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Following over ten years playing in English football, ex-Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs chose to pursue a fresh endeavor back in 2021.
This decision led the capped 10-times England player to cross the Atlantic ocean and join Inter Miami, a transfer that allowed him to immerse himself in a completely distinct soccer environment.
The prospect of collaborating alongside David Beckham as well as Phil Neville served as a major influence on Gibbs’ choice to relocate, alongside the desire to participate in an expanding league.
Gibbs regarding his transition to MLS
Having spent the entirety of his career within English football, Gibbs was eager to embrace a new experience, recalling the factors that prompted his journey across the Atlantic.
“I harbored a desire to experience something novel and distinct,” Gibbs explained to FourFourTwo. “Following discussions with David Beckham and Phil Neville, the rapid development of American soccer really drew me in. Endless prospects exist here, and playing abroad had always been an ambition of mine.”
Gibbs went on to play two campaigns in Miami prior to retiring in 2022, though he continues to reside comfortably in Florida today.
“I am pleased with my choice as this place feels like home to me now,” he added. “I return to Great Britain whenever possible, yet I feel fully established here. I feel extremely appreciative to have competed abroad and experienced another competition.”
Even though Gibbs harbors no second thoughts regarding the transfer, he acknowledges encountering some early hurdles upon arriving.
“I anticipated a high level of physicality,” he confessed. “Others warned me about the travel demands, though I hadn’t realized just how grueling it would actually prove to be.
“The summer climate in Miami presents a real test during matches too. Arriving here in July, adjusting to the oppressive heat was quite tough for me.”
Gibbs also holds great enthusiasm for the trajectory of Major League Soccer, anticipating that the upcoming World Cup will further elevate the sport across the United States.
“It remains a developing league with tremendous potential ahead in the near future. The World Cup this year has the potential to act as a major catalyst for further expansion.
“Soccer has advanced dramatically since the 1994 tournament held here, prior to MLS even coming into existence, meaning the league is still in its infancy. That fuels my excitement to stay involved here and contribute to driving the sport forward.”
