Bought to England by Icelandic money, yet to stake his place as a first team regular. Can play at the back or in midfield
Having played in Iceland, Norway and Sweden, Gunnarsson was brought to England by Stoke boss Gudjon Thordarson in late 1999. Buoyed by the cash of an Icelandic consortium who had just taken control of the club, Thordarson shelled out a club record £600,000 for Gunnarsson’s snapping midfield tenacity and adaptability (he can also play at the back, and handily hes 6ft 1in tall).
After four years in the Potteries he moved to Nottingham Forest on a free but failed to impress and, after a brief return to Stoke on loan, moved to Watford (again on a free) in summer 2004.
He impressed many fans but was allowed to join Steve Coppell’s Reading for a nominal fee by new boss Aidy Boothroyd, who reasoned that midfield partner Gavin Mahon was similar but better. Never a first team regular, he is a committed performer whenever he plays.