Sigurdsson scores first Iceland goal in three years after return to football

17 October 2023 , 10:09

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Gylfi Sigurdsson scored his first goal for Iceland in three years (Image: AP)

Former Premier League midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored his first goal for Iceland in three years as they beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

Sigurdsson was called up by Age Hareide for this month's games against Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, having not featured for the national team since a 2-1 Nations League defeat by Denmark in November 2020. He made an appearance off the bench against Luxembourg on Friday, before starting against Liechtenstein on Monday.

It took him just 22 minutes to find the back of the net from the penalty spot, marking his first goal for Iceland since scoring in their 2-1 loss to Hungary in the final of the Euro 2020 qualifier play-offs.

Sigurdsson played for Tottenham, Swansea and Everton in the Premier League before being released by the Toffees in 2022 when his contract expired. He has since joined Danish club Lyngby Boldklub, signing a one-year deal.

"I hope that I can come in and contribute with a lot of experience and quality," he told the club's website. "I know that there are a lot of young and talented players in the team, and I really want (them) to learn from me so that we can lift ourselves up together.

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"I have heard about the good support we have, and I am very much looking forward to meeting the fans and not least playing in front of them." Lyngby's sporting director Nicas Kjeldsen added: "There is no doubt that we are incredibly proud and happy that today we can present Gylfi Sigurdsson as a Lyngby Boldklub player.

Sigurdsson joined Danish club Lyngby Boldklub in August (FrontzoneSport via Getty Images)

"Gylfi is a player from a shelf that we cannot normally bring players from. Gylfi has not played football in the past few years, which is why we will of course be patient with him. There is no doubt, however, that it is a huge profile that we have gained for Lyngby, and we are very proud of that."

He has since played two league games for his new club, with his debut against Vejle Boldklub last month being his first competitive match since Everton's 5-0 loss to Manchester City in May 2021.

"I think with Lyngby I may have trained fully 10-14 times," he added. "It has gone quickly. I know there is a long way to go and it will probably be a few months before I am in top form."

Matthew Cooper