The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today that defender/midfielder Omar Gaber will join the club from FC Basel of the Swiss Super League on a one-year loan. Gaber is a Discovery Player added to the roster using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) for the 2018 season.
The 25-year old defender/midfielder is a key contributor to the World Cup-bound Egyptian National Team and played under LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley when he coached Egypt from 2011-2013.
“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. I am proud to welcome Omar Gaber to LAFC.”
Gaber was a member of the Basel team that won the Swiss Super League title and the Swiss Cup in 2016-17. He has made 17 total appearances for the top Swiss club after joining them on June 16, 2016. Prior to signing with FC Basel, Gaber enjoyed a highly decorated career playing for Egyptian League powerhouse Zamalek SC, winning three Egypt Cups and one Egyptian Premier League title with the Cairo-based team.
“Omar is an incredibly talented player whose pace, athleticism, and ability fit perfectly with the exciting team we are building here at LAFC,” said LAFC General Manager and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations John Thorrington. “He is in the prime of his career and already has international and Champions League Experience. We are confident he will make our fans proud.”
Gaber has played 18 times for Egypt, appearing in five games in 2018 World Cup Qualifying while also helping Egypt finish second in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017. He has represented Egypt at the Under-20 and Under-23 level.
In 2010 the Cairo native made his debut as an 18-year old with Zamalek SC, one of the top teams in Egypt. Gaber became a fan favorite with Zamalek, playing in 138 total games and registering 13 goals before following in the footsteps of several Egyptian players, including current Liverpool FC forward Mohamed Salah, in moving to FC Basel.
Gaber joins Mexican International Carlos Vela on LAFC’s roster. LAFC signed Vela as the club’s first Designated Player in club history on Aug. 9, and will take part in the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday, December 12.
Transaction: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) acquires defender/midfielder Omar Gaber on a one-year loan from FC Basel (Swiss Super League).
