incoming Victor Pálsson

Victor Pálsson


Argyle have signed Icelandic international Victor Pálsson.

Victor, 33, signs on a permanent contract having left Eupen earlier this week, who last year played in the Belgian top flight. Able to play as a right-sided defender or as a defensive midfielder, Pálsson has 44 caps for his country, having first played for Iceland in 2014, and most recently in March this year.

He is also reuniting with Argyle boss Wayne Rooney, who was Victor’s head coach during his time with DC United.

“I am really pleased we have managed to bring Victor to Argyle,” said Rooney. “He is someone I know well having worked together at DC United, and he brings extensive experience to the squad.

“Alongside that, he knows the system we are looking to implement, is good on the ball and will form an integral part of the squad moving forward. I’m looking forward to working with him again as the Sky Bet Championship season approaches.”

Argyle Director of Football Neil Dewsnip added: “Victor is someone the recruitment team, Wayne, and Pete identified as the perfect person to come into the squad to strengthen our defensive options.

“He is experienced throughout Europe and is someone who is technically and tactically suited to the system we are trying to implement. He is also a current Iceland international and will add leadership to our young squad.

“We are thrilled to further strengthen the group with Victor’s signing and welcome him to Plymouth Argyle.”

With Portuguese and Mozambique heritage, Victor was born and brought up in Iceland, but moved to Denmark in 16 to play for Aarhus. He then turned professional with Liverpool in 2009, and his time in England included a short loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Incredibly, in a three-game stint with the Essex side, Pálsson played against Argyle, in November 2010, at Home Park, in a game the Greens won 2-1, with goals from Craig Noone and Rory Patterson.

Victor moved to Hibernian, in Scotland, for a year, before his first trip to MLS, to play for New York Red Bulls. He had a loan with NEC in the Netherlands, which turned permanent and continued his globetrotting with spells in Sweden and Denmark, with Helsingborgs and Esbjerg respectively.

In 2017, Pálsson moved to Switzerland to play for FC Zurich, and whilst there became captain of the side, and won the Swiss Cup. He also played for Zurich in the Europa League.

The next country on Victor’s list was Germany, where he played for two teams. He firstly joined Darmstadt, where stayed for two-and-a-half years, before moving to Schalke for a season and winning the 2. Bundesliga.

In the summer of 2022, Pálsson returned to the US, and linked up with Rooney for the first time, at DC United, where he was brought in as a ‘designated player’, which means they are a signing for whom the standard salary cap rules do not apply.

At the start of last season, Victor moved to Eupen, in the Belgian Pro League. He played 36 times, scoring twice.

The deal is subject to international clearance and EFL approval. Victor is sponsored by Significant Signs.

Not overwhelmed by this really. 34 year old Icelander released by a relegated Belgian club,has been around a bit at some decent clubs though and played a lot of international football-known to Rooney as well. Mustn't be too pre judgemental i suppose and good luck to him but looks as though any major permanent signings of the right age and pedigree are a step too far for the club this pre season, hopefully that conclusion will be proved conclusively wrong.

Loads of experience in an important defensive position - something we needed. Also makes a pleasant change for once not to see the words "season long loan". Get the feeling we'll be his last club.

At that age probably signed a 18 month contract with minimum signing on fee
Seems to have loads of experience played in a lot of top flight leagues across Europe
And at 33 could offer experience around a young side and add some steel as a defensive midfield…still think we need a couple of defenders to tighten up at the back …if we’re to play this attacking football we keep all hearing about

Hmm journeyman footballer last seen getting relegated from the Belgian top flight, a league I can't imagine is that much better than the Championship. Can't say I'm that optimistic about this one.

Also : "Neil Dewsnip added: “Victor is someone the recruitment team, Wayne, and Pete identified as the perfect person to come into the squad". Yeah right, basically Rooney already knows the guy, and he was free. Given our recent transfer policy I can't imagine our 'recruitment team' we've been hunting round for 33 year olds to sign before Rooney arrived.

I hope "was managed by Rooney at DC United" is not the new "was managed by Ian Foster as part of the England U19s"!