Hermann Hreiðarsson

Hermann Hreiðarsson (born July 11, 1974 in Reykjavik) is an Icelandic football player.

Related Topics:
July 11 - 1974 - Reykjavik - Iceland - Football

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Hermann Hreiðarsson was playing for Brentford, many Bees fans could not believe that a footballer of his calibre was playing in the lower divisions. Hreiðarsson had joined the then-Third Division club for a fee of £750,000 in August 1998 - a record for that division. The Bees won the championship that season.

Related Topics:
Brentford - 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was snapped up by Wimbledon in a deal worth £2.5million in October 1999. Hreiðarsson, who began his British football career at Crystal Palace before moving to Griffin Park, was unable to help prevent the Dons being relegated from the top flight in 1999/2000, and a £4.5million move saw him become newly-promoted Ipswich Town's record signing.

Related Topics:
Wimbledon - 1999 - Crystal Palace - Griffin Park - Ipswich Town

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His speed and knack for timely interceptions make him more than able to deal with most opponents, while some manic dashes upfield - usually involving going round several players - keep the fans entertained. An excellent signing by George Burley. Ipswich finished fifth in the club's first season back among the elite, but 12 months later there was a complete reversal of fortunes and they were relegated. With relegation comes the inevitable sell-off of the stars, but Hreiðarsson turned down a move to newly promoted West Brom at the start of the 2002/03 campaign - reportedly due to the Baggies offering him vastly reduced wages.

Related Topics:
George Burley - Relegation - West Brom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Iceland international did, however, move on at the end of March 2003, to Charlton Athletic. He signed a three-and-a-half year contract, with the Addicks paying £800,000, plus a further £100,000 if they were not relegated in the 2003/04 season.

Related Topics:
Iceland international - 2003 - Charlton Athletic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hreiðarsson played 128 games for Ipswich Town. He was able to move to Addicks outside the Premiership's transfer window as Ipswich were in temporary administration, although he would not be eligible to play for the club for the remainder of the season.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hreiðarsson proved to be a rock for Charlton after making his debut in a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City. He would miss only five games in his debut season.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Inventively nicknamed The Hermannator, he is married to fellow Icelander Ragna Lóa Stefánsdóttir, herself a former football player.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~