Former Tottenham and Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has joined a Europa Conference League club in the 35-year-old’s latest career move
Ex-Premier League midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has signed for a Europa Conference League club.
The Iceland international has been announced by his new club Vikingur Reykjavik, as the 35-year-old left fellow Icelandic club Valur.
Vikingur finished runners-up in Iceland’s top-flight last season, booking their place in the Europa Conference League. After progressing through three qualifying rounds, Vikingur caused a shock when they finished 19th in the league phase, ahead of the likes of Hearts and Istanbul Basaksehir, seeing them advance to the knockout play-off round.
Now, the club have put themselves on the verge of breaking new ground, with them leading Greek giants Panathinaikos 2-1 on aggregate after winning their home leg last week.
Vikingur have now added bags of quality and experience in Sigurdsson eight years after he made a £45million move to Everton.
Sigurdsson is joining a club like no other, former Vikingur favourite and ex-Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle, Aberdeen and Iceland defender Kari Arnason exclusively told the Daily Star Sport about the incredible feeling around the club and community.
“Walking around my old neighbourhood; everyone’s high fiving everyone – it’s brilliant,” Arnason said after Vikingur qualified for the European competition.
“I feel like our football club has become the centre hub of the neighbourhood. They turn up in masses now. I think the neighbourhood has about, 8000 people in it – and we have like 1000 people coming to every game.
“I mean, it’s a tall order for an Icelandic team making it to the Europa League or the Champions League because there’s some very strong teams there, especially in the later phases of both the Europa League and Champions League.
“So asking us to do that, I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s very difficult… although we are setting our sights on Europa League for next season.”
Vikingur’s second leg against Panathinaikos takes place on Thursday in Athens with a round of 16 tie against Fiorentina or Rapid Wien at stake.