Panathinaikos FC announces the beginning of its collaboration with Gilberto Silva. Gilberto signed a three year contract and is the new football director of the team.
Gilberto Aparecido da Silva, as this is his full name, was born on October, 7 in Langoa da Prata, Brazil. He made his debut as a football player with America Mineiro and when he was 24 was transferred to Atletico Mineiro, where he revealed his skills and was called to Brazil’s National team. In 2002 he won the World Cup with the “Seleçao”.
In summer 2002 he did a big step forward and joined the team of Arsenal. He played for the “Gunners” during six years and won both the Championship and the Cup. In 2006 he participated in the Champions League final against Barcelona (Arsenal was defeated 2-1).
In 2008, the relationship between Gilberto Silva and Panathinaikos started as our Club acquired him by paying a considerable amount of money. Being the captain of the National team of Brazil, with which he participated in 93 matches, Gilberto helped enormously the “Greens” to win a double in 2010 and to achieve important accomplishments in European competitions, getting up to the stage of the «16» of the Champions League. The “invisible wall” – as this was his dub, when in England – has played 119 matches, wearing the shirt of Panathinaikos and has scored six goals.
In 2011 he went back to Brazil and signed a contract with Gremio. He completed his career as a football player at Atletico Mineiro, the team in which he started his outstanding appearances. Since winter 2014, he felt discomforted due to an injury. A year and a half later he announced his retirement from action.
The family of Panathinaikos welcomes back again Gilberto Silva.
