February 21, (THEWILL) – Jack Wilshere has signed a short-term contract with Danish club Aarhus until the end of the season on a contract that might be extended for another year in the summer.
Since his release from Championship club Bournemouth at the end of last season, the former Arsenal midfielder has been without a team.
Wilshere remarked after joining with his new club: “Since I started training with Arsenal, I have never hidden the fact that it was to be ready for 2022 and for a new club.
“Now the right club is here, and it will be an exciting new challenge for me. I am in a place in my career where I need to get started again after a difficult period and that opportunity has AGF offered me. For that, I am very grateful, and I will do everything I can to live up to the expectations.”
THEWILL recalls that Wilshere had just finished training with Arsenal the week before. Mikel Arteta, the club’s manager, ruled out bringing the 30-year-old back to the club, but praised Wilshere’s influence on the training ground as he worked towards his coaching badges.
The former England international admitted in November that he had pondered quitting, but that he still believed he had something to give. The player was also confident of his capacity: “I 100 per cent think I can still play. But I am almost at the point where I think something different, abroad, might be beneficial to me.”
Wilshere rose through the Arsenal ranks as a talented teenager. He made his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Blackburn Rovers in September 2008, making him the club’s youngest ever Premier League debutant.
Wilshere’s career, however, was marred by injuries, and he only made 125 league appearances for Arsenal in ten years. During the 2016/2017 season, he was loaned out to Bournemouth before joining West Ham United. He only made 19 appearances for West Ham before returning to Bournemouth on a temporary basis in January.
Aarhus is currently seventh in the Danish Superliga, four points behind Randers for the final Championship play-off berth.
Stig Inge Bjornebye, Aarhus director of football, said: “Jack can contribute with his excellent technique and his eye for the game and he will give us some extra offensive tools.
“He is in good physical shape, but obviously lacks some game fitness. But that will soon come, and we look forward to seeing him in the white jersey, when he has settled in.”
At Aarhus, Wilshere will wear the number 10 shirt, which he wore for many years at Arsenal. On Friday evening, they play Vejle BK, who are at the bottom of the standings. It could be his debut, if he makes the team.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
