Arsenal midfielder Gilberto has arrived in Greece ahead of his pending move to Greek Super League runners-up Panathinaikos.
The Brazilian, 32, flew from London to Greece earlier this afternoon and landed in Eleftherios Venizelos airport around 15:50 (GMT).
Security was made tight at the airport with thousands of Pana fans waiting to get a glimpse of their new highest-paid star.
Gilberto will meet later this evening, Nikos Pateras, the Panathinaikos president, at his private yacht to discuss further terms and minor details.
The Defensive midfielder will undergo a medical tomorrow after which he will sign his contract which will be for three years expected to be worth £6m plus bonuses.
Arsenal will receive around £1.2 million and the player’s representatives, The Base Soccer Agency, £0.8m
Gilberto will return to Greece on Monday to join up with his new team mates for pre season.
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Tags: arsenal, gilberto silva, greece, Panathinaikos
July 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Losing him is like losing one of your family.
Sad to see him go and wish him all the best for the future.
Legend…
July 16, 2008 at 7:48 pm
In complete contrast to Hleb, there is nothing but gratitude and warm wishes of good luck for the very loyal and super professional Gilberto Silva.
Good luck fella and all the best!
July 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm
gilberto is a great player
But an even better man!
Legend……
July 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm
a Gentleman
July 16, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Yep, sad to see him go, good luck to Gigi of course though.
So Far:
Out:
Flamini
Lehmann
Gilberto
Hleb
In:
Özyakup
Coquelin
Ramsey
Nasri
July 16, 2008 at 8:13 pm
The experienced players are leaving. Fantastic. Gallas “the big mouth” will definitely be the only recognized leader again. Sad that we left a calm influence/leadership of Bert next season.
July 16, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Now we DESPERATELY need a defensive midfielder.
July 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm
thanks gilberto
July 16, 2008 at 8:18 pm
guys we should trust wenger im sure he knows himself that an experienced player is needed now gilberto is gone. The fact that we have asked about barry suggests that he is looking to sign a centre midfielder. Im also convinced ade will stay and sign a new contract!!!
Great work gooner chris
July 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm
It goes completely against what Wenger has previously done, but I think he’s gonna sign barry.
Not saying thats what I want to happen, just my opinion.
July 16, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Thank you for all your services Gilberto, a great player and you will be missed, I wish you well for the future.
Much more than what can be said of Hleb tbh.
July 16, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I agree that it is a sad loss but come on, he was absolute pony last season and looked well past his sell by date.
July 16, 2008 at 8:44 pm
hleb is a fool did u see him in that pic pointing to the barcelona club badge he is over the moon to have signed with them, just goes to show he doesnt have any love for arsenal. We must commend cesc on his loyalty, he has had countless chances to leave but he has stayed, he is a true gentleman.
Sad to see gilberto go but it was necessary we freshened up the squad.
My signings would be :
Barry
Arshavin
Milan have ronaldinho and unless barca come in with a bid it looks like he is staying, and thus i wouldnt be surprised if you see him sign a contract extension!!!
July 16, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Yep, sums him up tbh. Greedy and ungrateful.
July 16, 2008 at 9:03 pm
come to greece silva to fuck olympiakos!!!!!!!!
July 16, 2008 at 9:26 pm
forget the massive games he had, just by his loyalty makes gilberto = arsenal L.E.G.E.N.D forever.
July 16, 2008 at 9:42 pm
good riddance to bad rubbish. the slow, ponderous muppet
July 16, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Quality comments as usual me!
July 16, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Wind your neck in Me. Your lack of respect underlines your lack of understanding of the game and the great work Gilberto did. True Arsenal fans would not question his loyalty and efforts. You sound like a Yid !!
July 16, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I would like to thank him for his services, for good days and the bad all the laughs and hapiness he has brought to us. I especially love his attitude, other playes should be looking up to him and learning how to treat Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. He’s a super charachter and I hope he will find all that he wants in his life on Greece, he will definitely enjoy the weather more! Take care good old friend you’re a special Gonner and all of us will carry that in our hearts.
July 16, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Good luck gilberto served us well..
Not sure about the legend tag though peeps?
July 16, 2008 at 10:37 pm
anyone else leaving our great club, we have lost 5 intrnationals since december and possibly a sixth very soon. Hope Wenger has something planned cause he is really going to have to make some shrewd signings to make any kind of title challenge
July 16, 2008 at 10:43 pm
think everyone calling Gilberto a legend because he always said good things about the club but to be fair he wasnt exactly the greatest central midfielder we have had. Wenger used to use Gilberto ahead of Diarra as a sub, when really Diarra had more to offer. Gilberto good man, good player but was never really made the impact that, Vieria, Petit, Flamini and Cesc had and have made. All respect to him though
July 16, 2008 at 11:14 pm
The Invisible Wall
Arsenal Legend
July 17, 2008 at 1:52 am
gilberto was a gd ole boi, but i trust wenger and excpect us 2 sign barry quite soon.
July 17, 2008 at 3:32 am
well said 21. gunner jillu maybe not needed to be said tonite 22
July 17, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hello everybody !
See this, the cameroonian football player, Samuel Eto’o fils, leave in Uzbekistan
http://allainjulesblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/samuel-etoo-fils-en-ouzbekistan.html
July 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Bert has bee a leg end for us. Part of the invincibles. Was there for the switchover from Vieira run midfield to the Cesc run midfield. Total class. His contribution to the team was seen when he wasnt in there and everyone saw how much he protected the defence. Absolute Pro and a classy dignified man too. Out of those midfielders you mention Jillu – Vieria, Petit, Flamini and Cesc, i would rate Bert 3rd
Vieira
Cesc (will eclipse Paddy however)
Bert
Petit
Flamini
July 17, 2008 at 3:42 pm
welcome back Gilberto , do your best
July 17, 2008 at 4:08 pm
looking at gilbertos stats 170 apperances in the prem with 17 goal, 1 in every 10, is actually the same ratio as the far more attacking hleb with 13 goals in 130, showing that Hleb is no great loss