New Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard poses with his jersey after a news conference.
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By the time the English midfielder was formally introduced by the club in the afternoon to begin his MLS career, there was nothing but California sunshine outside StubHub Center.
Gerrard says he has no fears about any of that.
Gerrard will forever be a legend at Anfield after captaining Liverpool to UEFA Champions League success in 2005, while he also won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup on three occasions and the UEFA Cup in 2001.
Now, Gerrard arrives in MLS at age 35, seeking the league title that eluded him in the Premiership.
“What struck me the most was how aggressive they were in getting me to come here”, Gerrard said.
“He is obviously going to play in the game (on Saturday) and it will be good for him to get a feel of the players”.
“We’ve got a fantastic team here, a fantastic set-up and I hope to add a bit to that and contribute to the best of my ability and I think the future can be really bright”. “He’s a good lad off and on the field”.
Following the press conference Gerrard was presented with the No8 shirt ahead of his upcoming debut. Keane was effusive in his praise for Gerrard’s service, and Arena expects that skill to come through in set pieces.
“The last seven days has been a bit of a whirlwind”, he said. “Certainly for a striker, he’s good to play with”.
NYCFC have also confirmed the signing of Juventus star Pirlo, a player whom Gerrard has faced off with on several occasions, for both club and country, most memorably in the Champions League final of 2005. His range of passing is incredible.
There was however, a stark contrast between the introduction of Gerrard and the signing of another marquee player from England, David Beckham, eight years ago. He’s an inspiration, he’s a leader and he will bring American football closer to Europe. “Me and Steve can’t understand them!”
Keane revealed Gerrard, with whom he shares an agent, had sought his advice earlier this year when mulling his decision to head to Los Angeles.
Watch Gerrard in action for LA Galaxy v Club America live on Sky Sports 1 at 4.20am on Sunday.
He said he would be “very, very happy” to follow in Beckham’s footsteps.
First there was the brilliantly sarcastic man in the red t-shirt, who after telling the reporter just how little he knew about the situation, replied, “Sweet! He wants to win all of the time”.
While Beckham, Keane and other big names have been dynamic players in MLS, the league still carries an worldwide stigma as a last stop before retirement. “If there’s anyone out there who thinks that I’m coming out here for a holiday or my last paycheck, they’ll be proved wrong very soon”.
Still, Gerrard couldn’t ignore the sunshine entirely: He had to borrow sunscreen from Keane before practice.
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Llegett, Keane and Arena all said the transition would be made even easier by the fact that Gerrard is eager to be a leader and a teammate.
