Cory chooses Charlton
Charlton have made their first new signing of the summer - the capture of £2m-rated United States international Cory Gibbs on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old left-sided defender has been signed on a pre-contract basis from Dutch club Feyenoord. The transfer is subject to the club obtaining a work permit.
And the Addicks beat off competition from UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough to get their man.
"In the past week I've received interest from Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Charlton,” said Cory, who can play at left-back as well as on the left of a central defensive pairing. "Playing Premiership football has always been my dream and I was flattered to have such options, but having met with the representatives from Charlton I was hugely impressed with the chairman, Richard Murray, and his ambitious plans for the continued development of the club.
"I honestly believe I am joining a club that is ambitious and hungry for success.”
Murray said: "We have been tracking Cory for some time and are delighted to have secured his signature.
"Obviously I was concerned that with the departure of Alan Curbishley we may have lost out on the player. However I believe we are about to embark on an exciting new era at Charlton and I am just pleased we were able to convince Cory that this was the club he should join.”
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Gibbs was voted an Ivy League player of the year and was also a First Team All-American during his time at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Initially signed by Miami Fusion in 2001, he switched to German side FC St Pauli in 2001 where he became the youngest American to score in the Bundesliga.
He stayed with St Pauli for three years and Gibbs had a brief spell back in his homeland with Dallas Burn - where he forced his way into the international reckoning - before moving to Feyenoord in January 2005.
He also represented the United States U20s, and he made his senior international debut on June 8th, 2003, playing in a 2-0 victory against New Zealand.
Gibbs has recently spent time on loan with ADO Den Haag following the news he was leaving Feyenoord at the end of the 2005/06 campaign.
The six-foot-one defender, who wasn't involved when Feyenoord played a pre-season friendly at The Valley last August, has already been selected for the US squad for Germany this summer and Bruce Arena, the USA international manager, was delighted with news of the transfer.
"Cory is one of the first names I put on my teamsheet and is an outstanding defender of international quality,” he said.
"I am sure he will be a big favourite with the Charlton fans and I am not surprised that so many Premiership clubs tried to secure his signature once he made it clear he would be leaving Feyenoord. I wish him every success with his new club.”
Gibbs will join up with the US squad at a pre-World Cup training camp on Wednesday in Cary, North Carolina. America face the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana in Germany this summer.
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