Earlier this month, the British Premier League football (soccer) club, the Bolton Wanderers signed a three and a half year contract with Icelandic defender Gretar Steinsson. The €4.6 million deal brought the 26-year old over from the Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.
“I’m just glad because I’ve been waiting a long time to come here,” Steinsson said. The defender has wanted to play in the Premier League all his life but failed to secure a contract with Bolton after a trial with the club in 2002.
Steinsson said Bolton player Heidar Helguson encouraged him to try again. “He told me I’d be crazy not to come,” Steinsson said. “I said to (Alkmaar) this is the club I want to play for, this is a big club for Icelandic players and it is the right time and opportunity for me in my career.”
Steinsson was born and grew up in Siglufjorfdur, a remote fishing town in northern Iceland. He was spotted playing soccer there and joined Akranes, the same team that produced Arnar Gunnlaugsson, another player for the Wanderers.
The young man’s career was dealt a serious setback when he suffered ligament damage in his knee. However, the Icelandic player has been quick to recover and is now playing again.