Gudmundsson rejoins Burnley on one-year deal

Johann Berg Gudmundsson celebrates a Burnley goalImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Johann Berg Gudmundsson originally joined Burnley in 2016

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Johann Berg Gudmundsson has re-signed for Championship club Burnley on a one-year deal.

The Clarets had announced the Iceland midfielder would be leaving Turf Moor this summer after relegation from the Premier League with his contract about to expire.

But he has now linked up with the club for pre-season under new head coach Scott Parker.

Gudmundsson, 33, has played 227 games for Burnley, scoring 14 goals.

He initially joined Burnley eight years ago from Charlton and was a mainstay in the Sean Dyche team that managed six straight seasons in the top flight.

Gudmundsson also figured in the club's Europa League campaign in 2018-19 after they had finished seventh in the Premier League the season before.

He remained for both the promotion and relegation under Vincent Kompany, although it looked like he had played his final game for the club as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season.

But a chance meeting with Burnley chairman Alan Pace resulted in him coming back to east Lancashire.

"I was on the same flight from Amsterdam as Alan," he told the club's website, external.

"We had a good conversation about the club and what we could do to get it back in the Premier League where it belongs and here I am, signing again as a Burnley player.

"I've also spoken with the new manager and I just want to help this team to get back to the Premier League."