Thordarson Leaves Stoke

27 year old Stefan Thordarson still had 12 months left on his contract at The Britannia Stadium but decided to return back to Iceland after an injury plagued past 12 months.

Memorable moment: Scoring the free-kick that won the Worthington Cup game vs Charlton - which was also voted 'Goal of the Cup'.

Director of football John Rudge said: 'Stefan had his injury problems last season and would not have been fully fit for the start of the new season.

'We are in a position now, as are all clubs in the current financial climate, where we have to look very hard at the overall economic picture and cut our cloth accordingly.

'Stefan was not in a position to be an active part of the manager's squad and the decision has been made in the interests of good housekeeping.'