“Not Okay”: Sigurdsson Declines to Go Back to Russia

Arnor Sigurdsson returned home to IFK Norrköping in the summer of 2022 after a less successful period in Italian Venezia that was spoiled by major injury problems.

It was an immediate success in his return and during the cup game he continued to show class. There were four goals in five games in the cup before Peking was eliminated by BK Häcken.

However, the Icelander still belongs to Russian CSKA Moscow where his contract expires in the summer of 2024. In an interview with TuttoSvenska says Sigurdsson that there are no plans to return to Russia.

– No, not after what has happened and what is going on. I have to stand up for myself as a person because what is going on there is not okay. It’s nothing to do with the club, I loved my time there but now this is happening so I won’t be returning there.

Sigurdsson was in Italy when Russia invaded Ukraine and the war broke out, and he tells in the podcast how he felt when the war was a fact.

– It’s terrible in every way, not just for us footballers. Before I went to Russia, people had prejudices about the country, but they were completely wrong. The club was ready to do everything for me. Therefore, it only becomes more sad.

Arnor Sigurdsson’s loan agreement with IFK Norrköping expires in the summer and even if he does not intend to return to Russia, the Allsvenskan is not at the top of his wish list. The star midfielder looks past Swedish football when asked to look ahead to the next step in his career.

– The next step will be very important for me and I want to go to a league that suits me. I want to take a step up to a bigger club in a better league. I liked Italy even if it didn’t work, the first time. My dream is to play in La Liga or the Premier League.

He also reveals that Napoli followed him closely after the move from Beijing to CSKA Moscow and the Icelander also held talks with the big club who are currently storming towards a Serie A title.

– My first match with CSKA was against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League. There was a Napoli scout who called my agent after the match. I continued to play well and had talks with Napoli but nothing came of it, but in my head I was already thinking how great it would be to play for Napoli in Serie A, he says and continues:

– Then further on during my time at CSKA, there were a number of clubs that I snubbed because I thought: “no, it’s not Napoli”. I feel honored to have had talks with clubs like Napoli, top clubs. It shows that I have the talent and I showed last season that I have a lot to offer.

IFK Norrköping will face IK Sirius in the Allsvenskan premiere on April 2nd.