• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Liverpool academy product once dubbed 'The next Cafu' now runs a summer camp

Home> Football> Football News> Liverpool

Published 13:12 23 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Liverpool academy product once dubbed 'The next Cafu' now runs a summer camp

Former Liverpool full-back dubbed 'the next Cafu' was forced to retire, and now runs a summer camp.

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

An ex-England international and Liverpool academy product once dubbed as 'the next Cafu' and 'the Red Cafu' now runs a summer camp.

The former full-back is none other than Jon Flanagan, who was forced to retire due to a recurring knee injury at the age of just 29.

Flanagan came through the academy at Liverpool, going on to make 51 first-team appearances and score one goal, against Tottenham in a 5-0 thrashing.

His consistent displays for the club, particularly in the 2013/14 season, drew the attention of Brazil legend Cafu.

The World Cup-winning captain spoke to LFCTV in 2014: "I first started hearing about him by watching Premier League matches and observing his performance along with other players.

Advert

"I then started seeing some news saying he is the Red Cafu! So there's nothing better than coming to the city and taking a picture with my successor.

"He is a good player; still young and developing, but already gaining recognition at Liverpool and he might even have an opportunity with the English national team. He'll be a great English player in the future.

"He has speed, strength and determination. He's an athlete who goes after it and never gives it up. That's exactly what I used to do; there were no missing chances for me, no tiredness and no being dejected.

"I see that style in him too. I hope he continues that way and achieves as many trophies as I did."

Advert

Unfortunately, despite glowing praise from Cafu, Flanagan's career was plagued by injuries, as the defender was sidelined for 18 months shortly after his gaining his only England cap.

Flanagan was unlucky with injuries throughout his career, as he was forced to retire early. Image: Getty
Flanagan was unlucky with injuries throughout his career, as he was forced to retire early. Image: Getty

Flanagan later had loan spells at Burnley and Bolton, leaving his boyhood club for Rangers permanently in 2018.

The full-back would have stints in Belgium and Denmark too, but following knee surgery in 2022, he would announce his retirement.

Advert

He has since gone on to launch Jon Flanagan Elite Football Camps alongside ex-Liverpool team-mate Adam Morgan, with the football summer camp catering to kids aged four to 14.

Flanagan does have a UEFA coaching licence as well, hinting that a potential future in management is a possibility.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Cafu, Liverpool, Football, England

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Freelance football writer.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Liverpool's Transfer Priority for Next Summer Emerges as Fans Sent Into Meltdown
  • Liverpool and Man City go head-to-head for wonderkid dubbed 'the next Lionel Messi'
  • Man City's next big thing who is smashing it at academy level is son of Liverpool legend
  • Liverpool star 'to leave' club next summer as journalist drops transfer bombshell

Choose your content:

7 mins ago
10 mins ago
an hour ago
  • GettyGetty
    7 mins ago

    Nine Countries Have Refused to Play Russia in UEFA or FIFA Tournaments

    Nine countries have released official statements.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    10 mins ago

    Christian Eriksen Finally Finds New Club Months After Man Utd Departure

    Ex-Premier League midfielder Eriksen is set to return to action in a top European league

    Football
  • YouTube/The OverlapYouTube/The Overlap
    an hour ago

    Roy Keane And Ian Wright Agree on 'Easiest' Position to Play in Football

    Gary Neville didn't agree with the pair.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    an hour ago

    MOTD Presenter Mark Chapman Doesn't Use His Real Name on BBC

    Chapman has explained the reason behind his 'stage name'.

    Football