Eidur Gudjohnsen’s son set to face Chelsea 19 years after being on the pitch as a baby
The Gudjohnsen family is gearing up for a special night at Stamford Bridge, as Andri Gudjohnsen returns to Chelsea’s home ground after 19 years, this time not as a young child on the pitch but as Gent’s No. 9 striker. Andri, the 22-year-old son of Blues legend Eidur Gudjohnsen, will lead the line for the Belgian side in Chelsea’s Conference League home opener, with his father looking on proudly.
Eidur Gudjohnsen, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea and scored 78 goals for the club during his six seasons there, notably being a key player in Jose Mourinho’s first title-winning side, will be present at Stamford Bridge to witness his son’s big moment. Andri was previously seen on the pitch at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s title celebrations in 2005, capturing a memorable moment alongside his father.
Having had a journey that included stints in the Real Madrid academy, Andri is now poised for a significant breakthrough on the European club stage as Gent faces Chelsea. The young striker expressed the special significance of the upcoming match, sharing, “The first thing I did was call my father. He already knew. It’s special for me and for him. I was born when my father played there. It’s kind of a unique draw.”
An Iceland international, Andri recently played against England at Wembley before the start of Euro 2024, showcasing his talent on an international platform. After spells in Sweden and Denmark, Andri moved to Gent this summer, following in his father’s footsteps who had previously been at Barcelona’s academy before joining Real Madrid and making appearances for Real Madrid Castilla.
The Gudjohnsen family reunion at Stamford Bridge symbolizes a full-circle moment for young Andri, as he steps onto the same pitch where he was once a baby, now ready to make his mark in the world of professional football.