Aron Gunnarsson in November 2009 |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aron Einar Gunnarsson | ||
| Date of birth | 22 April 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Akureyri, Iceland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Right back Central midfielder |
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| Club information | |||
| Current club | Cardiff City | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2005 | Þór Akureyri | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2005–2006 | Þór Akureyri | 11 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | AZ | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2011 | Coventry City | 122 | (6) |
| 2011– | Cardiff City | 21 | (5) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007–2008 | Iceland U21 | 9 | (1) |
| 2008– | Iceland | 25 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:09, 2 January 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Aron Einar Gunnarsson (born 22 April 1989) is an Icelandic international footballer who plays professionally for Cardiff City in Wales. Gunnarsson can play either at right back or in central midfield.
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Born in Akureyri, Gunnarsson began his career with local side Þór Akureyri in 2005, before moving to the Netherlands a year later to play with AZ.[1]
Gunnarsson signed for English team Coventry City on 17 June 2008, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[2] He made his debut on the opening day of the Championship against Norwich City, where the Sky Blues won 3-1.[3] He scored his first career goal on 14 February 2009 in an FA Cup match against Premiership side Blackburn Rovers.[4] During his time at Coventry, Gunnarsson attracted Premier League interest leading Coventry City to offer him an improved deal on 12 March.[5] His first league goal came against Crystal Palace.[6] At the end of his first season in England, Gunnarsson was voted the Coventry City Supporter's Player of the Year as well as the club's Community Award.[7]
The following season, Gunnarsson changed his shirt number from 12 to 17, to mirror the squad number of his brother, who is a professional handball player.[8] The following season he continued as a vital part of the Sky Blues' midfield, throughout the season he made 42 appearances and scored one goal against Middlesbrough.[9]
Coventry City started the 2010-11 season strongly looking like they were pushing for play-off places. Gunnarsson opened his seasons goal scoring count with a goal against newly promoted, Millwall, despite the Sky Blues losing 3-1.[10] After three years at Coventry, he scored his first goal at Coventry City's home ground, Ricoh Arena, against Preston North End.[11] Three days later, Gunnarsson, scored his second goal in two games against Doncaster Rovers.[12] He was out of contract at the end of the season and on 10 December, Gunnarsson stated his desire to stay at Coventry.[13] However the following week, he received his first red card of his career against Norwich City.[14] However a deal for a new contract couldn't be reached between his agent and Coventry, and at the end of the season the club gave him a deadline date to agree to stay.[15]
However due to Gunnarsson and his agent not being able to reach an agreement with Coventry, he was linked with moves away and his agent confirmed that fellow Championship outfit Cardiff City were favorites to sign him.[16]
On 8 July, Gunnarsson agreed a three-year deal with Cardiff City.[17] He made his debut in 1-0 win over West Ham United.[18] In his second game, Gunnarsson limped off with an ankle injury after only 10 minutes against Bristol City, the injury sidelined him for a week, which kept him out for 4 games in the league and cup.[19] He returned after the September international break admitting his injury is behind him.[20] Making his return the first game after the break against Doncaster Rovers on 10 September. His first goal came in a Championship match against Peterborough United on 18 October, which ended in a 4-3 defeat.[21] Five days later, Gunnarsson managed to score a brace in a 5-3 victory against Barnsley, where he received the man of the match award.[22] His 150th professional appearance in English football came against former employers Coventry City on 22 November 2011. A fourth goal for Cardiff, came on 17 December against Middlesbrough.
Gunnarsson made his international debut for Iceland on 2 February 2008.[1] As of 18 October 2011, Gunnarsson has appeared in 25 international games for Iceland,[23] including in seven FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.[24] Gunnarsson was called up to the Under-21 European Championship Iceland squad, which took place in Denmark. In the first game Iceland beat hosts Denmark 3-1. This was followed with 2-0 loss to Belarus, where Gunnarsson was sent off.[25] The two losses saw Iceland go out of the tournament via a tie breaker.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Coventry City | 2008–09 | 40 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 2 |
| 2009–10 | 40 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2010–11 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| Total | 122 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 7 | |
| Cardiff City | 2011–12 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 5 |
| Career total | 143 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 12 | |
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