Football
ESPN staff 8y

Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Nick Pope join Burnley from Charlton

Burnley have completed the signing of Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

Gudmundsson, who was part of Iceland's impressive Euro 2016 campaign, has signed a three-year deal at Turf Moor with an option for a fourth in the club's favour.

The 25-year-old contributed 11 assists for Charlton in the Championship despite their relegation to League One and hopes to now prove his worth in the top flight.

Gudmundsson, who had joined Charlton from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar in 2014, told Burnley's official website: "I've played in big games in the Europa League and with Iceland so that's definitely going to help me when I play for the first time in the Premier League.

"Experience is everything and I have quite a bit of that so I'll be fine I think."

Gudmundsson said he is welcoming the chance to play at Burnley, adding: "It feels like a family club and like everyone is tight to each other.

"The atmosphere around the club is fantastic and playing against the team last season I saw just how good the club was -- I definitely wanted to join.

"The team spirit in the Iceland team seems to be similar to here where everybody is working for each other and it's a tight group. That's what football is about, it's a team sport and everyone works hard for one another here."

Gudmundsson made 86 appearances for Charlton, scoring 17 goals, and the Addicks said on their official website: "The club would like to thank Johann for his contribution to the club and wish him the best of luck for the future."

Burnley later announced a deal for 24-year-old goalkeeper Nick Pope, who also joins from Charlton for an undisclosed fee.

Pope, who has signed a three-year deal with an option for a further year, told Burnley's official website: "I want to develop as a goalkeeper and with the keepers that are already here I definitely feel I can learn from them.

"They've both experienced the England set up and it's only a good thing for me to be around them day to day in training and at games. I'm really looking forward to it.

"Burnley is a club on the way up so they are two of the main reasons amongst many, many more."

Burnley already have England international Tom Heaton and ex-England keeper Paul Robinson on the books but boss Sean Dyche said: "He's a young keeper who we think has got a lot of promise.

"He's a good keeper now but we think he can mature and get even better keeper during his time here. We had to add to that department. We've got the experience of Paul Robinson and Tom Heaton with one in between and one that is up and coming.

"He's been out on loan several times so he's had a lot of experience for a young keeper and he played a number of games in Charlton's side last year.

"I remember when we took Tom Heaton people were saying about his side being relegated but the challenge of that teaches keepers a lot.

"We felt he's learnt well during his loan spells and done well last season and we think there is an even better keeper to come in the future."

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