Úlfur Ágúst Björnsson is a 21-year-old Icelandic 9 that plays the target man role. During the 2024 calendar year, the 6’3” center forward displayed dominant finishing in two leagues. At Duke University, Björnsson has scored 13 goals and added 3 assists in 18 starts during his sophomore season. Prior, the former U21 Iceland national provided 5 goals and 3 assists in 13 appearances for FH Hafnarfjördur in his domestic league.
Björnsson is physically dominant at this level due to the size and strength of his frame, allowing him to withstand most physical pressure in the middle of the pitch and tight spaces while on the ball. He has average long pace and below average acceleration, but what stands out most athletically is his agility. Naturally, a player of Björnsson’s size is quite strong and dominant aerially, so his quickness in turning to seal his marker both off ball to get open receiving in behind and while on the dribble to get space inside and begin a progressive carry. His body control and foot coordination at his position and size are unique yet impressive complements.
Björnsson is an efficient finisher, putting more than half of his shots on target, displaying an elite poacher’s instinct at both levels he played in. Service into him improved at Duke and has led to a more consistent display of first time finishing with either foot to end counters and crossing deliveries playing in a direct team. Björnsson finishes with his preferred low placement shots most often, whether after a touch or two into the box or on a first-time finish. On first time finishes, he can win aerially with his right foot or head and on either foot when coming into him on the ground. He is not opposed to finishing with power, but his attacking preference is converting his power into technique on the finish or distribution. The right footer can receive into his feet in any area but mostly centrally, utilizing that turning ability into lateral ground passes with either foot. Björnsson’s impressive technique on ball for his level shows in his ball retention in dribbles and his two-footedness in distribution—that also allows him to easily create in the box in the moments he is not poaching.
He provides more with his aerial ability on headed clearances of set pieces (primarily corners) than he does supporting attacking set pieces. Defensively, Björnsson does not track back often and looks to cut out passing lanes when tasked with pressing up the middle channel.
Björnsson will certainly play at a higher level and could perform well for bottom half clubs in Norway or Denmark. It will be interesting to see if Björnsson uses the rest of his NCAA eligibility and/or gets selected in the MLS SuperDraft. He has the potential to earn MLS playing time through impressing at Next Pro level or make a Norwegian/Danish move and work his way to the Belgian Pro League. A large, sneaky athletic poacher like Björnsson will get his shot whatever path he chooses.
Target Scouting 