In his first interview as a Brentford player, goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson reflected on his unorthodox path to the Premier League.

At 22, Valdimarsson has been capped five times by Iceland. But aged 15, he was playing handball in Reykjavík for his local club KR.

“I have a slightly different story,” he began.

“I started as a goalkeeper when I was 15 years old. I was playing handball before that.

“The team I was playing handball for also has a football club, and the under-19s needed a goalkeeper. I was playing with them for a while, and then the first team needed a second keeper. The rest is history, really.”

Adam Fröberg, Swedish football expert: Valdimarsson is a ‘very commanding’ goalkeeper

Valdimarsson added: “When I was younger, in both football and handball, I was an outfield player. So, I definitely think that’s helped me improve as a goalkeeper. But now the level is higher, so I have to keep improving.”

Having learned his trade with KR, Valdimarsson made his professional debut for Grótta in 2017.

He moved to Swedish side Elfsborg in July 2021 and has been a regular over the past three seasons.

Valdimarsson was named Goalkeeper of the Year in the Swedish top flight in 2023. He kept more clean sheets than any keeper in the division (13) and had the highest save percentage (78) as Elfsborg finished runners-up to Malmö on goal difference.

Following his move to west London, Valdimarsson revealed he can’t wait to get started with the Bees.

“It feels really good to be a Brentford player,” he said.

“Walking around here, seeing the staff and some of the players, it’s just really exciting. The first impression has been really good.

“After speaking with Manu [Sotelo, goalkeeper coach] and Thomas Frank, I really like how the club works and how they develop players.”