CARSON, Calif. –The countdown to Steven Gerrard’s arrival in Southern California is officially on.
The new LA Galaxy signing played his final game for Liverpool FC last weekend as he scored his 185th goal for the Reds in their defeat to Stoke City. Gerrard ends his illustrious career with his hometown club with 709 appearances in 17-years with Liverpool.
As Gerrard prepares to turn the page in the next stage of his career, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told reporters on Monday that the club is already in communication with Gerrard regarding his plans to arrive in Southern California later this summer.
Gerrard can not officially play for the Galaxy until the opening of the summer transfer window on July 8.
“We expect him here before July 11,” Arena told reporters after training while also confirming that Gerrard will take some time away before joining the Galaxy. “We haven’t finalized a date yet. He will be here, he’ll get some training in and by the time that he’s eligible to play; he’ll be ready to go.”
Robbie Keane, a former teammate of Gerrard’s at Liverpool, also offered his excitement at integrating the English international to the squad later this summer.
“His season is done now and like everyone, we’re looking forward to getting him in our squad,” Keane said.
The Galaxy captain also shed a little light on a recent report from ESPN FC where the Irishman reportedly warned Gerrard that suiting up for the Galaxy will be no holiday.
After training on Monday, Keane clarified those comments.
“Like I said before, I did not come here for a holiday; I came here to win things. Some players do come for a holiday, but Stevie is certainly not one of those players as I said [in the article],” said Keane. “Unless people haven’t seen him play, Stevie is not one of those players, he’s a born winner and he likes to win things. I’m speaking on behalf as myself as I’ve said since my first press conference [back in 2011].
“People like Steven Gerrard are the players that we want in this team and in this organization because they’re the winners. They’re players that want to win and still want to achieve and win things regardless of what else they’ve accomplished in their career. They still have the hunger to play and to train, and that’s the same as me.”
