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Name - Sigurdur Eyjolfsson 
Position - Striker 
Appearances - 30
Goals - 6
Period - February 1999 - November 2000

Siggi Eyjolfsson attended the University of North Carolina, where he combined playing Soccer with studying. 

Siggi scored 75 goals while with the Spartans, picking up a number of accolades, including the 1996 MVP award for the Southern Conference, and All American status in 96, 97 and 98.  Siggi left the University of North Carolina as the only student-athlete in the Universities history to earn three All-America awards. (Picture : Siggi receives his All American award from Pele).

When his time in the USA came to an end Siggi moved back to Iceland and signed for IA Akranes. He scored 7 goals in 12 games and moved the Saddlers in February 1999.  

His debut came in our 1-0 win over Northampton, his lively performance impressed the fans. 

Siggi became an instant hit with the fans, who loved to chant his name. The fans love a "trier", and Siggi was an honest player who gave his all for the team.

His first goal for the Saddlers came in the LDV Vans Area Final against Millwall, a game the Saddlers lost over two legs.  

His second, and perhaps most memorable goal for the club came against Oldham on the penultimate day of the season. Siggi came on as a second half sub in a game we needed to win to be promoted. With the score at 2-1 and the fans on edge, along came Siggi to score the goal that secured our place in the First Division.  

Walsall boss Ray Graydon said that Siggi was a rough diamond and one for the future. All of his appearances in 98/99 were off the bench, and there was no doubting that Siggi was a promising talent. 

His two goals in the last 10 minutes against Plymouth at the start of 00/01 were extremely encouraging. Some fans thought Siggi might be ready for the first team, but Graydon did not agree and limited him to substitute appearances.

As it turned out Siggi was a rough diamond we didn't have time to polish. Ray Graydon didn't throw Siggi in to the nitty gritty business of the First Division, and his first team chances were limited. 

Although he was making a lot of appearances from the bench, Siggi was went on loan to Chester. Despite playing in a struggling Chester team he managed 3 goals in 10 appearances. (< Siggi is pictured in action for Chester)

He was back at the Bescot in March, and made his final Walsall appearance against QPR, a game we lost 3-2. 

Siggi left the Saddlers to join Belgian club Harelbeke. Siggi managed eight appearances and 2 goals in Belgium, but Harelbeke were relegated and Siggi moved to KR Reykjavik in April 2002 (Story). 

Siggi is still playing for Reykjavik who are the current Icelandic Champions. Here we see him pictured with the Icelandic Championship trophy. 

Siggi combines playing with being the Icelandic Football Associations Technical Director. A position of some responsibility, but one which shows he is an educated man with a future beyond his footballing career.  

Many people believe that if Siggi had of started playing league football when he was in his late teens, then he would have gone on to bigger and better things. As it stands he arrived as a 25 year old with a lot potential. 

 The standard in Iceland and America isn't really comparable to the First Division, and  effectively, we were his first club. Not many players come in to League Football so late and make their mark. 

Despite only starting one league game  Siggi remains one of our most popular ever foreigner players. Speaking to TheSaddlersFC Siggi said "I had a great time at Bescot and will always remember my time there".  

Siggi for Chester (c) CCFC EaryDoors
All other images (C) Siggi Eyjolfsson. 

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Name - Bjarnolfur Larusson  
Position -Midfielder Center. 
Appearances - 69
Goals - 5
Period - September 1998 - June 2000

Bjarnolfur Larusson began his career with his hometown club IBV.

Hibs boss Jim Duffy was impressed by a 21 year old Bjarni Larusson and signed him in October 1997. Bjarni made his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock, getting on the score sheet.

Bjarni only appeared eight times for Hibs, and never featured in a winning team. The arrival of Alex McLeish signaled the end of his stay, as Alex McLeish never played Bjarni in a first team game.   

Bjarni arrived at Bescot in September 1998. By the time he had joined it was quite evident that this Saddlers team were not going to be involved in a relegation battle.

Bjarni made his debut against Luton Town on the September 26th 1998. The Saddlers won the game 1-0 thanks to an Andy Rammell goal. 

He went on to play a key role in our midfield that season. He linked up well with another young midfielder - Dean Keates in the Saddlers engine room. 

The two players completed each other well, both were energetic box to box midfielders who were good passers of the ball. 

One of Bjarni's best Walsall appearances came in a 4-3 victory over Bristol Rovers. Having been red carded in a 4-1 defeat to Fulham the previous week, Bjarni bounced back with 2 goals and a Man of the Match performance.

He spent most of the season as a first choice central midfielder. He had a great engine and a will to win which the fans liked. 

He played in the memorable 3-1 win over Oldham, as the Saddlers won promotion to the First Division. The First Division was to be an all new challenge for Bjarni.

Graydon struggled to find his strongest midfield line up all season, and continually chopped and changed his midfield combinations. He had Keates, Bukran and later Vlachos to choose from. 

Bjarni made 26 appearances during 99/00, playing his final game for the club against QPR on March 18th. This was also fellow Icelander Siggi Eyjolfssons final game for the club.

Speaking about his time with the Saddlers, Bjarni said - "I had some great times at Walsall, and was sad to leave. Its a friendly club where i had a good relationship with everyone".

He left the club at the end of the season and signed for Scunthorpe United. Bjarni made 39 appearances for the Iron, then headed home to Iceland where he re-signed for his hometown club - IBV. Bjarni recently picked up an award for reaching 100 games with IBV. (< He is pictured here with that award)

Speaking to TheSaddlersFC Bjarni said it was difficult to pick one moment out as being the most memorable. He says winning promotion with the Saddlers was obviously memorable, but he will always look back on time in the UK fondly.  He added that he would love to return to the UK in the future, even if it wasn't just for the football.

Bjarni is currently playing for IBV and studying towards degree in Business and international marketing. Bjarni has also done some modeling.

Images (c) IBV Official Website