Tyler Brown: The Englishman In Iceland
Ten years ago it would have been extremely unusual to hear about an English football player going overseas to learn their trade.
A notion that was echoed by the footballing icon Johan Cruyff who once said: “Why are there, over the last 40 years, only about five English players who have done well abroad?”
This pattern would see a major shift as a domino effect took place in 2017, after English youngster Jadon Sancho signed for Borussia Dortmund, in a deal worth £8m, from Manchester City.
British players started following suit as Reiss Nelson, Marcus McGuane, Jude Bellingham and many more youngsters regularly test their trade in amongst Europe’s best leagues to get much needed experience or game time.
However, it is still unheard of for British players to make the move to a country that isn’t regarded in the top five in Europe. But former Crystal Palace youngster, Tyler Brown decided to take this brave and unique step by playing professional football in Iceland and signing for Second Division side Thróttur Reykjavík.
“Going to Iceland was a no-brainer. I thought to myself this is a good chance for me put my head down, focus on football and learn about the game abroad.”
Brown signed for Thróttur as a free agent in the summer of 2020, after leaving Crystal Palace and having a brief spell at Dover Athletic.
Clubs in the English pyramid require free agents to undertake a trialing period before making a decision, but it seems in Iceland once they have identified a talent, there is no need for an audition.
“A few agents were approaching me but one in particular spoke about the possibility of playing in Iceland, so I spoke to my family and decided it was the right move.
“Thróttur offered me a contract straight away which showed how keen they were on me and it made me feel loved, rather than going through the trial process in England.”
Living on British shores has taken a turn for the worse ever since the outbreak of coronavirus, with continuous restrictions imposed on everyday life.
Whilst Iceland have also faced similar difficulties, the way of living has certainly tuned the focus for Brown: “It almost feels like life is normal over here, with the 11pm curfew you can still do most activities in your everyday life.
“It’s secluded over here, it has a nice chilled lifestyle and I can put my all into football.”
The quality of football in Iceland certainly shouldn’t be underestimated, which England fans fell victim to during EURO 2016, when the national team was shockingly knocked out In the round of 16 by the country with a population of 356,000.
With Iceland being such a small island, Brown believes the level of quality within club football goes unnoticed.
“There are a few players in my team who have pace that I have never seen before and would definitely succeed in the English game and could even play in the Championship.
“Football is extremely competitive over here and every game means so much to the players, compared to when I was playing in the under 23s at Crystal Palace.”
The move across the North Atlantic ocean wasn’t plain sailing for Brown as he has had many hardships before agreeing to a contract.
The coronavirus has had a devastating effect on free agency over the summer with the EFL calculating that 40% of players in the professional English leagues became free agents since the pandemic.
Brown saw himself competing in this extremely congested market: “During COVID there were many players who haven’t comeback from an injury and were also looking for clubs so the market was saturated.”
Reykjavík
It wasn’t just the panic of finding a club, but it was also a challenge to maintain any positivity following the uncertainties surrounding his career.
“It was the hardest stage of my career, because I’ve returned from setbacks before in terms of being released from a club.
“But when you’re returning from injury without a club it is a whole different level of difficulty because you can’t physically help yourself, I was out of contract and suffering a hamstring tear.”
Despite this, Brown saw the light at the end of the tunnel and succeeded in finding a club in a unique setting. He said it was down to personal belief and the experience that he had previously gained in his young career that generated the motivation.
The left-back can see a future in Iceland, but certainly will not turn a blind eye to an opportunity in England if one was to arise: “I love it here in Iceland as the level is good, but at the same time I would love to push through the English leagues as I have the abilities to do so.
“My mind isn’t set whether I will stay abroad or come back to England. For me it is whatever the best opportunity for me to progress in my career and I will go from there.
