Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has high hopes for summer signing Stefan Thordarson.
In early July, the Iceland international was acquired by the Lilywhites for an estimated £800,000. He left Silkeborg IF, a Danish Superliga team, where he made 126 games and scored 16 goals. The 26-year-old has already made 14 appearances for PNE, including six Championship starts.
Heckingbottom has used the number 22 in most games, despite not being the manager who signed him. Thordarson was one of the few bright spots from North End’s opening-night defeat to Sheffield United during the preseason. The midfielder has had ups and downs since then, but the Preston manager is not surprised considering the differences between Danish and English football.
“Yeah, it’s the same as when we speak about any midfielders,” said Heckingbottom. “There is a lot of competition in there, but I still think – and I look at the attributes Steffy has got – there is a player in there who could potentially go on and be a top, top player
“Adapting to this league and the physicality and speed – anyone who has seen the Danish league, and any Scandinavian league if I’m honest, it’s really heavy on the tactics and really passive without the ball. Then, it’s a big, big difference when you come to the Championship.
“Steffy and Jeppe (Okkels) are seeing that. It’s a huge difference. Add to that twice as many games and it’s a big culture shift. Not only moving to a different country, but the actual job you are employed to do is totally different.”
It’s an honest assessment from the Preston boss, but he has full confidence that Thordarson has the athletic qualities to thrive in English football.
