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America is about to get another touch of Arsenal.
A number of former Gunners have moved stateside over the years to play in Major League Soccer. Last season, Freddie Ljungberg finished the year in Chicago, Ryan Smith lined up for Kansas City and former youth player Steve Zakuani starred in Seattle.
Next season they will be joined by 23-year old former Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert, who signed with Portland Timbers. Gilbert began his career in the Arsenal youth set-up in which he served as captain before linking up with the senior squad in 2005.
The Hammersmith-born player made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carling Cup win against Reading. He made eight more appearances for Arsenal that season, including two Premier League starts and both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final against Wigan. It was in the home leg of the semi-final that Gilbert notched his first professional assist by setting up his hero Thierry Henry.
To gain more experience, Gilbert was loaned out to Cardiff for the 2006/07 season where he became the Championship club’s first-choice right back. After a bright start, he was sidelined for a few months after sustaining a shoulder injury in December. Struggling to regain fitness, niggling injuries continued to take their toll, and he was in and out of the line-up for the remainder of the season.
Gilbert began 2007/08 on loan at League One Southend United. But another good start to a season was tarnished by injury, and he struggled to find playing time. He revived his career the following year at League One Leicester City, where he was able to stay fit and make 34 appearances. His good run in the first team paid off, and Leicester were promoted to the Championship after winning the League One title.
After getting a taste of first-team action, he returned to Arsenal in 2009 to fight for his place in the squad. Gilbert played a full 90 minutes in each of the first two Carling Cup matches, and even earned a start in a Champions League match against Olympiacos in December.
He closed out the 2009/10 season on loan at Championship side Peterborough who were struggling at the bottom of the table. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to help the Posh avoid relegation.
With his opportunities at Arsenal blocked by more established players, Gilbert found himself at a crossroads at the conclusion of the season. A versatile defender, his attacking style and experience on both sides of the defense should make him a fantastic acquisition for the Timbers.
A number of former Gunners have moved stateside over the years to play in Major League Soccer. Last season, Freddie Ljungberg finished the year in Chicago, Ryan Smith lined up for Kansas City and former youth player Steve Zakuani starred in Seattle.
Next season they will be joined by 23-year old former Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert, who signed with Portland Timbers. Gilbert began his career in the Arsenal youth set-up in which he served as captain before linking up with the senior squad in 2005.
The Hammersmith-born player made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carling Cup win against Reading. He made eight more appearances for Arsenal that season, including two Premier League starts and both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final against Wigan. It was in the home leg of the semi-final that Gilbert notched his first professional assist by setting up his hero Thierry Henry.
To gain more experience, Gilbert was loaned out to Cardiff for the 2006/07 season where he became the Championship club’s first-choice right back. After a bright start, he was sidelined for a few months after sustaining a shoulder injury in December. Struggling to regain fitness, niggling injuries continued to take their toll, and he was in and out of the line-up for the remainder of the season.
Gilbert began 2007/08 on loan at League One Southend United. But another good start to a season was tarnished by injury, and he struggled to find playing time. He revived his career the following year at League One Leicester City, where he was able to stay fit and make 34 appearances. His good run in the first team paid off, and Leicester were promoted to the Championship after winning the League One title.
After getting a taste of first-team action, he returned to Arsenal in 2009 to fight for his place in the squad. Gilbert played a full 90 minutes in each of the first two Carling Cup matches, and even earned a start in a Champions League match against Olympiacos in December.
He closed out the 2009/10 season on loan at Championship side Peterborough who were struggling at the bottom of the table. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to help the Posh avoid relegation.
With his opportunities at Arsenal blocked by more established players, Gilbert found himself at a crossroads at the conclusion of the season. A versatile defender, his attacking style and experience on both sides of the defense should make him a fantastic acquisition for the Timbers.