Gunnar Heiðar Þorvaldsson

Football player infobox
playername = Gunnar Thorvaldsson
fullname = Gunnar Heiðar Thorvaldsson
nickname = Günni


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|4|1
cityofbirth = Vestmannaeyjar
countryofbirth = Iceland
height = height|m=1.82
currentclub = Esbjerg fB
clubnumber = 9
position = striker
years = 1999-2004
2004-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-
clubs = ÍBV
Halmstads BK
Hannover 96
→ Vålerenga I.F. ("loan")
Esbjerg fB
caps(goals) = 72 (37) 38 (16) 7 (0) 17 (4) 0 (0)
nationalyears = 2005-
nationalteam = Iceland
nationalcaps(goals) = 20 (5)
pcupdate = 9 September 2007
ntupdate = 2 June 2008

Gunnar Heiðar Þorvaldsson ("Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson") (born 1 April 1982) is an Icelandic striker who plays for Danish Superliga side Esbjerg fB and the Icelandic national team.

Club career

Þorvaldsson started his career at ÍBV in his hometown of Vestmannaeyjar. After establishing himself as the best striker in the Icelandic Premier League, he was transferred to Halmstads BK in Sweden in 2004. Here, he only narrowly missed out on the league title in his first year and won the Swedish golden boot in the following season (with 16 goals). He also featured in the club's UEFA Cup campaign of 2005/06, scoring a vital goal in the qualifying round victory over Sporting.

This brought him to the attention of several clubs from around Europe [http://www.hannover96.de/CDA/news_-_detailansicht,577,0,newsid-6639,de.html] , before he eventually opted to move to German side Hannover 96 in March 2006 in a 3 year deal.

His time in Germany however has been blighted by persistent injuries. In his debut season for the Reds he managed only 7 appearances, and has yet to find the net for them.

In August 2007 he was loan to Vålerenga I.F.

In the summer 2008 he made a move to the Danish club Esbjerg fB.

International career

He made his international debut on March 30, 2005, as a last minute substitute in a goalless friendly draw with Italy in Padova. His first international goal came in a 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Malta on June 8, 2005.

Trivia

* He comes from a family of fishermen.
* He lives with his Icelandic girlfriend Bjarny.
* He was nicknamed 'Günni' at Hannover 96.
* During his time at Halmstads BK, an audacious group of Wolves fans attempted to petition their club to sign him Fact|date=April 2008.