Reading FC

Brynjar Gunnarsson signs a new one-year contract with Reading FC chairman Sir John Madejski
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New contract for Brynjar Gunnarsson

By Jonny Fordham
July 01, 2009

Brynjar Gunnarsson has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract.

The 33-year-old Icelandic midfielder had been offered the chance to extend his stay at Madejski Stadium and would have been out of contract this summer.

Now, the Icelandic international who has made more than 100 appearances in a Royals shirt and scored 10 goals, will be one of the most experienced members of the squad after the club released captain Graeme Murty, goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and defender Michael Duberry at the end of the season.

Gunnarsson said: "There was never any doubt, I always wanted to stay and the club wanted me so it was fairly easy to get everything done.

"It is a time when there are a lot of changes and some players were not offered contracts so I was very pleased the club wanted to keep me."

The defensive midfielder has earned more than 60 caps for Iceland and worn the captain's armband for his country on many occasions.

He signed for Reading from Watford in the summer of 2005 and director of football Nick Hammond believes his experience will be vital for the younger squad members.

Hammond added: "I'm very pleased that Brynjar has signed. He is a very good player, his quality gives him great versatility and he continues to set a good example for the younger players. He has a big part to play this season."

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7-man bench. He'll be a bench warmer and make the occasional appearance just to ruffle a few feathers.

Steve Royal, Reading
2/07/2009 at 23:03

Yes Bushes Burnal, there is bitterness there. Living in Reading I love the banter with mates who support Reading, and have admired the way your club has been run since moving here. I went to Murty's do at the Crown Plaza with work and was very impressed with the family that is Reading FC and their players. Hahnemann even brought me a drink and whenever I have seen him through work he has been a gentleman and a credit to your club. HOWEVER, the reputation of the last few years built up by a manager who is a class act (Coppell) has been eroded by the underhand way your chairman, and now your manager have acted. Look at the way Hahnemann and Murty have been discarded after being loyal servants to Reading FC and the community for more than 17 years between them. Rest assured, if you do well this season there is no way Rodgers will hang around and build on that success. The word 'loyal' is not in his vocabulary, and I am convinced you will look back on this new era he is embarking on with some embarrassment. Yes I am bitter that Reading's new era has had a detrimental effect on the club I love. Who wants a new era that involves being disloyal, disrespectfull and lacking morals? Good luck guys, you're going to need it...

Emmer Green Hornet, Reading
2/07/2009 at 18:31

Reading’s Policy at present is clear: sell, sell, sell, and if you can’t sell em relase em – at least ther off the wage bill!!!

So I am very surpised too to see Bryn given a new contract.

Steve101 made very good point: why offer a contract to 33 year who cant get into the team escpecially when we have Harper, Matejovsky, Cisse, Tabb and Karacan (not to mention Sigurdsson).

Who is running this club?? Every disicion these days seem to be making sure the “wage bill” is cut down.

Gregster, S. Reading
2/07/2009 at 15:43

Emmer Green Hornet is probably a 13 year old lad who is having a go at being a grown up by posting pointless cr@p on getreading. He's obviously grown to old to post in the BBC 606 forums with all the other kids. Let him play.

As I have already said to him, he is just doing what is expected of Watford fans. They really are pathetic little 'golden boys' hey!

Say what you think, Reading
2/07/2009 at 14:12

You have to feel sorry for emmer green hornet, you can hear the bitterness in all his posts.

C'mon, we did just recently take anyone we wanted from Watford....and I dont think we're done yet either!

Bushes Bernal, Reading
2/07/2009 at 08:17

emma green hornet needs to remember watford are a feeder club to the feeder club.

ajr111, swindon
2/07/2009 at 00:16

I'm very surprised that Reading offered Bryn a new contract. Don't get me wrong, he's a decent bloke i'm sure and has been a good player in the past, but now was surely the time to move him on?? It's a strange decision. He's well past 30, and looks like his legs have gone. Surely Harper, Matejovsky, Cisse, Tabb and Karacan (not to mention Sigurdsson) are enough central midfielders??

It's obvious to everyone that the club are desperately trying to reduce their wage bill and also cash in on any player who attracts an offer from another club.

I feel very sorry for Brendan....the club is still paying a heavy price for it's complete failure to invest in the squad after finishing 8th in the premier league. ....last season we sold players to the value of approx £10M and re-invested less than £2m, this season we'll also sell our better players, and then invest less then 20% of money coming in just to stay afloat.

If we finish in the top half Brendan and co will have done very well indeed!!!! Good luck Brendan, you're going to need it!!!!

Steve101
1/07/2009 at 21:28

Anyone think Gunnarsson has an outside chance of the captaincy for 09/10?

jack1808
1/07/2009 at 18:55

Well done lads. Secured a Watford reject who has dodgy knees and is past his best for another year. That's ambition for you! Did you hear Wolves have a new feeder club? Reading!

Emmer Green Hornet, Reading
1/07/2009 at 18:09

Know your place Bryn :

Chairman - gold tipped ivory pen bought at auction - value £3000

Player : bulk buy pen from macro - value 3p

Nothing new there then

MARTIN DANIEL
1/07/2009 at 14:48

Oooer!

Bushes Bernal, Reading
1/07/2009 at 14:35

If I were Gunnarsson I'd be more worried about the state of my golf.

I watched him pull his drive off the first at Wokefield straight in to the fairway bunker the other week. His wife has a nice action though and put one right up the middle.