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Icelandic Keeper to Sign - Ipswich Town News

Town are set to sign 16-year-old Icelandic goalkeeper Óskar Pétursson on a two-year Academy scholarship. The Blues are also tracking a number of other Icelanders, including highly-rated midfielder Björn Orri Hermannsson.

Pétursson is considered the most promising keeper in northern Europe and has interested a number of English clubs, spending time on trial at Wolves earlier this season.

The U17 international made the bench for his current club Grindavik at the age of 15 and is regarded as a future Iceland full cap.

Academy recruitment officer Malcolm Moore has been in Iceland this week to complete the signing and also to discuss a possible tie-up between Town and Grindavik.

The Blues are also very keen to sign Icelandic U17 international midfielder Björn Orri Hermannsson, who plays for Fylkir. Hermannsson is another much-admired prospect, with German side Borussia Dortmund amongst those watching his progress.

Breiðablik striker Viktor Unnar Illugason is another player interesting Town scouts. The 15-year-old recently impressed when playing for the Academy U16 side against West Ham and has been asked back for a second spell. Chelsea have also been linked.

The Academy has been looking at Iceland as a source of young players for a couple of years now, former education officer Paul Bartlett having forged a close relationship with Fylkir in particular.

The Blues are also regulars at the Rey Cup, an U14 tournament played each year in Reykjavik, former Town player Hermann Hreidarsson helping to fund last season's trip.

In the summer of 2004, Fylkir striker Eyjólfur Héðinsson had a trial with the Academy, while 15-year-old Runólfur Sigmundsson, another Fylkir player, spent time at Playford Road in October.

Iceland isn't the only country Town are scouring for potential Academy players, TWTD recently revealing that Hungarian U16 international Zoltan Stieber was on trial at Playford Road. The Újpest midfielder did enough to be asked back for a second spell.

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