x

Thorsteinsson to Join Hermann's ÍBV - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands that released Blues midfielder or defender Gunnar Thorsteinsson is set to join Hermann Hreidarsson’s club ÍBV back in his native Iceland. Thorsteinsson was one of five Town players told he would not be offered a contract at the end of the season earlier in the week.

The 19-year-old is set to sign a two-year contract with the club where his father, Thorsteinn Gunnarsson, was a goalkeeper and where he was previously a youth player.

Ex-Blue Hreidarsson took over as manager at ÍBV, his local club where he played early in his career, in September last year.

The 38-year-old, who recently added his former Portsmouth team-mate David James to his squad, will be back playing at Pompey later this month when Thorsteinsson could make his first appearance for his nwe club.

ÍBV are at Fratton Park on Tuesday 16th April (7.45pm) to play in a fundraising friendly for the Pompey Supporters’ Trust, who are in the process of taking control of their club, a cause Hreidarsson backs: "The fans deserve better than what they have endured — it’s they who are the real tradition and history of Portsmouth Football Club.

"So it’s my privilege to play this very small part in helping them to effectively run their own club.

"If they get the chance, then the club will be run properly by people who care — and I think it’s rightfully theirs.

"Traditionally, football clubs are the property of money men. And other clubs — not just Pompey — are realising that is not always the correct or only way.

"If your heart is not in the club, then how can you care about it? Part of my heart will always remain at Fratton Park, where my abiding memory will be how special the fans were — and are — to me.”

Hermann plans to play in the game: "I will be registered as a player for ÍBV for the new season, which starts in May, to cover for suspensions and injuries, so I will be playing for sure.

"I’m really looking forward to it. I now have a manager who appreciates my full potential as a striker!”

Meanwhile, the Blues are amongst a number of British clubs understood to have watched another Icelander, 20-year-old centre-half Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson.

The U21 international is expected to be sent out on loan by Italian giants Juventus next season in order to gain first team experience.

What to read next:

U18 Premier League Cup Group Drawn
Town’s U18s have been grouped with Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and West Ham United in Group E of the U18 Premier League Cup.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Rutherford Joins Pompey
Former Ipswich Town Women’s attacking midfielder Ella Rutherford has joined fellow WSL2 side Portsmouth.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Muric's Serie A Loan Confirmed
Town keeper Aro Muric’s loan move to Serie A new boys Sassuolo has been confirmed.
Woodman: An Amazing Result
Bromley boss Andy Woodman hailed his side’s on-penalties victory over the Blues in round one of the Carabao Cup at Hayes Lane as “an amazing result” and one the League Two club shouldn’t underestimate.
Bromley 1-1 Ipswich Town (5-4 on Pens) - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s on-penalties Carabao Cup defeat at Bromley.
McKenna: I've Got One Or Two Roles in Mind For Akpom to Play More Often
Town manager Kieran McKenna has a couple of roles in mind for new signing Chuba Akpom to play more regularly, but says the 29-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan from Ajax on Sunday, is capable of operating in a wide variety of forward positions.
McKenna: Young Duo Continued How They've Been All Summer
Blues boss Kieran McKenna was pleased with young midfield duo Cameron Humphreys and Fin Barbrook, despite Town’s on-penalties Carabao Cup first round defeat at Bromley.
McKenna: We'll Review Our Process Around Shootouts
Boss Kieran McKenna says Town’s process around penalty shootouts will be reviewed, the Blues having exited three cup competitions on spot-kicks over the last year, this evening’s Carabao Cup first-round loss at League Two Bromley the latest.