“This club means so much” – Gudmundsson returns to the Clarets

Johann Berg Gudmundsson wants to help Burnley return to the Premier League after rejoining the Clarets on a one-year deal.

Gudmundsson left Turf Moor earlier this summer after his contract expired. The Icelandic international said an emotional goodbye during the final day defeat to Nottingham Forest.

However, a chance meeting with chairman Alan Pace opened the door for him to return to East Lancashire.

He said on the club’s website: “I’m back and over the moon. This club means so much to me.”

“Leaving the club in that situation where we were relegated was difficult. I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to help get us back into the Premier League where we belong. I knew my football career was definitely not over.

“I was on the same plane from Amsterdam as Alan Pace and we had a good chat about the club and what we could do to get it back into the Premier League where it belongs and here I am, re-signing as a Burnley player.

“I have also spoken to the new manager (Scott Parker) and I just want to help this team get back to the Premier League.

“It will be tough. The championship is extremely tough, but the talent and experience we have in this team allows us to look forward to this season with optimism.

“We know we have to work hard. In this league, it’s not enough to have talent – you have to work hard every day, every game, and that’s why I’m here to make sure we do that.”

Parker was named as Turf Moor’s new head coach on Friday night, succeeding Vincent Kompany after the Belgian left to take over at Bayern Munich.

Burnley open the Championship season on Monday 12 August with an away game at Luton Town, who were also relegated from the top flight last season.