the Bundesliga. The team is currently sixth with 18 points from 12 games.
Kethy Õunpuu, who captains the Estonia women's national team and club side FC Flora, was named the Female Player of the Year.
The Estonian League's most valuable player title went to Jevgeni Kabajev, who scored 36 goals for FC Sillamäe Kalev in the league, and women's expert leagues' title to Kairi Himanen of FC Pärnu.
Rauno Tutk of FC Tammeka took home the award for the Estonian League's best goal of 2014.
Karol Mets (FC Flora) and Ketlin Saar (FC Pärnu) were both named the Junior Player of the Year.