Pronunciation: KAIR-ree
After five seasons with English Premier League club Arsenal FC, Gilbert joins the Timbers for the club’s inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2011. A product of Arsenal’s youth system, Gilbert made his first-team debut at the age of 18 during the 2005-06 season. During his time at Arsenal, he was sent on loan to English clubs Cardiff City FC (2006-07), Southend United FC (2007-08), Leicester City FC (2008-09) and Peterborough United FC (2009-10). In total, he appeared 12 games for Arsenal among his 92 matches played during his career in England.
2009-10: Spent most of the season with Arsenal … Started both of his Carling Cup appearances, including a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the third-round and a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the fourth round … Featured against Greek side Olympiacos FC in a group match of the UEFA Champions League … Loaned to Peterborough United on January 15 through the end of the season, starting seven of his 10 games with the club.
2008-09: Played the entire season on loan from Arsenal with Leicester City FC of Football League One (third division); the transaction took place July 10 … Started 33 of his 34 appearances in league play, helping the club to a first place finish with a record of 27-4-15 and a subsequent promotion into England’s second division (Football League Championship) … Was a part of the Leicester City’s backline which allowed a league low 39 goals during the regular season … Scored his first league goal in a 1-1 draw against Stockport County on March 3 … In Carling Cup action, started a second-round loss (3-2) against the Premier League’s Fulham … Started one of his two FA Cup appearances, featuring in a scoreless draw against Crystal Palace in the third round.
2007-08: Sent on loan to Southend United of the Football League One from Arsenal and started all five of his appearances … Started in a third-round Carling Cup match … Returned to Arsenal in January 2008 and made the 18-man, match-day roster in a 2-0 win over Blackburn on Feb. 11.
2006-07: Registered an assist in 24 appearances (21 starts) in the Football League Championship while on a season-long loan with Cardiff City FC from Arsenal; the loan spell began July 21, 2006 … Was kept out of the lineup for several games due to a minor injury … Made two starts in FA Cup action against Tottenham Hotspur … Helped Cardiff City reach the semifinals of the FAW (Football Association of Wales) Premier Cup.
2005-06: After progressing through the youth ranks at Arsenal, made his first-team debut on Nov. 29, 2005, against Reading FC in the 2005-06 Carling Cup … Started in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Cardiff City on Jan. 7, 2006, which started a run of six straight appearances … Made his Premier League debut on Jan. 21 in a 1-0 road loss at Everton … In total, made nine appearances for Arsenal during his rookie season, including two Premier League starts … Recorded his first professional assist on a goal scored by Thierry Henry in a cup match against Wigan Athletic … Also saw action as a sub in a UEFA Champions League match Dec. 7, 2005, against Ajax … Played in a total of four Carling Cup games (3 starts) and two FA Cup matches (both starts).
NATIONAL TEAM: Was a member of England’s U-17 National Team during his youth career … Competed in the Algarve Tournament in 2004 with England’s U-17s, which also include the U-17 sides of Portugal, France and Finland … Saw action in qualification matches for the 2004 U-17 European Championship.