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Who is former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and what position will he play in Soccer Aid 2024?
Will the Arsenal and England ace be returning back to the midfield for the Soccer Aid 2024 match?
JACK Wilshere is returning to the Soccer Aid pitch for a second time, where he'll be hoping to help England get their first win in five years.
Find out more about the former England and Arsenal star ahead of his appearance at the charity match.
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Who is Jack Wilshere?
Jack Wilshere joined the Arsenal academy when he nine years old after a short spell in the Luton Town academy.
The young starlet impressed in North London and quickly worked his way through the academy ranks before he was named captain of the under-16 side.
It was youth coach Steve Bould who gave him his first chance when he promoted him to the under-18 side.
Wilshere started scoring goals from midfield which first attracted the attentions of Arsene Wenger.
He made his debut for Arsenal reserves at 16 and was named in Wenger's senior squad for the following season.
He made his first team debut in September 2008 when he came on as a substitute for Robin Van Persie against Blackburn Rovers.
This made him Arsenal's youngest-ever debutant breaking the previous record of Cesc Fabregas.
A loan spell with Bolton Wanderers saw the youngster become a regular fixture in the first team the following season.
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His performances saw him win a call up to England senior team where he became only the 10th 16-year-old to win a full cap under the guidance of Fabio Capello.
Over his career, Wilshere went on to make 34 appearances for the senior team.
It was in the 2011/12 season that Wilshere suffered a fractured ankle which was to be the start of his dreaded injury-curse.
Robbie Williams has been a keen player at Soccer Aid for many years
The injury resulted in Wilshere missing the entire season and would become something that would plague his career.
Wilshere spent 17 months on the sidelines before he made his return to the first-team line-up.
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He was sent out on loan to Bournemouth where he was to rediscover the form which saw Wenger put such faith in him.
While on loan he won consecutive Player of the Month awards for The Cherries before suffering a hairline fracture of his fibula in a game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
This saw him miss the remainder of the season.
Wilshere would have more success in the Arsenal first-team after his rehabilitation but was sold to West Ham in 2018.
At the end of his three-year contract he was released from The Hammers and re-joined Bournemouth on a short-term contract.
He struggled to make an impact and announced his retirement from football at the young age of 30.
Shortly after, Wilshere was unveiled as the head coach of Arsenal under-18s.
Despite his stop/start career which was hampered by injury, Wilshere has always been regarded as a Gunners legend, having made 125 appearances for the club.
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He is still at the club now where he's the youth team coach.
After splitting from his partner Lauren Neal in 2014, who he had two children with, Wilshere married Andriani Michael in 2017.
She gave birth to their daughter Siena in 2018.
In May 2024, they revealed Siena nearly died from a heart problem.
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Wilshere has since become an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation.
What position will Jack Wilshere play in Soccer Aid 2024?
Jack Wilshere spent his professional footballing career playing as a midfielder.
Soccer Aid have hinted that he'll be returning to this position for the 2024 match.
He'll be playing alongside a host of pro-footballers and celebrities to represent England.
Soccer Aid line-up 2024
Fans can't wait for soccer aid to kick off on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
The FULL line-up of players has been released and it is a mix of celebrities and former pro footballers.
England:
- Frank Lampard (Co-Manager)
- Harry Redknapp (Co-Manager)
- Robbie Williams (Co-Manager)
- Jill Scott (Captain)
- Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper)
- David James (Professional Goalkeeper)
- David Seaman (Goalkeeping Coach)
- Footballer Jermain Defoe
- Jack Wilshere
- Footballer Joe Cole
- Pundit Karen Carney
- Footballer Gary Cahill
- Singer Tom Grennan
- Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett
- Actress Erin Doherty
- Olympic hero Sir Mo Farah
- Comedian Alex Brooker
- Cricketer Stuart Broad
- Actor Bobby Brazier
- Sam Thompson
- Footballer Ellen White
- Footballer Theo Walcott
- Actor Danny Dyer
- YouTuber Miniminter
World XI:
- Mauricio Pochettino (Manager)
- Jesus Perez (Coach)
- Usain Bolt (Captain)
- Footballer Eden Hazard
- Footballer Roberto Carlos
- Actor Martin Compston
- Comedian Maisie Adam
- Presenter Roman Kemp
- Comedian Lee Mack
- Boxer and reality star Tommy Fury
- Gladiator Diamond
- Footballer Michael Essien
- Footballer Patrice Evra
- Footballer Petr Cech
- Comedian Jason Manford
- Footballer John Obi Mikel
- Footballer Kaylyn Kyle
- YouTube Theo Baker
England will be hoping for a much-needed win after several years of defeat at the hands of the World XI squad.
How to watch Soccer Aid 2024
Dermot O'Leary and Alex Scott are the hosts of Soccer Aid 2024.
It will be shown live on ITV1, ITVX and STV on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
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The live broadcast begins with the buildup from 6pm, and the match kicks off at 7.30pm.
The charity clash takes place at Stamford Bridge, home of Premier League side Chelsea.