The Newcastle Jets have signed striker Joey Gibbs for the 2013/14 A-League season.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have signed striker Joey Gibbs for the 2013/14 A-League season.
Gibbs joins the Jets after making 13 appearances and scoring two goals for A-League Premiers Western Sydney Wanderers during the 2012/13 season.
After coming through the Sydney FC youth team, Gibbs made his senior A-League debut as a substitute for the Sky Blues in the 2009/10 Grand Final against the Melbourne Victory.
The 20-year-old has also previously had stints with New South Wales Premier League Clubs Manly United and Marconi Stallions.
“I-m very excited to have signed with Newcastle,” Gibbs said.
“Newcastle is a football town and I-m looking forward to playing in front of these fans.”
Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said the signing of Gibbs would bolster the Jets- forward line, which already features former English Premier League strikers Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges as well as Young Socceroo Adam Taggart.
“Joey adds a bit of extra depth to our squad, especially in the attacking third,” Middleby said.
“Although he-s only young, Joey has experience at A-League level from his time spent with Western Sydney Wanderers last season and also from having played in a Grand Final with Sydney FC.
“We-re pleased he has decided to join the Jets and everyone at the Club is looking forward to working with him over the course of the coming season.”
Gibbs said part of the appeal of joining the Jets was the chance to learn from the likes of Heskey and Bridges on a daily basis.
“Some of the boys at this club who play in the position I-m in, such as Heskey, Bridges and players like that, I can learn from them and the experience they have will help me,” Gibbs said.
“I-m 20 years old and everyday at training I-m looking to learn. If I-m surrounded by players like that, with the experience they have, I really think I-ll grow.”
Gibbs will link up with his new teammates at training this week before flying out to Singapore as part of a 10-man Jets squad that will compete in the Singapore Soccer Sixes tournament this weekend.
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“It will be good fun and a good opportunity to get to know the boys and know what Gary wants for this season,” Gibbs said.
“Even though it-s a six-a-side tournament, I-m sure we-ll be competing seriously and trying to win, so it should be very enjoyable.”
