Hreidarsson bid accepted

12 August 2002

Ipswich Chairman David Sheepshanks last night told the media: "We have reluctantly accepted an offer for Hermann Hreidarsson from West Bromwich Albion and the player and his representative have been given permission to meet with them to discuss personal terms." The day before, Hreidarsson had played a key role in Town's opening day 2-0 defeat of Walsall, broadcast live on Sky. Also in attendance at the game were Graham Taylor, reckoned to be there to watch Villa target Matt Holland, and Dave Jones, whose Wolves side face Walsall this week.

Rumours suggest that a £3.5 million bid for Hreidarsson was turned down last week - so either Albion have upped the bid to around £4 million or Ipswich have taken another look at the accounts and changed their minds. Rumours suggest the bid, not officially disclosed, is around the £3.75 million mark.

The following profile comes from Ipswich Town's official web site:

Hermann Hreidarsson

Date of Birth: 11 July 1974

Height: 6' 3''

Weight: 13st 1lb

Previous Clubs: IBV Vestmann, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Wimbledon

ITFC Appearances: 92

ITFC Goals: 3

Arrived at Crystal Palace from IBV in Iceland in August 1997 and was a big hit with the Eagles fans for his powerful displays at the back and in midfield. Became the most expensive Third Division player in history when Brentford boss Ron Noades, formerly chairman at Palace, paid out £850,000 to take him to Griffin Park in August 1998. Money well spent as the Icelandic international helped the Bees to the divisional Championship. Six months later, Wimbledon paid £2.5 million, a new club record for Brentford, to take him back to Selhurst Park. And on the eve of the 2000/01 season, his name was in the history books again as Town splashed out a club high of £4 million to bring him to Portman Road.

Has shown his versatility by playing on the left side of defence as well as in the middle to great effect, and his marauding runs forward and power in the air at set-pieces have made him a big hit with the Blues fans. Scored against Helsingborg and West Ham last term. Also skippered his country in World Cup action.

Ipswich fans seem to be very disappointed to hear the news, and of all their current players Hreidarsson is the one they'd least like to lose - they feel that they will find it very hard to get promoted back to the Premiership without him. However, reports last week said that given their new Division One status, Ipswich would need to raise a further £10 million from player sales, on top of the £5 million they had already generated from selling Bramble to Newcastle.

There's a lesson to be learned there for Albion, we'd say.

Previous Stories:

11 August 2002: We love you Bradford...

09 August 2002: Man U ticket queue latest

08 August 2002: Fancy a sandwich?

Hreidarsson bid accepted

12 August 2002

Hermann Hreidarsson

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