Read Joe Bell’s farewell to Viking and Stavanger after his transfer to Brøndby below.
Vikingpodden wants to use this opportunity to thank Joe Bell for his time in Viking and especially for his important contribution to Viking’s successful 2021 campaign in Eliteserien. We wish Joe Bell good luck in his future endeavours – football and otherwise.
PS: If you want to get to know Joe better you can listen to our podcast from January 2021 here
First and foremost I would like to address the fans. I cannot thank you all for the immense support you have provided me and the club over the last two years. There is no doubt that Viking have the best supporters in Norway and you all play a huge part in the success of the club. One of my fondest memories will be walking out in our final game of the season up in Tromsø to a sea of blue and white making the most noise 500 people could ever make. Also, of course filling up SR-Bank Arena!
I think the thing I will miss most is my teammates. They are truly a special group and work hard to maintain their values through the ups and downs of football. Through a tough two years being away from home due to Covid, they became a second family and I have made friendships there that I hope to keep for the rest of my life. I know from the way they all approach their football and the passion they have for the club, it will be another successful year.
In regards to the transfer, at the beginning of the deadline day I was all ready to be joining the team after the international break. 24 hours later I was a Brøndby player. It was a whirlwind day and resulted in a new opportunity and another new country. For me this was a part of the plan since the day I left New Zealand 5 years ago. Brondby IF is another prestigious club with a strong football history. To me it is the perfect next step in my footballing career. A big reason for signing at Viking back in 2020 instead of moving into MLS was the understanding between myself and the club that when the correct opportunity came I would be allowed to continue on. I pride myself on my ability to give everything to the club I am involved in. Unfortunately this is what makes leaving so hard. But it is an inevitable truth and I am incredibly grateful to Eirik Bjørnø and Erik Nevland for allowing me to continue my path onwards.
I would especially like to thank Morten and Bjarte for the hard work and trust they put into me. They are two incredible coaches with such immense passion for the club. Without them and their dedication I would never be where I am today.
I have taken the number #6 jersey at Brøndby and plan to play a similar role to the one at Viking last year. Of course there will be many new things to adjust to and teammates to understand but it is a very exciting time.
Thank you all again for such great memories!
Joe
