Albert Gudmundsson has finally made his way to Fiorentina after a long wait since January, and he can’t hide his excitement about pulling on the violet jersey. Although his debut has been postponed due to a minor calf injury, Gudmundsson is eager to get on the pitch. “I’m feeling good, it’s just a slight problem with my calf, and I hope to be back before the international break. I can’t wait to play for this team,” he remarked.
Having had a positive conversation with Fiorentina’s coach, Raffaele Palladino, Gudmundsson feels that he can contribute in various positions—on the wing, in a three-man attack, or even in midfield. “The connection with the coach was immediate. He explained his vision of football, which I really like. He has great energy and fresh ideas, and he has already shown what he can do at Monza. He demands a lot from his players, and under his guidance, I feel I can take my game to the next level. It’s essential for me to have him on the bench, and I’m here for him.”
Coming to Fiorentina offers Gudmundsson the chance to compete at a higher level, including in Europe. “I’m very happy to be in Florence, playing in Serie A and competing in a team that has reached the Conference League final twice in a row. They deserve even more.”
Last season at Genoa, Gudmundsson was impactful both in performance and goals. “I hope to score a lot here, but I don’t want to set specific targets—I just want to do well. I like to score and assist,” he added.
His transfer is reportedly the most expensive in Fiorentina’s history, costing €28.5 million including bonuses, but Gudmundsson is unfazed by the pressure that comes with that price tag. “It’s a great honor to be bought for such a sum, but I don’t want to carry additional responsibilities. I was eager for the deal to go through; I was never afraid it would fall through, but the final weeks of the transfer window can be tense. I remained calm throughout. I could have joined in January because Fiorentina was interested, but I felt my mission in Genoa wasn’t finished yet.”
As for his jersey number, he proudly raised his new shirt in front of the media, mentioning that while “Albert” is on the back, the number is still undecided. There are whispers that he might claim the iconic No. 10, which became available after Nico Gonzalez’s departure, but Gudmundsson stated, “I’ll decide on my number this week; I haven’t thought about it yet.”
When asked about comments from Genoa’s CEO Blasquez and how they affected him, he admitted, “Some remarks hurt me. I had a good relationship with him, and I was a bit shocked by his comments, especially regarding some figures that aren’t accurate. People need to be cautious about fake news.” He also reflected on his time with former coach Alberto Gilardino, saying, “He was strict and demanding, which helped me grow. I’m grateful for what he taught me about the importance of being a goal scorer.”
Lastly, Gudmundsson mentioned a legal situation awaiting him in Iceland, scheduled for September. He remains confident and unshaken, stating, “It won’t impact me psychologically. I’ve always been calm and confident in the justice system. I believe I’m innocent, and I can prove it. My focus is solely on football and my family, which are the most important things in my life.”
