Gudjohnsen to add to Bolton contingency at West Ham
Published:Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to be reunited with his former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce at West Ham, as the Icelandic forward awaits the results of his medical at Upton Park.
Allardyce introduced Gudjohnsen to British football when he signed him for Bolton from KR Reykjavik in 1998, and the Hammers’ new boss is keen to secure the 32-year-old’s signature again following his release from Stoke at the end of last season.
Gudjohnsen’s arrival at West Ham would herald something of a Bolton reunion in east London, as the Wanderers’ former manager Allardyce has already convinced Kevin Nolan to leave Newcastle for the Championship club.
West Ham are the 9/2 favourites to clinch the Championship title this season, and Gudjohnsen would be a useful addition to a strikeforce depleted by the departures of Demba Ba, Victor Obinna and Robbie Keane.
Gudjohnsen came close to joining West Ham in January last year but instead opted for a loan to Tottenham, before moving to Stoke and then spending the end of last season with Fulham.
He failed to score at either of his last two clubs, but having played for both Chelsea and Barcelona with distinction, his pedigree is undoubted.
Following his release from Stoke, the 64-cap Iceland international was linked with Premier League newcomers Swansea, but the lure of working with Allardyce appears to have been too strong to resist.
‘Big Sam’ has also brought the imposing defender Abdoulaye Faye with him to West Ham, yet another addition to the Bolton old boys’ network at the club.
If Allardyce can conjure the same sort of winning formula which brought him promotion at Bolton, West Ham will more than justify their Championship favourites’ tag.
