Last season, Jon Thorsteinsson was arguably OH Leuven’s best player. The Icelandic midfielder, formerly of the Fulham academy, was their biggest threat going forward and a driving force behind them staying in the Pro League. Despite reported interest from the Premier League, Thorsteinsson is now taking his services to the German capital. OH Leuven’s loss should certainly be Hertha’s gain.
The Icelandic international leaves Belgium with an impressive record at OH Leuven. He played 76 times and scored 20 goals from out wide. In his first season he scored 12 goals and grabbed four assists, while last year he scored seven goals and grabbed seven assists. Thorsteinsson is direct and always looking to create a score, which was crucial for a side in Leuven who struggled to find a striker who could regularly find the back of the net. Without Thorsteinsson on the pitch, the side often lacked a spark or a goal threat. Thorsteinsson can play out wide or more centrally as a striker or just off the striker, which he often did for OH Leuven in the Pro League. When out wide, he was able to beat his man with his strong dribbling ability, while when more central his eye for goal was a great asset for a side that lacked the forward capable of doing the same.
His style of play should certainly suit the2 Bundesliga, which is one of the toughest leagues in European football. He will suit the physical nature and directness of the league, one which has seen the likes of Hamburg and Schalke 04 struggle to get out of in recent seasons. This year, the league boasts both those sides, as well as Hertha and 1. FC Köln. Add in my Fortuna Düsseldorf and a strong Hannover side, it really is going to be an exciting season in the German second tier. In Thorsteinsson, Hertha should have a player who can make a difference and, in my opinion, be a success in their quest for a return to the Bundesliga.
