Victor's First Interview

On 23 November, 2010, in front of 4,960 people, Argyle beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1. 

Craig Noone and Rory Patterson scored the goals in a game which, be honest, you had forgotten ever happened. If you were there, you almost certainly have not thought of it since it occurred. 

“I was on loan at Dagenham from Liverpool,” says Victor Palsson, “and I played here against Plymouth in League One.”

It was the last game that a 19-year-old Victor Palsson played in England. It was his third game of a very short spell at Dagenham & Redbridge.  

Nearly 14 years, and 10 clubs, later, Victor is back in England, and back at Home Park, as he becomes Argyle’s latest summer acquisition, having left Belgian club Eupen, and is set to renew his English football career with the club he played against all those years ago. 

Speaking to Argyle, Victor’s memory of the game has dimmed in time – he asked for a prompt of what the score was – but he does recall an Argyle player of the era. 

“Kari [Arnason] is a very good mate of mine - he actually played in the game that I played here,” said Victor. “That was funny; me and him, we've known each other for years and we're good mates.”

Like Arnason, Victor is an Icelandic international, having played 44 times for his country. The 33-year-old has played in eight European nations, and has played in European club competition, during his time with FC Zurich. 

It’s always a great pride to play for your country. Some games are better than others, of course, but I've had very good experiences as well. I've been very close to playing twice in the Euros, losing two finals in play-offs, which is unfortunate. Hopefully, we can qualify for the, for the World Cup in 2026. 

“I haven't played in one of the big tournaments; that's still something that I hope to do before I retire.

“[Playing for Zurich] was very nice. Nice to play in Europe as well, and that was my first title.”

Palsson’s career has taken him across Europe, and taken in two stints in MLS, in the United States. The most recent was at DC United, where he played under the management team of Wayne Rooney and Peter Shuttleworth, who are now charged with taking Argyle forward. 

Asked about renewing acquaintances with the coaching staff, Palsson said: “I worked with the manager before and kept in good contact with him, and Pete, his assistant. That's how it started.

“I think they've got a great balance. What Pete has, and what the gaffer has, they meet each other really well. 

“[I like Rooney’s] man management; he is great with the players, great with the young players. He wants to get to know everyone.

“Then you've got Pete, who's more doing the coaching and doing the analysing. They're very professional. They're a great team, and it was a good environment to work in.”

Standing over six foot tall, Victor is comfortable playing in a variety of defensive positions, and says that he hopes that his experience in the game has also play a part in assisting Argyle this season. 

He said: “I've played the majority of games as a defensive midfielder in my career, but I've been playing for the national team, and for the gaffer at DC, as a right back, as a centre back. I can play as a holding midfielder as well. It's basically just where the manager needs me, that's  where I'll play. 

“I'm a leader; I speak a lot. On the pitch or off the pitch, I like to take the responsibility.

“I've been captain in most of the teams that I've played in, and I like to take that responsibility. I demand high standards; I want to come into work and do things properly. And I'm a winner. I want to win. 

“The first for me is to come in and get to know everyone, to get into things, to earn respect and show respect, that’s important as well.

“I'm really happy and grateful. Being 33, getting the opportunity to come back to England and play in a fantastic league that I follow has always been a goal of mine. 

“I'm looking forward to playing in the league. The league is big. [There are] big clubs. Massive, historic football clubs, and the goal for me is to be able to help the team to reach their goals. The goal is to get to the highest place possible.”