Stefan Thordarson from Preston has an extraordinary football background.
This midfielder is part of a family with an impressive count of TEN international players.
As this Icelandic footballer gets ready to play against Premier League giants Aston Villa at Deepdale this Sunday, he commented: “In my family, it’s like you get a football as soon as you`re born!”
“It seems almost everyone I am related to has represented Iceland!”
Thordarson, aged 26, has earned 28 caps for his country, including playing in the 1-0 victory over England at Wembley last June.
His father Thordur, his uncle Stefan (who played for Stoke), great-uncles Olafur and Teitur, and great-grandfather Thordur have all played for their national team.
But the football lineage extends further.
Through his great-great-grandmother, he is related to Petur Petursson, a former Icelandic star who played for Feyenoord, Anderlecht, and Royal Antwerp.
Additionally, through his great-grandmother, he is related to Arni Sveinsson, Sveinn Teitsson, and Sigursteinn Gislason – all of whom have been capped by their nation.
Lastly, while not selected for Iceland, his older brother Thordur Thorsteinn Thordarson has played professionally in Iceland`s top league, and his cousin Oliver Stefansson currently plays for the Swedish team IFK Norrkoping.
In total, his family members have accumulated 299 caps and scored 42 goals for Iceland, with one goal credited to Thordarson himself.
Thordarson mentioned: “I’m lucky to have a family that understands the life of a footballer and they have been a great support.”
“The most influential is my dad, who was a goalkeeper in Iceland and also spent two years in Sweden with IFK Norrkoping.”
“Then there’s my uncle Stefan, who I’m named after. He was a striker for Stoke from 2000 to 2002.”
“My middle name, Teitur, comes from my great-uncle. He played for Lens and Cannes in France.”
“He was a prolific scorer, netting 19 goals for Lens in the 1981-82 season, just three behind Michel Platini, who was playing for Saint-Etienne that year.”
“Teitur also coached the Estonian national team and managed numerous teams in Norway and Iceland, as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada. I admire him greatly.”
“Going further back, there’s my great-grandfather Thordur, who was in the Iceland team for their first official competitive match against France, during the 1958 World Cup qualifiers.”
Thordur also scored against an England amateur side in 1956, in a match considered a B international because Iceland was not yet a professional footballing nation.
Thordarson added: “I’m fortunate to have so many role models. I constantly talk to my dad and my uncle who played for Stoke.”
“I also meet my great-uncles once or twice a year. Everyone has been incredibly helpful throughout my career.”
Thordarson is the third player in Preston’s history to originate from Iceland, specifically from Akranes on the west coast.
This town, located a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik, has also produced Preston midfielders Bjarki Gunnlaugsson (1999-2002) and striker Thordur Gudjonsson (2002).
Akranes, with a population of 8,452, has also produced notable players like Joey Gudjonsson (formerly of Aston Villa, Wolves, Leicester, Burnley, and Huddersfield) and Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (ex-Wolves striker).
Arnar Gunnlaugsson, the current Iceland head coach, who played for Bolton, Leicester, and Stoke, is also from Akranes.
Thordarson commented: “There can’t be many places worldwide that have produced so many professional footballers from such a small population.”
“Growing up, football was everything. Our local team dominated in the 1980s and early 1990s.”
Unsurprisingly, his childhood idol was Eidur Gudjohnsen, Iceland’s most famous player, who played for Barcelona, Chelsea, and Bolton.
Thordarson was thrilled when Gudjohnsen became his Under-21s coach.
He said: “Eidur was a massive inspiration. For someone from Iceland to play for Barcelona alongside players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Deco was incredible.”
“It was a great honor to play under him.”
Thordarson is motivated to follow Gudjohnsen’s path to the Premier League, stating: “That’s why I moved to England. It has always been my dream.”
As a child, he watched English football and supported Arsenal, admiring Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, and especially Cesc Fabregas.
The Preston player shared: “I had an English coach back home named Dean Martin.”
“He still lives in Iceland but is from London and is a big Arsenal fan. He converted some of us into Gooners.”
“It was during the Invincibles era. The style of football under Arsene Wenger, and Cesc? Just wow.”
“His style and movement on the pitch, influenced by his Barcelona upbringing, were a joy to watch.”
After playing for his local club, Thordarson moved to Denmark and played for Silkeborg for four seasons.
In the 2022-23 season, he played against West Ham in the Conference League group stage.
Thordarson joined Preston last July and has quickly become a fan favorite.
He reflected: “It’s been an eventful first season. We lost manager Ryan Lowe, who signed me, after just one game.”
“We had a good Carabao Cup run, defeating Fulham 16-15 on penalties, and I got to play against Arsenal.”
“Despite losing 3-0, it was a fantastic experience.”
“And now we are in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Beating Burnley 3-0 in the previous round had one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced.”
