Gylfi Sigurðsson facts for kids
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Gylfi with Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson | ||
| Date of birth | 8 September 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Reykjavík, Iceland | ||
| Height | 1.86 m | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Valur | ||
| Number | 23 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| – | FH | ||
| 2003–2005 | Breiðablik | ||
| 2005–2008 | Reading | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2010 | Reading | 42 | (18) |
| 2008 | → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 5 | (1) |
| 2009 | → Crewe Alexandra (loan) | 15 | (3) |
| 2010–2012 | TSG Hoffenheim | 36 | (9) |
| 2012 | → Swansea City (loan) | 18 | (7) |
| 2012–2014 | Tottenham Hotspur | 58 | (8) |
| 2014–2017 | Swansea City | 106 | (27) |
| 2017–2022 | Everton | 136 | (25) |
| 2023–2024 | Lyngby | 5 | (0) |
| 2024– | Valur | 19 | (11) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005 | Iceland U17 | 3 | (2) |
| 2006–2007 | Iceland U19 | 15 | (8) |
| 2007–2011 | Iceland U21 | 14 | (6) |
| 2010– | Iceland | 83 | (27) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson (born on 8 September 1989) is a professional footballer from Iceland. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the club Valur in Iceland and for the Iceland national team.
Gylfi started his professional journey with Reading in England. In 2010, he moved to TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. He was named Player of the Season for Reading in 2009–10 and for Hoffenheim in 2010–11. After playing for Swansea City, he joined Tottenham Hotspur.
In 2014, Gylfi returned to Swansea. Later, in 2017, he transferred to Everton for a club-record fee. After a break from football, he continued his career with Lyngby in Denmark and then Valur in Iceland.
Gylfi first played for Iceland in 2010. He helped his country reach their first major tournament, UEFA Euro 2016, where they made it to the quarter-finals. He also played in Iceland's first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2018. As of October 2024, Gylfi has played 83 games and scored 27 goals, making him Iceland's all-time top scorer.
Contents
Gylfi's Club Career Highlights
Starting with Reading
Gylfi was born in Reykjavík, Iceland. He played for local teams FH and Breiðablik as a young player. He joined Reading in England in 2005 as part of their academy. For three years, he played for their youth and reserve teams. In 2007, he signed his first professional contract.
Making His Mark: 2008–09 Season
Gylfi made his first team debut for Reading in the League Cup in August 2008. To get more experience, he was loaned to Shrewsbury Town in October. He scored in his first league game for Shrewsbury. He later joined Crewe Alexandra on loan, scoring three goals for them.
Becoming a Star: 2009–10 Season
Gylfi scored his first goal for Reading in August 2009. He played a big part in Reading's amazing 2009–10 FA Cup journey. They beat Premier League teams like Liverpool and Burnley. In January 2010, he scored a penalty against Liverpool, helping Reading win 2–1.
In March 2010, Gylfi won the Championship Player of the Month award. He scored five goals in six matches that month. At the end of the season, he was named Reading's Player of the Season. He finished the season with 20 goals in 44 games.
Moving to Germany: 2010–11 Season
Gylfi started the 2010–11 season with another goal for Reading. In August 2010, he transferred to 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany. This was Reading's biggest sale at the time. He made his debut for Hoffenheim in September 2010. He scored his first goal for them a week later with a free-kick. Gylfi was voted Hoffenheim's fans' Player of the Season in May 2011. He scored ten goals that season.
Loan to Swansea City
In January 2012, Gylfi joined Premier League club Swansea City on loan. He made his Premier League debut in January, helping Swansea win against Arsenal. He scored his first goal for Swansea in February against West Bromwich Albion. He scored two goals in a game against Wigan Athletic and another two against Fulham.
Because of his great performances, Gylfi was named the Premier League Player of the Month for March. He was the first Icelander to win this award. In 18 Premier League games for Swansea, he scored seven goals and made four assists.
Playing for Tottenham Hotspur
On 4 July 2012, Gylfi joined Tottenham Hotspur for about £8 million. He was the first player signed by the new Spurs manager, André Villas-Boas. He scored his first goal for Tottenham in a League Cup game in September.
In February 2013, Gylfi scored his first Premier League goal for Tottenham against West Ham United. In the next game, he helped set up a goal in a win against Arsenal. In the 2013–14 season, he scored two goals against Norwich City.
Returning to Swansea City
In July 2014, Gylfi returned to Swansea City. He said he was happy to be back with a club, manager, and fans he knew well. In the first game of the 2014–15 season, he helped Swansea beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. He continued his strong start with three more assists in his next two games.
In November 2014, Gylfi scored a fantastic free-kick against Arsenal. He signed a new four-year contract with Swansea in August 2016. He finished the 2016–17 season with 9 goals and 13 assists. These contributions helped Swansea avoid being moved to a lower league.
Time with Everton
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On 16 August 2017, Gylfi joined Everton for a club-record fee of £40 million. He scored his first goal for Everton eight days later in a UEFA Europa League game. In November 2017, he scored his first Premier League goal for Everton against Southampton. He ended the 2017–18 season with 6 goals and 5 assists.
Gylfi scored his first two goals in one game for Everton in September 2018 against Fulham. On 16 September 2020, he scored his 100th goal in English football. In February 2021, he scored a penalty against Liverpool, helping Everton win their first away game against their rivals since 1999. Gylfi left Everton in June 2022 when his contract ended.
Playing in Denmark and Back in Iceland
In August 2023, Gylfi joined Danish Superliga team Lyngby Boldklub. He made his debut in September, which was his first professional game in over two years. In January 2024, he left Lyngby by agreement.
On 14 March 2024, Gylfi signed a two-year contract with Valur in Iceland. This was his first time playing for an Icelandic top-tier team as a senior player. He made his debut on 1 April in the Icelandic Super Cup. Six days later, he scored in his first league game for Valur.
Gylfi's International Career
Youth Teams
Gylfi played for Iceland's under-17 and under-19 teams. He scored goals in the 2008 U19 European Championship qualifiers. In November 2007, he made his debut for Iceland's under-21 team. He later helped the U21 team reach the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Senior National Team
In May 2010, Gylfi played his first game for the senior Iceland national team. He helped set up a goal in a 4–0 win against Andorra.
On 13 October 2014, Gylfi scored two goals as Iceland beat the Netherlands in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match. In a later game, he scored the only goal to help Iceland win against the Netherlands again.
Gylfi was chosen to play for Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016. On 18 June, he scored Iceland's goal in a 1–1 draw against Hungary. In May 2018, Gylfi was part of Iceland's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He scored a penalty against Croatia, but Iceland lost and were eliminated.
Gylfi scored twice against Romania in October 2020. This helped Iceland get a spot in the play-offs for the UEFA Euro 2020 finals. After a break from the national team, Gylfi was called up again in October 2023. He scored two goals against Liechtenstein, reaching his 27th international goal. This made him Iceland's all-time top scorer!
Gylfi's Personal Life
In June 2019, Gylfi married Alexandra Ívarsdóttir. She was crowned Miss Iceland in 2008. They had been together since 2010. Gylfi is also the uncle of Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir, who plays for the Iceland women's national football team.
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Reading | 2008–09 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | Championship | 38 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 44 | 20 | |||
| 2010–11 | Championship | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 2 | |||
| Total | 42 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 51 | 22 | ||||
| Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 2008–09 | League Two | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Crewe Alexandra (loan) | 2008–09 | League One | 15 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 3 | ||||
| TSG Hoffenheim | 2010–11 | Bundesliga | 29 | 9 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 32 | 10 | |||
| 2011–12 | Bundesliga | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 36 | 9 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 39 | 10 | |||||
| Swansea City (loan) | 2011–12 | Premier League | 18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 7 | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2012–13 | Premier League | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | — | 48 | 7 | |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | — | 35 | 6 | ||
| Total | 58 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 3 | — | 83 | 13 | |||
| Swansea City | 2014–15 | Premier League | 32 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 35 | 9 | ||
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 36 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 11 | |||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 38 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 40 | 10 | |||
| Total | 106 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 112 | 30 | ||||
| Everton | 2017–18 | Premier League | 27 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 33 | 6 | |
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 38 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 14 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 38 | 3 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 36 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 44 | 8 | |||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 136 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | 156 | 31 | |||
| Lyngby | 2023–24 | Superliga | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | |||
| Total | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | |||||
| Valur | 2024 | Úrvalsdeild | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 5 | |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 5 | |||
| Career total | 428 | 103 | 25 | 9 | 19 | 8 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 499 | 124 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 2010 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 83 | 27 | |
- Scores and results list Iceland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gylfi goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 October 2011 | Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal | 6 |  Portugal |
3–5 | 3–5 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification |
| 2 | 12 October 2012 | Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania | 13 |  Albania |
2–1 | 2–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 22 March 2013 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia | 16 |  Slovenia |
1–1 | 2–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 2–1 | ||||||
| 5 | 11 October 2013 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 19 |  Cyprus |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 9 September 2014 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 25 |  Turkey |
2–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 7 | 10 October 2014 | Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia | 26 |  Latvia |
1–0 | 3–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 8 | 13 October 2014 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 27 |  Netherlands |
1–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 9 | 2–0 | ||||||
| 10 | 3 September 2015 | Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 31 | Netherlands |
1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 11 | 10 October 2015 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 33 | Latvia |
2–0 | 2–2 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 12 | 13 November 2015 | National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland | 35 |  Poland |
1–0 | 2–4 | Friendly |
| 13 | 1 June 2016 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | 38 |  Norway |
2–3 | 2–3 | Friendly |
| 14 | 18 June 2016 | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France | 41 |  Hungary |
1–0 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| 15 | 24 March 2017 | Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër, Albania | 49 |  Kosovo |
2–0 | 2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 16 | 5 September 2017 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 52 |  Ukraine |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 17 | 2–0 | ||||||
| 18 | 9 October 2017 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 54 | Kosovo |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 19 | 2 June 2018 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 56 | Norway |
2–1 | 2–3 | Friendly |
| 20 | 26 June 2018 | Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don, Russia | 60 |  Croatia |
1–1 | 1–2 | 2018 FIFA World Cup |
| 21 | 10 September 2019 | Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, Albania | 70 | Albania |
1–1 | 2–4 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 22 | 17 November 2019 | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova | 74 |  Moldova |
2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification |
| 23 | 8 October 2020 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 75 |  Romania |
1–0 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification playoffs |
| 24 | 2–0 | ||||||
| 25 | 12 November 2020 | Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary | 77 | Hungary |
1–0 | 1–2 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification playoffs |
| 26 | 16 October 2023 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | 80 |  Liechtenstein |
1–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualification |
| 27 | 3–0 |
Honours
Individual
- Premier League Player of the Month: March 2012
- Football League Championship Player of the Month: March 2010
- Reading Player of the Season: 2009–10
- Hoffenheim Player of the Season: 2010–11
- Icelandic Footballer of the Year: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Icelandic Sportsperson of the Year: 2013, 2016
- Swansea City Player of the Season: 2015–16, 2016–17
See also
In Spanish: Gylfi Sigurðsson para niños
