‘Training with Arsenal has been good, but nothing beats playing’ – Jack Wilshere ‘ready’ for football return after signing for Danish club Aarhus

Jack Wilshere has told talkSPORT he is 'ready' for his return to football after signing a deal with Danish Superliga side Aarhus Gymnastikforening.

After being released by Bournemouth in May 2021, the midfielder has been training with boyhood club Arsenal in a bid to maintain his fitness and, after a long wait and talks with numerous clubs, he has now secured a new team.

4

4

With 288 games under his belt over 14 years with Arsenal, West Ham and Bournemouth, Wilshere looks set to add to that number in the Danish top flight.

On Sunday, reported the news of Wilshere's move to Aarhus, with the club confirming his signing hours later.

"Former Arsenal and West Ham player Jack Wilshere is joining the Danish club, AGF from the city of Aarhus," read a club statement.

"Wilshere joins AGF as a free agent having been without a club since summer, and he has made an agreement with AGF until the summer 2022 - with a possibility for one more year at that time."

The midfielder has taken the No.10 shirt at his new club, but revealed to talkSPORT he is set to play a very different role in Denmark.

Wilshere has been a regular on the station while he has searched for his new club, appearing on Drivetime with Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent.

Most read in Football

EFL club redesign logo and pay tribute to their city's 'iconic roundabouts'

How to watch Inter vs Barcelona for FREE as giants eye place in Champions League final

Arsenal eye £85m West Ham star, Premier League clubs want Elliott, potential Werner return

Leicester identify EFL boss who can still win promotion as possible new manager

It's likely he will be cutting back his time with the duo and now focus on his playing career again, but he did make an appearance on Sunday evening's Boot Room for an exclusive chat about his move.

“I’m feeling good, I flew over here this morning," he told Bent.

"We’ve been talking a few days and now I’ve seen the training ground and the stadium and it just felt right. I’m here and I’m ready.

“The main thing was how much they wanted me. To be wanted by a club, they were desperate to get me in, I met all the staff and they were all really positive. I haven't met the other players yet.

“The fact I’m coming here to play, I’ve been training with Arsenal for what feels like forever, and the training has been good, but nothing beats playing.

4

“To be honest I didn’t know much about the club, I’m not going to lie and say I’ve watched them loads. I didn’t know much about the league either, until I started to look into it.

“I didn’t know what to expect and I’ve been pleasantly surprised, especially by the training ground, it’s got everything, it’s a new building and the pitches are good. The facilities are very nice. 

“They play a 4-3-3 and they’ve spoken in a lot of detail about the role they want from me, I can play in the six or the eight.

“I spoke to a few coaches over the last few months who have seen me playing in completely different positions that I see myself playing in. I used to play in the ten role but I don’t think I can play there anymore, at my age I’m looking to play a bit deeper.

4

“I’m not disappointed [about not joining a club in the Premier League] I always said my next move would be something different, this is completely different, not many English players go abroad and I always wanted to do it.

“Circumstances have brought me here, so I just want to give my all and see where it leaves me and the team at the end of the season.

“I’ve had a lot of love from the Danish fans already. My phone is going crazy. I’m happy to be here, happy to be involved in a club and really excited to be playing games.”