New signing Andri Gudjohnsen wants to leave a lasting impression at Blackburn Rovers and in his career, outside of his father's legacy.
Rovers' new Icelandic forward is perhaps most recognisable because of his surname. He is one of three sons of ex-Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur.
That has opened doors for Andri but also draws comparisons to his dad, unsurprisingly. It meant it was almost impossible not to be swallowed into the world of football, even if there was never any internal pressure from his family.
Andri and his brothers all play professionally at various levels. It has bled down into their youngest sibling, his sister, too.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers field late transfer interest which provokes dilemma
"We're three boys now, us brothers, that are all playing football professionally," he explained.
"We were born into it, we don't know anything else really. Our dad always told us that there was no pressure; we could be whatever we wanted to be, but it just came naturally to us.
"It's such a big football family, so I ended up in the football world. Everyone's really into football, my brother, my little sister, she's only ten. She's already into it.
"Everyone already knows my dad and his career. My mum has been around football for so long, supporting my dad and now us boys. It's really nice to be part it and have everyone's support."
Though Andri is proud to have Gudjohnsen on his back, he is also keen to create his own story. There is a drive and determination to leave his own legacy, as his dad did.
Whilst comparisons may be inevitable, it is not something that he focuses on.
"It's really important for me to be my own person. I know there will be comparisons because of the Gudjohnsen name, everyone goes back to my dad.
"But me and my brothers, we're just trying to do our own things. I think this step is a part of my career that will take me further. I want to perform here and keep progressing in the footballing world to create a name for myself.
"Not just Gudjohnsen but Andri. Obviously, it will always be there, the link with my surname. But I also want to be my own footballer and my own person."
Gudjohnsen's career has taken him across Europe from a young age. He spent his youth career in the system at Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Gava and Espanyol.
His technical qualities mixed with his physical attributes is what appealed to Valerien Ismael, who labelled him the 'complete striker'. In his senior career, he's been in Scandinavia before playing for Gent in the Belgian Pro League.
At 23, he's done plenty of travelling but there is still room for development and growth. Having been quite nomadic, he is hoping to settle down at Ewood Park to lay down some roots.
"It's been fun, I've been around a bit. I was in Spain for my early Cadademy days and that was different. I took in a bit of the Spanish approach to football and that's helped my game to be versatile. I've picked up football details from all of the places I have played.
"I've played in Sweden, Denmark and Belgium last year. So it's nice to be able to experience different leagues and different countries all while you're playing football.
"In my senior career, I've only been one season at every club that I've played for so I definitely want this to be a club where I want to stay.
"I would want to create a relationship with the club, with everyone around the club, the fans. So it's something that I'm aiming to do.
"I'm really looking forward to it. You know, the supporters, especially in England, in English football, they're always kind of at another level, in my opinion.
"It's one of the reasons why I came, it's something I wanted to be a part of.
"I want to be able to make others happy, whether it's the team, teammates, coaching staff, fans. I just want to be part of a team that wants something bigger for all of us.
"It's always exciting coming to a new club, meeting new teammates, getting to meet new people and playing on a new home pitch in front of new fans, it's always exciting. So, yeah, it's something I'm really looking forward to."
Share