Burnley sign Charlton Athletic’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson

Sean Dyche’s first summer recruit started every game for Iceland at Euro 2016

Burnley have signed Iceland midfielder Johann Gudmundsson from Charlton Athletic. Photograph: Getty
Burnley have signed Iceland midfielder Johann Gudmundsson from Charlton Athletic. Photograph: Getty

Burnley have made their first signing since returning to the Premier League by bringing in Iceland international Johann Berg Gudmundsson from Charlton.

The midfielder, 25, has penned a three-year deal at Turf Moor with the option of a further year having spent two seasons with the Addicks, who were relegated into League One while the Clarets went up.

Gudmundsson also started every game for his country during their run to the last eight at Euro 2016 earlier this summer.

Despite his club's demotion, Gudmundsson had the joint most assists in the Championship last year, along with previous Burnley target Alan Judge, and Sean Dyche has been looking to add more creativity to his midfield ahead of their top-flight return.

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Burnley’s only other new signings this summer have been additions to their development squad and Dyche confirmed the Icelander was a player universally admired by the recruitment team in east Lancashire.

“Johann, we feel, is a quality player who we saw last season playing at Charlton in a tough time and we liked the quality he showed,” Dyche said.

“It helps to see a player in the European Championships with that kind of company and he did well there so it was one we all agreed would be a good acquisition for the club and we look forward to working with him going forward.”

Gudmundsson played against Burnley last season in the game at The Valley which saw Dyche’s men wrap up the second tier title.

“It’s fantastic to be here, it’s a club that’s shown a lot of interest in me and I’m really happy to come and play for Burnley,” Gudmundsson said.

“It was a good season for myself, unfortunately not for Charlton, and then we had a good Euros for Iceland.

“It feels like a family club and like everyone is tight to each other. The atmosphere around the club is fantastic and playing against the team last season I saw just how good the club was — I definitely wanted to join.”