Eidur Gudjohnsen Signs for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright

In a week that has mostly contained very good news for all Bolton Wanderers fans, the week has ended with quite a saddening blow, at least it is for me.

As the majority of the first team squad reported for duty on June 29th, Eidur Gudjohnsen was conspicuously missing. Everyone just presumed, and they were right too, that Eidur was granted extra time off due to his international involvements with Iceland. Whilst that was indeed true, the Iceman won't be returning to Euxton at all now.

That's because he's opted for one last pay day in China, rather than seeing out his playing days in Lancashire.

The Xinhua news agency are reporting that the 36-year old has signed for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright, in the Chinese Super League, and he will follow the likes of Paulinho and Demba Ba into football obscurity.

At Ever Bright he'll be linking up with massive, household names such as: Li Chao, Mario Rondon, Mao Jianqing, Ruben Micael, Xu Bo, Jacob Mulenga and who could possibly forget the magnificently named defender, Rodrigo Defendi?

Gudjohnsen rejoined the club back in December after more than a decade away and made a big impact at the Macron Stadium, scoring five goals and creating some more timeless memories in his 20 games back at the club. As someone who never got to see him the first time round, it was a joy seeing such a talented player wear the white.

I just really do hope this doesn't cost Eidur his place in the Iceland squad. The whole thought about coming back to Bolton was to play in a good quality league to prove that he was worthy of a call up from his country. He deservedly earned what he set out to achieve, and I just hope now, with Iceland on the verge of qualification for their first ever major tournament, that this move doesn't back fire in that regard.

Whilst I am coming across as incredibly bitter, and I am, I still absolutely love Eidur and he does owe us nothing. I do wish him all the best in China and hope the move is everything he wants it to be.

However, as Marc Iles has pointed out on Twitter:

Hearing Gudjohnsen's contract runs until the end of the Chinese season in November. Euros are in the summer... Last hurrah? #bwfc

— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) July 3, 2015

Maybe we will see each other again, eh?