Leeds United have appointed Gretar Steinsson as technical director following the 49ers Enterprises takeover. The EFL ratified the deal on Monday, bringing the six-year Andrea Radrizanni era at Elland Road to an end.

Steinsson, 41, left his post with Tottenham after just a year having been recruited by Fabio Paratici, with the North London club undergoing a restructure. But what is Steinsson’s background in the sport, and what has been his journey so far in football? Here is all you need to know about the man who has been likened to an ‘iron handshake’ and who has become the latest addition to the new era with Leeds.

Steinsson began his career as a player in his native Iceland, firstly for Knattspyrnufélag Fjallabyggðar before joining Íþróttabandalag Akranes. The full-back moved to Switzerland to join Young Boys in 2004, and spent two years with the club before signing for Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar.

Steinsson enjoyed two years in the Netherlands, before earning his Premier League move with a transfer to Bolton Wanderers in 2008. The Iceland international spent four years with the Trotters, before calling time on his playing days with a season in Turkey with Kayserispor.

After hanging up his boots, the future Leeds director studied at the Johan Cruyff Institute to prepare for a career in the game away from the pitch. Steinsson then enjoyed a brief return to AZ Alkmaar, before being appointed technical director at Fleetwood Town in January 2015.