Gudjohnsen proud to sign for AEK Athens

Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen said he felt "very flattered by the welcome" of the AEK Athens FC supporters after joining the Greek Cup winners on a two-year deal.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is Iceland's all-time leading goalscorer
Eidur Gudjohnsen is Iceland's all-time leading goalscorer ©AFP

AEK Athens FC have completed the signing of former Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen on a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old, who is Iceland's all-time leading scorer with 24 goals in 64 games, said he was looking forward to playing in a sixth European country after experiencing top-flight football in Iceland, the Netherlands, England, Spain and France.

"I am very flattered by the welcome I have received from the fans," Gudjohnsen, a free agent, told a media conference in the Greek capital. "AEK Athens is a challenge for me, a different path in my career. I want to play a big part in the club's history. I don't like making promises but I will proudly wear the shirt. I have played for big clubs and I can cope with the pressure."

After starting out at Valur Reykjavík, Gudjohnsen first made an impact as a 17-year-old at PSV Eindhoven as the Eredivisie side lifted the Dutch Cup in 1995/96 and the Dutch title the following term. He arrived at Bolton Wanderers FC in 1998 and two years later moved to Chelsea, where he won the English championship in each of the last two seasons of his six-year stay.

In 2006 Gudjohnsen signed for Barcelona and went on to help the Azulgrana clinch a UEFA Champions League, Liga and Copa del Rey treble in a memorable 2008/09 campaign. In the last two seasons he had six-month spells at AS Monaco FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Stoke City FC and Fulham FC.

AEK will appear in the UEFA Europa League play-off round as Greek Cup holders.