Stoke City: Eidur Gudjohnsen wants to make Stoke a "force to be reckoned with."
EIDUR Gudjohnsen wants to help Stoke become a "force to be reckoned with" in the Premier League after linking up with his new team-mates yesterday, writes Jon Owen.
The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker left Monaco to sign a 12-month contract on Tuesday in a deal believed to be worth around £2m.
The 31-year-old Iceland international now wants to cement Stoke's top-flight status.
"This is a club with big ambitions to go places and, hopefully, with my experience I can help Stoke become a force to be reckoned with," said Gudjohnsen.
"Stoke have finished 12th and 11th in their first two seasons in the Premier League – it is a club on the up.
"It would have been easy for me to sit on my contract at Monaco and enjoy the weather, but football is what matters most.
"There was interest from clubs around the world, but Stoke were the ones who pushed the hardest and that impressed me."
Gudjohnsen, who started life in England with Bolton in 1998 before being snapped by Chelsea for £4m two years later, has scored 94 goals in 369 career appearances.
His last spell in England came earlier this year on loan at Tottenham, where he netted two goals in 13 games.
Ironically, his last goal for the Londoners was during Spurs's 2-1 victory at the Britannia in March.
Gudjohnsen revealed Tottenham looked set to extend his spell at White Hart Lane at the end of the season, before interest from Harry Redknapp appeared to wane.
"There was some talk of the deal with Spurs being extended, but it died down and nothing materialised," added Gudjohnsen.
"But playing in the Premier League has always been my goal because it is the most exciting league.
"Joining Stoke is a great chance for me to be playing regular football."
Gudjohnsen could make his Stoke debut a week on Monday, when City entertain Aston Villa in front of the live television cameras.
"The plan is for me to use the time before the Villa game as a mini pre-season," added Gudjohnsen.
"I am a little bit behind fitness-wise and it might take me a few weeks to find my form.
"But I have kept myself in shape over the summer and feel sharp."
Gudjohnsen is the latest in a long line of Icelanders to pull on a Stoke shirt – the first of which were Toddy Orlygsson and Larus Sigurdsson in the mid-90s.
The club was taken over by an Icelandic consortium in 1999.
"Stoke are a club who have had connections with Iceland in the past and it's nice to be the latest person to play for the club," said Gudjohnsen.
"I was talking to Larus Sigurdsson in the summer, but not about the possibility of joining Stoke.
"I came here a few years ago with Chelsea when Stoke were in the Championship for an FA Cup game, and even then it wasn't an easy place to play.
"The fans make a huge noise and I'm looking forward to my debut."
Wilson: City move was easy decision: Page 42
6 Comments
by STEVE, BLURTON
Thursday, September 02 2010, 5:21PM
“I HOPE TONY WILL ACTUALLY PLAY THESE NEW PLAYERS,AND NOT SIT THEM ON THE SIDELINE ADMIRING THE VIEW.LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IN THE PAST.THEY COME HERE EXPECTING TO PLAY,SO LET THEM”
by LEN, LONGTON
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:44PM
“Bob, too true, look at Tuncay, which brings us back to the man management question!”
by Bob, Boslem
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:42PM
“It is an undisputed fact that the hardest guys to control are the best guys.
Leave the man alone, let him prove himself on the pitch!”
by Jeff, Essex
Thursday, September 02 2010, 2:58PM
“I think arrogance with a swagger makes a great player. Gudjohnsen is a great addition to the club. He is only 31 and just what Stoke need new blood new life and a new era”
by Kevin, Newcastle
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:47AM
“Or was he playing for Spurs last season? Whatever, the Stoke fans will bring him down to earth to get the best out of him”
by Kevin, Newcastle
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:36AM
“I am afraid Gudjohnsen is over confident and needs to be reigned in by the coaches at Stoke. I remember his comments on MOTD after scoring that fantastic goal at Stoke for Chelsea. He was arrogant and big headed and blew his own trumpet. Modesty is a virtue and we at Stoke can give any accolades befitting any more fantastic goals he may or may not score in his time at Stoke”