New boy Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is excited to have joined Wanderers’ cast list of Icelandic stars after securing a move to the Whites.
Bodvarsson has agreed an 18-month deal at the University of Bolton Stadium after ending a two-and-a-half-year stay with Championship side Millwall.
And the 29-year-old Iceland international – part of the side that famously knocked England out at the last-16 stage of the 2016 European Championships – knows he is following in some famous footsteps.
“Bolton is such a big club and a club I’ve known since a kid watching the Premier League,” said Bodvarsson, who has been capped 62 times by his country.
“For me to be here right now, I’m absolutely over the moon.
“I remember all the players; (Eidur) Gudjohnsen, for example, was like my idol when I was a kid, watching him play.
“Gudni Bergsson and (Gretar) Steinsson to name a few. I actually spoke to Steinsson before I came here, as well, and he had nothing but good things to say.
“That plays a big part and I’m excited to be one of those Icelandic players.”
Gudjohnsen, Bergsson and Steinsson – just three of the handful of their countrymen to have played for Wanderers – were key figures for the Whites during a fantastic era for the club either side of the millennium as they reached the Premier League to become a top-flight force.
Bodvarsson is no stranger to the Championship after previous spells with Wolves and Reading and Wanderers’ new number-nine is delighted to be continuing his love affair with the English game as he looks to help Ian Evatt’s men continue to climb back the up the league ladder.
“I still remember the first time I played in England – my debut with Wolves,” Bodvarsson added.
“From there on I absolutely loved it; something about the English game.
“The atmosphere and the football is just different and I think it just fits me as well.
“Hopefully I can bring some of my experience to the team and help them out.
“I have signed for this club and you should always aim to go as high as possible. Hopefully I will be able to do my best to help the team on its way to the top.
“Maybe it will take some time but it seems the club is on the right track and I can’t wait to start.”
His first involvement could come at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday after Bodvarsson, who becomes Wanderers’ fifth signing of the January transfer window, trained with Evatt’s men for the first time on Thursday.
And the experienced frontman is eager to help build on last weekend’s impressive win over Ipswich Town after a goal-scoring performance for his country as a part of a double-header played by Iceland in Turkey earlier this month.
“It was really good for me to go there with the national team in a competitive area again before coming here, just to get a bit of confidence playing minutes and getting some minutes in the tank,” said Bodvarsson.
“It was a great win the other day for the (Wanderers) team so hopefully that will give some confidence for the next game.
“It will be a tough game on Saturday, but that’s every game in this league, and then Sunderland – a big club – and I can’t wait to play here in this stadium.”
To watch Jon's first interview as a Wanderers' player, click HERE