September 2019

at 17:29:00 0

Some 10 years ago, Barnsley brought in Emil Hallfredsson on loan from Reggina. He spent the season at Oakwell - a campaign of initial struggle under Simon Davey that later saw the Tykes pull away from trouble with Mark Robins in charge and ultimately end the campaign in lower mid-table. Hallfredsson scored three goals and made four assists in 27 Championship games for Barnsley. It's a pretty unremarkable return even by the in-and-out standards often set by wide midfielders and wingers.
The career of this Iceland international was anything but ordinary. However, after coming through the ranks at Fimleikafelag Hafnarfjardar in his homeland, Hallfredsson was headhunted by then-Tottenham Hotspur sporting director, Frank Arnesen. That great Dane had a glittering playing career and was charged with finding left-wing options for Spurs. Arnesen took a scattergun approach to solving this problematic position, also signing Switzerland's, Reto Ziegler, and the famous Andy Reid from Nottingham Forest.

Hallfredsson never made a first-team appearance for Tottenham, but did show glimpses of what he could do in the reserves and later show further promise during a 2006 loan spell with Malmo in Sweden. He then left White Hart Lane on a permanent basis for Norwegian capital club, Lyn Oslo only to immediately move on to then-Serie A side, Reggina.

It was in Italy where Hallfredsson would spend the vast majority of his club career. Although in and out of the picture at Calabrian club Reggina, he dropped down two divisions to help Hellas Verona go from Serie C back to Serie A.

Once the momentum of that rise through the divisions ebbed, however, Hellas became something of a yo-yo club between the Italian top flight and Serie B. Since Hallfredsson left Verona midway through 2015-16, they've gone down and been promoted twice. They're among the favourites for the drop again this term at 11/8 in the latest Serie A betting on relegation outright markets with bet365.

During his time in Italy, Hallfredsson played with established stars and cult heroes like World Cup-winning striker, Luca Toni, Mexico defensive icon, Rafael Marquez, and Udinese talisman, Antonio Di Natale.

It was whilst he was on the books of that club that Hallfredsson enjoyed his finest hour. He not only qualified with Iceland for a first major international tournament in Euro 2016, but was a part of their squad when they reached the quarter-finals - famously eliminating England in the last 16 en route.
Hallfredsson may have been on the fringes of Icelandic exploits, but was again a part of the roster that reached the 2018 World Cup in Russia. As an individual, his goal in a Euro 2008 qualifier against subsequent dual European champions, Spain, that earned his country a point, would most probably be a personal highlight for the player.

Iceland's opposition that day counted future World Cup winners, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Fernando Torres, and David Villa among the players involved. All in all, not bad for a lad who didn't really cut it at Barnsley!
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