Soccer Inks Iceland Standout Elva Astthorsdottir
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Aaron Gordon added another player to the attack for the 2015 season with the signing of Icelandic midfielder Elva Astthorsdottir.
Astthorsdottir comes to Mississippi State following a stellar career playing for FH, one of the top clubs in her home country.
“Elva is going to bring experience playing in the Icelandic women’s league. That league, much like the SEC, is a physical one, and that should benefit her greatly in making the transition to the college game,” Gordon said. “We are looking forward to her competing with our team and brining an additional attacking presence to our young, exciting lineup.”
This season the Reykjavik, Iceland, native was called up to the first team, where she scored three goals, including one game-winner, and added an assist.
In 10 games with the U19 squad, she netted eight goals and collected six assists in leading FH to league runner-up honors.
Astthorsdottir also helped the 2013-14 U19 team to second place in the league as she deposited seven goals in 12 contests.
The two runner-up finishes followed a 2012 campaign that saw her lead her club to the Icelandic League championship and a runner-up finish in the Icelandic Cup.
She was named FH Player of the Year in 2011, a season after she received the club’s Best Attendance Award.
Astthorsdottir excelled off the pitch as well, earning valedictorian honors at her high school, Flensborgarskolinn i Hafnarfirdi. She also received awards for outstanding achievements in mathematics, science, English, Spanish and sports academy.
In 2013 she was selected to represent Iceland for the United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, a two-week trip that took her to Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Canada.
Astthorsdottir is the daughter of Astthor Hlödversson and Helga Gudmundsdottir. She has two siblings, Hilmar Astthorsson and Berglind Alda Astthorsdottir.