England really aren’t being allowed to forget their ignominious Euro 2016 exit in a hurry.
The 2-1 loss at the hands of Iceland has had big repercussions for the national game, and a couple of the opponents from that night in Nice have decided England suits them very well indeed.
Ragnar Sigurðsson, who scored the equaliser in the game in question, joined Fulham in August, while compatriot Jón Daði Böðvarsson is with the Cottagers’ Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson is also playing his football in England, moving from Charlton to Burnley over the summer, while Bristol City’s Hörður Björgvin Magnússon was an unused substitute at the Allianz Riviera. Gylfi Sigurðsson and Aron Gunnarsson, meanwhile, remain with Swansea and Cardiff respectively.
And now the number of Iceland’s Euro 2016 players in England’s top two divisions has risen to seven, with Aston Villa completing the signing of Birkir Bjarnason.
Breaking news: We’re delighted to announce the signing of Birkir Bjarnason from FC Basel. #WelcomeBirkir #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Xz1G2fidTu
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 25, 2017
Bjarnason, who arrives from Swiss side FC Basel, started all five of Iceland’s Euro 2016 matches in France.
Fans may remember him best for his goal in his country’s opening game, a 1-1 draw with Portugal.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
