Hermann Hreiðarsson

Hermann Hreiðarsson (born 11 July 1974 in Vestmannaeyjar) is an Icelandic football (soccer) player. He plays for Portsmouth F.C., in the FA Premier League. Hreiðarsson is a Defender (football), who plays primarily at left back but also plays at centre half.

The Icelandic letter ð ("eth") is commonly transliterated as d, so in English his name is often written Hreidarsson and pronounced as "H'riderson".

Club career

Early career

Hreiðarsson came into English football in August 1997, when he moved from Icelandic champions Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja to FA Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace F.C. on a free-transfer, and was one of the Eagles' stand-out players as they were relegated.

In September 1998 Hreiðarsson opted to move further down the Football League and follow recently departed Palace chairman Ron Noades to Brentford F.C., where Noades was now chairman as well as the manager. He joined the Football League Third Division side in a deal worth £750,000, a new record for that Division.

Brentford were Champions of the Third Division and Hreiðarsson scored 6 goals, but in October 1999 Hreiðarsson was signed by Premier League side Wimbledon F.C. in a deal worth £2.5million. He was unable to prevent the Dons being relegated from the top flight in 1999-00 in English football.

Ipswich

A £4.5million move before the 2000-01 in English football season saw him become newly-promoted Ipswich Town F.C.'s record signing. Ipswich finished fifth in the club's first season back in the Premiership, securing a UEFA Cup place. 12 months later, there was a complete reversal of fortunes and they were relegated. Ipswich trimmed their squad but Hreiðarsson turned down a move to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion F.C. at the start of the 2002-03 in English football campaign - reportedly due to the Baggies offering him vastly reduced wages and Hreiðarsson not wanting to face another relegation battle.

Charlton

In March 2003 Hreiðarsson did move on, joining Premiership side Charlton Athletic F.C.. He signed a three-and-a-half year contract, with the Addicks paying £800,000, plus a further £100,000 if they were not relegated in the 2003-04 in English football season. He was able to move to Addicks outside the Premiership's transfer window as Ipswich were in temporary administration, although he would not be eligible to play for the club for the remainder of the season.

Hreiðarsson proved to be a rock for Charlton after making his debut in a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City F.C.. He would miss only five games in his debut season, and would be regular starter in subsequent seasons.

At the end of the 2006-07 in English football season Charlton were relegated, Hreiðarsson's fourth Premiership relegation, all with different clubs.

Portsmouth

On May 25 2007, Premiership club Portsmouth F.C. signed Hreiðarsson on a two-year deal. Hreiðarsson exercised a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Charlton on a free transfer if they were relegated.
On September 29 2007, Hreidarsson scored his first goal for Portsmouth in a 7-4 Premiership win at home to Reading F.C..

On 20th April 2008, Hreidarsson was sent off for a professional foul on Darius Vassell at the City of Manchester Stadium against Manchester City, but his season ended in style by lifting the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City.

International career

Hreiðarsson made his debut for Iceland national football team in a June 1996 friendly match against Cyprus national football team, coming on as a substitute for Alexander Högnason. He has become a stalwart for the team, collecting over 70 caps since and captaining the side in the absence of Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen.

Family

Hermann is married to fellow Icelander Ragna Lóa Stefánsdóttir, herself a former football player (not to be confused with the jazz singer Loa Stefansdottir). They have two daughters, Telma and Ýda, in addition to Ragna Lóa's own children, Stefán and Elsa. They live together in Dorset.