'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAf/2gAIAQEAAAAADC//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAF//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAC//xAAhEAACAQQABwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAURBgcSFDJBkv/aAAgBAQABPwCLl/Obq84Y7fFIZYGuEbqd9MWcrt9Bj4L81l8lBDlr2KWEmRJ3ViB7DGv/xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgARcf/aAAgBAgEBPwB1FLgn/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABECIVH/2gAIAQMBAT8Ahben/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
ISL franchise Kerala Blasters are set to sign Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson as a replacement for Mark Sifneos, who parted ways with the Kochi-based franchise, earlier this week.
Gudjon Baldvinsson is a former Iceland international, who began his career in 2003 with Ungmennafélagið Stjarnan in Icelandic league Úrvalsdeild karla, now known as The Pepsi League. He moved on to KR Reykjavik in 2008 and then moved to Sweden when he signed for GAIS in 2009, before moving back to KR Reykjavik in 2010.
According to sources in the European media, Kerala Blasters FC have secured the services of Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson, on loan, till the end of the ISL season from the Pepsi League club Stjarnan. When the league concludes in March, he will return to his homeland.
David James, Kerala Blasters head coach, will look to replace Dutch striker Mark Sifneos, who parted ways with the franchise in the middle of the season. A major influence in the signing of Baldvinsson could be the signing of Hermann Hreidarsson as the assistant coach to James.
The 31-year-old Baldvinsson had been in good form in the Pepsi League scoring a total of twelve goals in nineteen matches.
Kerala Blasters are currently in the seventh spot in the Indian Super League with a tally of 14 points from twelve matches and have scored just 13 goals.
What's next?
Kerala Blasters FC management is expected to announce the signing of Gudjon Baldvinsson in the coming days ahead as the Indian transfer window continues.
Author's take
Kerala Blasters have been poor this season and Sifneos' departure further hampered their attacking chances. A signing of a good striker was necessary. Baldvinsson could just be the right man to rescue their season under new coach David James as we approach the business end of the league.
