'That's just exciting' - Stefan Thordarson explains his early Preston North End boost

It’s hotel life at the moment for Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, but nothing he isn’t used to. Living out of a suitcase is the norm every time he goes away with Iceland, and the 25-year-old knows the settling in period - to a new country and home - will eventually pass by. For now - as Thordarson waits for his partner to move over from Denmark, find a place to live and sort a car - it’s lifts into work with fellow new recruit Sam Greenwood, and putting the hard yards in every day.

As well as the same vehicle each morning, Thordarson and Greenwood have another thing in common: their out-of-the-blue arrivals at Preston North End. The duo have since shown glimpses of their talent in pre-season, as two technical midfield players with attacking minds. It’s a big life change for PNE’s new number 12, but this is the dream of many Icelandic footballers. He expected a move this transfer window and is determined to seize the opportunity.

“Yeah, I had a really good season in Denmark and me and the club were both on (the same page) that this summer would be the time for me to move on, after four years,” Thordarson told the Lancashire Post. “With everything we’d been through there - playing in the Conference League group stages and winning the cup last season - I think we thought this would be the best time to me to move on to something bigger.”

Thordarson’s signature generated plenty of excitement, with the previous two recruits from the Danish Superliga - Mads Frokjaer and Emil Riis - having impressed at PNE. At 25, the midfielder brings lots of experience to the table. He has played on the international stage, in the UEFA Conference League and lifted a domestic cup last season. The feeling of winning silverware is something which will continue to drive Thordarson on, until he experiences it again.

“That is a day I will never forget,” he said. “Not just the 90 minutes, but the whole day. The build-up was obviously huge for the town. Only around 50 thousand people live there and it was the third ever title, in its 100 year history. So, obviously it was amazing for us players to be able to give that back to the town. When the referee blew his whistle, you can’t really explain it. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone back and watched it.”

A first season in England will follow the midfielder’s best scoring season yet. Thordarson netted 11 goals in 36 outings, during the 2023/24 campaign. He puts that mainly down to greater self-confidence. Speaking, for the first time to the local media at Euxton, Thordarson is a great example of confident but not arrogant. A clearly switched on individual, he is looking to make his mark in Preston’s midfield and has so far enjoyed playing with Frokjaer.

“I have played as a six for the national team and as an eight,” said Thordarson. “In Silkeborg, I played as an eight and ten. It doesn’t really matter. I think, as soon as we find those connections - and the more game and training time I get with the boys - we will create those relationships on the field. I already feel like me and Mads (Frokjaer) have a connection on the field - we have a good understanding of each other, so that’s just exciting. We have obviously talked about how we see football and how we want to play... it’s very similar.”

Thordarson was convinced to join Preston over a couple of other Championship clubs - said to be Derby County and QPR. And since entering the building, his leadership on the pitch has stood out to manager Ryan Lowe - who presented to the Iceland star over Zoom, prior to the deal getting done. That is his nature, as someone ready to fight and hungry to win.

“Yeah, I come from a family where the brothers of my grandad are very demanding,” said Thordarson. “They have very high standards, so I think it comes naturally - being from there. I have been captain for the national team twice, so that’s something I’m really proud of. Hopefully, I can bring something here with my leadership qualities too.”