Johann Berg Gudmundsson
Last updated : 19 July 2016 By The Editor's Chair
Iceland international Johann Berg Gudmundsson has become Burnley's first signing of the summer.
The Clarets have closed in on their first summer signing after the former Charlton Athletic and Icelandic international dotted the "I's" and crossed the "T's".
Photo source: PA.
The fee is as usual undisclosed but it is understood Burnley's offer of £2.5million was accepted by the Addicks. Possible add-ons could see the final fee finish closer to £4 million.
Johann's strong Euro performance for Iceland coupled with an excellent showing in last season's Championship, made a move to a higher level almost inevitable.
Statistic wise, Gudmundsson finished top of the Championship's assists charts last season, despite Charlton being relegated to League One.
He played in every game in Iceland's fantastic run to the European Championship quarter-finals. He caught the eye once again in the unexpected and now famous victory over England.
In total, Gudmundsson played 445 minutes of Iceland's historic European Championship campaign. He returned home to Reykjavik following the Icelander's exit to France and took a short, well-earned holiday his arrival at Turf Moor.
Johann claims the family feel at Turf Moor was a significant factor in him deciding to join the Clarets on a three-year deal.
The winger enjoyed a successful UEFA Euro 2016 with Iceland, and cannot wait to get going in the Premier League with Burnley.
Speaking on Clarets Player HD he said, “It feels like a family club and like everyone is tight to each other.
“The atmosphere around the club is fantastic and playing against the team last season I saw just how good the club was, I definitely wanted to join.
“The team spirit in the Iceland team seems to be similar to here where everybody is working for each other and it’s a tight group.
“That’s what football is about, it’s a team sport and everyone works hard for one another here.”
Prior to joining the Addicks in 2014, Johann experienced a successful period at AZ Alkmaar in Holland, where he played in the UEFA Europa League.
This experience will no doubt help him to adapt to the rigours of the top tier of English football.
Johann added, “I’ve played in big games in the Europa League and with Iceland so that’s definitely going to help me when I play for the first time in the Premier League.
“Experience is everything and I have quite a bit of that so I’ll be fine I think.”
Welcome to Turf Moor Johann, I have a feeling all will work out really swell! (TEC).