Jóan Símun Edmundsson


Jóan Símun Edmundsson is a Faroese professional footballer who plays for German club Arminia Bielefeld and the Faroe Islands national team.

Club career

B68 Toftir

Edmundsson started his career with B68 Toftir.

Newcastle

In December 2009, he joined Newcastle United on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent deal, after a successful trial during a reserve friendly against Hibernian. He signed a permanent deal in June as a hot prospect for the future.
Edmundsson made his first team debut for Newcastle in a friendly against Norwich City on 25 July 2010. On 7 January 2011, Edmundsson joined Gateshead on a 28-day loan. He made his Gateshead debut on 8 January 2011 against Kidderminster Harriers. Edmundsson scored his first goal for Gateshead on 15 January 2011 in the FA Trophy in a 6–0 win against Hampton & Richmond Borough.
He featured regularly for the reserves between 2010–12, however he failed to reach first team football for Newcastle.

Viking and return to Faroe Islands

Edmundsson signed for Viking Stavanger on 15 February 2012.
Following his stint at Viking he returned to the Faroe Islands playing for AB and HB.

Vejle and OB in Denmark

In December 2014 Edmundsson signed a two-year contract with Vejle Boldklub.
In January 2016 Edmundsson signed a 2.5-year contract with Danish Superliga club Odense Boldklub.
On 28 November 2015, Edmundsson scored what Danish TV3+ commentators later dubbed as "The Goal of the Century" in Danish football, and made comparisons with high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, George Best and Diego Maradona. In a 1–3 loss against Silkeborg IF in the Danish 1st Division, Edmundsson shook off most of the Silkeborg midfielders, and danced through the middle into the box, evading three more challenges, before hitting a placed shot in the back of the net.
In December 2015, Edmundsson won the TV3+ "Best Goal of the Year award", beating notable players such as Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Arminia Bielefeld

In May 2018, it was announced Edmundsson would join 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld from Odense BK for the 2018–19 season having agreed a contract until summer 2020. On 6 August 2018, Edmundsson became the first Faroese goalscorer in German professional football when he scored in his debut against FC Heidenheim.

International career

Edmundsson was capped at under-19, under-21, during which he scored a memorable goal in a shock 1–0 win over Russia, and full international level while playing in his homeland, making his debut against France in August 2009. He scored his first senior goal in the 2–1 defeat to Estonia on 11 August 2010, this was the first goal of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying.
On 14 November 2014, he scored the only goal of the game to defeat Greece in Piraeus, the Faroes' first competitive victory since June 2011.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.11 August 2010A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia
1–0
1–2
UEFA Euro 2012 qualification
2.1 March 2014Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar
1–1
4–1
Friendly
3.14 November 2014Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece
1–0
1–0
UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
4.4 September 2015Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
1–1
1–3
UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
5.28 March 2016Estadio Municipal de Marbella, Marbella, Spain
2–0
3–2
Friendly
6.7 October 2016Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia
2–0
2–0
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.7 September 2018Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
1–0
3–1
2018–19 UEFA Nations League D