Who is former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere and what position will he play in Soccer Aid 2024?

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 5 years.

Find out more about the former England and Arsenal star ahead of his appearance at the charity match.

Who is Jack Wilshere?

Jack Wilshere joined the Arsenal academy when he 9 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-years-old 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.

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.

It was in the 2011/12 season that Wilshere suffered a fractured ankle which was to be the start of his dreaded injury-curse.

The injury resulted in Jack 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.

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.

Jack 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.

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Jack Wilshere taking a training session at Arsenal’s training ground with the under 18s[/caption]

He is still at the club now where he’s the youth team coach.

In May 2024, Jack and his wife Andriani revealed their daughter Siena nearly died from a heart problem.

He’s 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.

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.

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.