Jokull makes senior Iceland bow

Academy keeper starts between the sticks for Iceland

Congratulations to Royals Academy goalkeeper, Jokull Andresson who registered his first senior international appearance for Iceland during their Tuesday afternoon friendly with Uganda.

The young stopper, who spent the first half of this season on loan at League One side Morecambe, was called into the senior Iceland camp for the first time last week.

And he didn't have to wait long for his senior debut, as he took his place in the starting eleven from the off when Iceland hosted their East African visitors in Belek, Turkey.

Andresson played the first-half of their 1-1 draw before being replaced in a number of changes close to the break.

Playing alongside goalscorer and former Royal, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Andresson gave a good account of himself in goal, despite Uganda equalising from the penalty spot at the 30 minute mark. 

The 20-year-old keeper could even make his second full appearance for Iceland on Saturday, when they play out another friendly, this time with South Korea.

Jokull is the latest of our Academy graduates to join an esteemed list of players who have gone on to represent their respective nations, the likes of Jamaica's Michael Hector, Wales strikers Hal Robson-Kanu and Simon Church and even fellow goalkeeper Alex McCarthy who played for England.

He becomes the second Academy graduate goalkeeper to earn an international cap, just as McCarthy did in 2018.

The Englishman, who made 75 senior appearances for the Royals during his eight year stint at the club, made his England debut as a half-time substitute during the Three Lions' 3-0 friendly win over the USA.

Photography: FA of Iceland.