Jon Dadi Bodvarsson announces his retirement from football with a heartfelt post on social media, reflecting on his career.
The 34 year old, who last played for where his career first started, with Icelandic side Selfoss. He also had loan spell for Aarhus U19s, then turned out for Viking, Kaiserslautern, Wolves, Reading, Millwall, Bolton, Wrexham, and Burton. He also made played 64 times for the Iceland national team.
He made a total of 573 appearances and scored 107 goals for club and country. But now the time ahs come to hang up his boots.
In his post, he wrote: “Good things all come to an end. I’m announcing my retirement from the game I love.
“The game I’ve loved since I was 6 years old watching the 10th graders kicking about and witnessing it in action.
“I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky to live out my dream, with all it’s rollercoaster of emotions, adversity and success. But in the end, it really did leave me with nothing but gratitude.
“I want to thank all my managers, coaches, players and staff members that I’ve been grateful enough to have met and worked with. It was great sharing the highs and lows of football together with you.
“I also want to thank all the fans of all the fantastic clubs that I played for throughout the course of my career.
“Without you the game wouldn’t be the same. I always wanted to express myself the best way I could on the pitch so you could leave the stadium with a smile on your face. I hope I did that.
“And lastly, my beautiful wife. The amount of sacrifices that you’ve made to support me through this journey.
“My rock through tough times and my biggest supporter. The greatest mom that our kids could have.
“Thanks for everything. JDB”
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
–2009 – Selfoss
2011 → Aarhus U19 (loan)
Senior
2009–2012 – Selfoss – 108 games (21 goals)
2013–2015 – Viking – 92 games (23 goals)
2016 – 1. FC Kaiserslautern – 15 games (2 goals)
2016–2017 – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 48 games (3 goals)
2017–2019 – Reading – 56 games (17 goals)
2019–2022 – Millwall – 76 games (7 goals)
2022–2024 – Bolton Wanderers – 94 games (25 goals)
2024–2025 – Wrexham – 7 games (0 goals)
2025 – Burton Albion – 13 games (5 goals)
2025- Selfoss – 17 games (7 goals)
International
2009–2010 – Iceland U19 – 7 games (1 goals)
2011–2014 – Iceland U21 – 12 games (2 goals)
2012–2022 – Iceland – 64 games (4 goals)
Here’s how fans, players, staff members reacts after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson announces retirement from football with a heartfelt post on social media…
jamestrafford: Jon daddy on my mind, congrats my man ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
dapo_afolayan: What a career mate! All the best ❤️
bakayoko_20: My partner congratulations on your amazing career 🙏🏾❤️
kachunga9: Enjoy retirement mate and good luck for the future 😊
decjohn: All the best for the future mate 🙌🏻
jackiredale14: Legend Jon congrats bro 💚💚
mendesgomes11: Great career 🙌🏾❤️ May God bless you and your family!
carlikeme: Congrats my friend and good luck in your next chapter ⚽️ ❤️
nelsonkhumbeni: All the best mate! Enjoy retirement ❤️
owendodgson: Legend ❤️ All the best in your next chapter mate🙌🏼
harryashfield45: Congrats on an amazing career, all the best for the future ❤️
alexknowles21: Congratulations mate my favourite player for Bolton Wanderers good luck in your future 👊🏻⚽️
ben_h_howard: Congratulations to such an amazing guy and such an achievement you’ve had in that career all the best into your new chapter 💙🤍
davebolts: Class guy, Class player ⚽👍🏼 Enjoy retirement.
karolmets: All the best Jon!👊
maxcleworth8: Congrats mate, enjoy retirement 🙌🏼
jaaboyy1: Happy retirement Jon, thankyou for your time at Bolton!💙
ryzaa123: Ain’t nobody like Jon Dadi, makes me happy makes me feel this way 🧡🐺 Anfield 2016 Icelandic Clap lives in forever. Enjoy the retirement
lkelly_95: all the best my man ❤️❤️
jonbjorgkjartansdottir: Til hamingju með glæsilegan feril í fótboltanum Jón Daði. Þú@þurftir frá upphafi að hafa mikið fyrir hlutunum en uppskarst ríkulega. Alltaf góð fyrirmynd! Gangi þér vel í komandi framtíð og takk fyrir allt 💕
sparkymcnulty: Congrats on a fantastic career mate 👏
rlevitt20: Thankyou for everything at burton Albion wish you all the best
anthony_forde1: Congratulations on a great career it was a pleasure mate! Enjoy the next chapter 🙌
ryanbarnett38: Congrats on a great career mate 🙌🙌
lesleydavis56: All the best Bod in your retirement will never forget the day my granddaughter asked you to shoot penalties at her and with no hesitation you did it’s something me and her will never ever forget one of the nicest men in football always took time out to talk to fans have photos taken with them signed autographs never ever refused anyone enjoy your retirement enjoy the time with your wife and children
audun.dan: Til hamingju með þig og takk fyrir allar minningarnar. Stolltur af þínum afrekum og stolltastur hvað þú hefur náð að vera trúr þínum gildum. Nú er þessum kafla lokið en ævintýrin munu halda áfram í næsta kafla. Hlakka til að fylgjast með og jafnvel slást með í för í einhver ævintýri.
mattjpsmith: Love it mate! Pleasure to be a small part of it! Good times 🙌🏼
_daveedwards: Enjoy retirement mate… pleasure to have shared the pitch and dressing room with you 💙
mattformer84: My daughters first favourite player at Bolton. Thanks for the memories and all the best for your future.
robgeojeff: Good luck with everything fella, always welcome back at the Reebok. OINO.
craigcarroll14: All the best in your retirement mate. Thanks for giving everything when you put a Wanderers shirt on 💙
robq94: It was a pleasure sharing the dressing room with you, even if it was only for a short while 🙏 All the best, Joni! 💪
adampayne_: Thank you Jon for your time at BWFC. Enjoy your retirement with your young family. Good luck in your next chapter. 👏🙏
