Gudmundsson says he must prove he is capable of staying at Lazio for many years after joining the club from Fiorentina on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
The Iceland international was presented by Lazio after completing his move on the final day of the transfer window. He has chosen to wear the number 80 shirt and says the decision to join the Rome club was straightforward because of its history.
“The choice of Lazio was easy; it’s a club with a significant history,” Gudmundsson said at his first news conference.
The Icelandic player had already featured for Fiorentina in the opening rounds of the league season before making the switch. His next possible appearance could come in Lazio’s away match against Udinese on Monday.
Gudmundsson said he is ready to be involved and is prepared to adapt to whatever role the manager requires.
“I feel good, motivated, and ready. I can do whatever the coach wants me to do on Monday. I’ve spoken with the coach, and he will play me in multiple positions. He knows me well as a player and knows how I like to play, and he will know where to put me.”
His move to Lazio includes an option for the club to make the transfer permanent, but Gudmundsson recognises that his performances will determine whether he remains in the Italian capital beyond the loan period.
Asked about his prospects of staying at Lazio, he said: “It’s up to me to prove that I can stay here for many years.”
Lazio’s interest in Gudmundsson was not new. The club had previously considered signing him, and the player said he had always viewed Lazio positively, despite having made different career choices before joining them.
“Lazio was already interested in me before, and I’ve always had a good feeling about this club, even though I made different choices,” he said.
That previous interest eventually led to an agreement with Fiorentina on deadline day, giving Gudmundsson the opportunity to establish himself at Lazio while the club retains the option to sign him permanently.
For now, his immediate focus is adapting to his new surroundings and being available for Monday’s match at Udinese. He said his discussions with the coach had already covered the different positions in which he could be used, with the manager understood to have a clear view of how best to deploy him.
The decision on his longer-term future will come later, but Gudmundsson has made clear that he sees his own performances as central to the outcome. Lazio’s option to buy gives the club flexibility, while the Icelandic player has the chance to demonstrate that he can become a long-term member of the squad.
