Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva made his move from Arsenal to Panathinaikos official this afternoon, and revealed that ‘the new chapter in his career’ is going to be his ‘most successful’ yet.
Gilberto spent six years at Arsenal after signing from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro following the 2002 World Cup.
Speaking to Pana’s official website, ‘Gigi’ enthused:
“Panathinaikos is the new chapter in my career and I believe that it is going to be most successful. I knew Panathinaikos before coming here but having met the president and the people of the club, I have seen their ambition and believed in it.
“My goals are the goals of my team. I’m fully aware of Panathinaikos’ expectations and I’ m confident that the club will enter its second century successfully.
“I am lost for words trying to thank the fantastic fans that welcomed me so warmly in the airport yesterday. I will respond by giving 100% in the field always with an eye at achieving the club’s goals.”
Arsenal received around £1.2 million for the sale of Gilberto while the player’s representatives, The Base Soccer Agency, profited £0.8 million from the big-money transfer.
Gilberto joins Flamini, who has signed for AC Milan and Alexander Hleb, who has gone to Barcelona, in leaving Arsenal this summer.
Click here to view a photo of Gilberto signing his new contract under the eyes of Panathinaikos president Nikos Pateras.
Tags: arsenal, Flamini, gilberto, hleb, Panathinaikos, Wenger
July 17, 2008 at 6:46 pm
All the best Gil but you shouldn’t have said:
“Panathinaikos is the new chapter in my career and I believe that it is going to be most successful.”
July 17, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Farewell sweet prince
July 17, 2008 at 6:56 pm
gr8 post chris
sad 2 see gigi go but i think i spk 4 most gooners wen i say ‘we wish u gd luck and fnx for wat you’ve done’
July 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Great guy. All the best.
July 17, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Saying his stint at Panathinaikos will be “most successful” (especially on translation) does not mean the same as his “most successful yet”. I am most excited about a bottle of red wine I am just about to open but is not the most exciting that I have ever done! A touch of over-interpretation here. I think he is just saying what he feels his new fans want to hear and good luck to him – was a great player for Arsenal in his prime. A lot better than kissing the Barca badge – yuk.
July 17, 2008 at 7:06 pm
good luck bert,but who will take that mid position,barry,velosa,i hope its not diaby???
July 17, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Maybe Clarky, but the way the quotes were written on the Pana website made it sound like this was his ‘biggest’ challenge yet.
July 17, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hente… he didnt say that he said that he hoped that his stay at Pana would be most successful, not the most successful chapter of his career.
July 17, 2008 at 7:09 pm
His biggest challenge possibly as Panathinaikos are hardly top 4 or even 8 in the CL material
July 17, 2008 at 7:10 pm
AJ, exactly my point. Whatever, good luck to a model pro. We’ve still got Adebayor who is far from …
July 17, 2008 at 7:12 pm
were ever he plays its better than being on the bench cutting the half time oranges up fairplay to him
July 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Gilberto needs to play regularly, which he will get to do at Panathanikos. Good luck to him, he sounds suitably happy to start a new chapter but without insulting his old club by kissing badges and claiming to ‘love’ a club he has just joined. Much classier behaviour than some.
July 17, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Im happy for Gilberto. He’s gone to Pana with the blessing and good wishes of most Gooners and been received by the Greek fans as a massive signing. Good on him.
Rather that than his Arsenal career fizzle out even more with a few minutes playing time here and there.
July 17, 2008 at 7:23 pm
He only said the new chapter thing cos he obviously has to warm up to his new fans. Except panathiakos have got some russian billionaire to buy them trophies dont rlly see his new chapter being even close to his arsenal chapter. Anyway Thanks Gil, You’ll be missed!
July 17, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Clarky, AJ.. Yeah, agree.. maybe, heh! It’s just that we’ve lost two experienced players in the last 24 hours and that was not the plan. I remember the gaffer saying after Flamster left that he won’t be followed.. and now what’s happening? We needed to add couple of players to our rather thin squad so there’s plenty of work to be done. Not that I don’t like our youngsters, they are promising of course but I really think it’s too much to ask for them to be the ones who’ll bring the titles back after three years..
July 17, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I hope as a professional footballer he is looking forward to the challenge and I think his enthusiasm shouldn’t be frowned on. I’m sure if he’d said ‘Playing for Pana will be OK, but no where near as good as Arsenal’ that would have been ten times worse.
Good luck Bert, may you become the Invisible Wall once more.
July 17, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Gilberto will be thoroughly missed , he was a true Arsenal legend
July 17, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Its ok,thats leaves us with less options.we nid reenforcements WENGER!
July 17, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I’ve always rated Bert and never thought he got the recognition he deserved – but then Defensive midfielders rarely do.
All the best for the future and thanks for the great performances you gave to the Arsenal.
July 17, 2008 at 11:11 pm
He is never a great player, but he is the greatest professional. Take care Gilberto ~
July 18, 2008 at 1:29 am
im so glad we dont have to see this snail plodding around in midfield. thank god now he can enjoy greece and eating grapes all day long.
we should play diaby with fabregas as he has long legs and will get in the oppositions way.
July 18, 2008 at 5:23 am
Gilberto will be sorely missed. He is a true professional and was a loyal servant to the club. He was a solid rock in central midfield and his absence needs to be filled in quickly with a strong holding player. Good luck Gilberto and thanks for the 6 years you gave to Arsenal.
July 18, 2008 at 10:27 am
arsenal
July 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I liked Gilberto’s attitude but he was losing his pace etc.. not too sad to see him leave
http://theworldsmostbeautifulgame.wordpress.com/
July 18, 2008 at 1:53 pm
what a cool lad. but im glad Wneger is gonna b forced to buy a DM.
July 18, 2008 at 3:22 pm
http://www.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/18/Prem-Coquelin-joins-Arsenal/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/
Looks like we’ve signed another French youngster Francis Coquelin.
July 18, 2008 at 3:45 pm
thats old news
http://theworldsmostbeautifulgame.wordpress.com/
July 18, 2008 at 3:59 pm
And that link is for what exactly
?
July 23, 2008 at 12:06 am
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