Albert Sigurður Guðmundsson (5 October 1923 – 7 April 1994)[1] was an Icelandic professional footballer who played for, amongst others, Rangers, Arsenal, Nancy and A.C. Milan.[2] After retiring from his sporting career, he became a politician and was a member of Alþingi for 15 years, serving as Minister of Finance of Iceland and Minister of Industry.
Sporting career
Albert played football from a young age with local club Valur. In 1944, he made his way to Scotland to study business at Skerry's College, Glasgow. He began his foreign footballing career with Rangers.[3] After a short stint there, he went to England where he played for Arsenal as an amateur; he played several friendly matches and two First Division matches in October 1946. He was only Arsenal's second foreign player.[4]
Political career
In 1974, he was elected to the Alþingi (the Icelandic parliament), representing Reykjavík. He ran for president in 1980 election but only finished third and lost to Vigdís Finnbogadóttir.[5] In 1983, he became Minister of Finance of Iceland.[6] In 1985, he was appointed Minister of Industry, a position he held until 1987, when a tax scandal forced his resignation.[7]
Feeling that the Independence Party's leadership had failed to support him, he left the party soon after his resignation and only a few weeks before a general election.[8] He then immediately founded the Citizens' Party and sat in parliament for them for two years before being appointed ambassador to France.[9]
Personal life
Albert's son is former international striker and former politician Ingi Björn Albertsson, who held the record for most goals in the Icelandic top division from 1987 until 2012. Ingi's daughter and Albert's granddaughter is former international footballer Kristbjörg Ingadóttir.[10] Kristbjörg's son, and Albert's great-grandson, is footballer Albert Guðmundsson.[11] All four generations have scored for the Icelandic national team.[12]
