Exclusive: Stefan Thordarson Aims to Infuse Preston North End with Icelandic Resilience
Icelandic international Stefan Thordarson brings Scandinavian resilience to Preston North End, aiming for success in the Championship after memorable victories on the international stage. Thordarson, from a football-centric family, embraces the challenge of English football, inspired by Iceland's hardworking mentality.
Image Credits: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
New boy Stefan Thordarson is hoping to bring a special slice of Scandinavian style to Preston North End.
A Taste of Success on the International Stage
The Icelandic international has already tasted memorable success as part of the triumphant Iceland team which famously beat England 1-0 at Wembley just before Euro 2024, and now the 25-year-old midfielder is hoping to make his mark in the Championship with the Lilywhites having fended off competition from a string of second tier clubs to secure his prized signature.
“It was brilliant playing against England, they’re absolutely brilliant footballers,” Thordarson told SportsBoom.com.
“You try and take everything from a game like that. The experience of playing against them, it’s made me want to achieve more in my career.”
“I want to achieve great things with Preston. I want us to go as high as possible this season and try and challenge for the play-offs.”
“Hopefully I can experience some great moments.”
Image Credits: TV Midvest
It’s not easy going from Iceland to playing in England, there’s so many players from around the world who want this.
Stefan Thordarson
Embracing the Challenge of the Championship
“This (the Championship) is a very tough league, you play so many games.”
“There’s only 32 games a season in the Danish League I’ve come from, so I’m looking forward to pressing myself in different circumstances.”
“Everything here in Preston is bigger than I’m used to back home in Silkeborg in Denmark, where I come from.”
“I’m just enjoying it at the moment, enjoying being at such a big club.”
The Stature of English Football
Thordarson, capped 25 times by his country, added: “It’s a big deal coming to play in England, it’s the biggest move for an Icelandic player, for sure.”
“I’m finding it brilliant and really enjoying it.”
“The mentality in Iceland is very good, we know that this (career) is not given.”
“We know that you really have to work hard for things.”
“But the culture of Icelandic people is to never give up, we’re always believing that we’re a much bigger nation than we really are.”
“The resilience and culture which has been built in the country is something really remarkable.”
“England, for Icelandic people, is even bigger than the Icelandic League itself.”
“People follow the English leagues more and come here (to England) for trips to watch English football. So I’m happy to here.”
“All the boys and staff have been very welcoming and willing to help me in this new environment, I’m really thankful for that.”
Football Runs Deep
Thordarson heralds from a family littered with footballers.
His father, Porour, was an Icelandic international goalkeeper, while his father’s brother was capped 72 times by Iceland, and Stefan’s great-grandfather, also called Porour, scored nine goals in 16 caps for his country.
“It’s fair to say football runs through the family.”
“My family is really excited for me and the whole family,” reflected Thordarson.
“They’re very proud of me and looking forward to coming over and watching the games.”
“I’m very privileged to have come from a family like that. I can always go to them and ask them about everything.”
“My dad’s brother played for Stoke City, so talking to him about living in England and how things worked was good for me.”
“I don’t know whether it’s easier for me, but having grown up in a footballing environment, I know what’s expected of me.”
“I know the footballing culture. My town, well it’s a huge footballing town – and Preston have had three Icelandic players from the town of 8,000 people.”
“You’re brought up in a culture where football is number one.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.