The Los Angeles Football Club of Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that it has acquired Egyptian national team defender/midfielder Omar Gaber on a one-year loan from FC Basel of the Swiss Super League.
The acquisition reunites the 25-year-old Gaber with LAFC coach Bob Bradley, Egypt’s coach from 2011-13.
“I loved working with all the Egyptian players, and had a great opportunity to get to know Omar during that time,” Bradley said. “He’s always been admired by teammates and fans for his all-around contributions and willingness to give everything on the field.”
LAFC general manager-executive vice president of soccer operations John Thorrington called Gaber “an incredibly talented player whose pace, athleticism, and ability fit perfectly with the exciting team we are building here at LAFC.”
Gaber has played 18 games for Egypt, including five in its successful campaign to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Cairo native made his debut with Egypt’s Zamalek SC in 2010 as an 18- year-old, scoring 13 goals in 138 games. He moved to FC Basel in 2016, helping it to the Swiss Super League title and the Swiss Cup in the 2016-17 season.
LAFC will begin play in 2018 at the Banc of California Stadium at the former site of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It will add to its roster in the Dec. 12 MLS expansion draft.
—City News Service