Alex Gilbert (footballer)

Alexander George Henry Gilbert (born 28 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Middlesbrough.

Gilbert is a graduate of the West Bromwich Albion Academy and began his professional career with Brentford in 2020. After failing to break into the first team, he transferred to Middlesbrough in 2023. Gilbert has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

West Bromwich Albion
An attacking midfielder, Gilbert began his career in the West Bromwich Albion Academy at U9 level and progressed to sign a two-year scholarship deal in 2018. He was offered a professional contract at the end of the 2019–20 season, but declined to sign it and departed The Hawthorns.

Brentford
On 29 September 2020, Gilbert transferred to the B team at Championship club Brentford on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year, on a free transfer. Gilbert was an unused substitute during 9 first team league matches between December 2020 and March 2021 and made what would be his only first team appearances for the club with two FA Cup appearances. He was not involved during Brentford's successful 2021 playoff campaign and finished the 2020–21 B team season with 10 goals from 22 appearances.

Gilbert was involved with the first team squad during the 2021–22 pre-season and on transfer deadline day August 2021, he joined League Two club Swindon Town on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season. He made 12 appearances prior to the termination of the loan on 4 January 2022. Gilbert played the second half of the 2021–22 season with the B team, with whom he won the London Senior Cup.

The one-year option on Gilbert's contract was taken up at the end of the 2021–22 season and he captained the B team during the 2022–23 season. On 8 November 2022, Gilbert won his first senior call-up for nearly two years, for an EFL Cup third round match versus Gillingham and he remained an unused substitute during the shoot-out defeat. He was included in the first team squad for its mid-season training camp in Girona and scored in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Bordeaux. Half of Gilbert's 16 goals scored during the B team season came in the team's victorious 2022–23 Premier League Cup campaign. His performances were recognised with the team's Player of the Year award.

Gilbert entered discussions over a contract extension at the end of the 2022–23 season, which proved fruitless. He departed the club in July 2023 and finished his B team career with 79 appearances.

Middlesbrough
On 4 July 2023, Gilbert transferred to Championship club Middlesbrough and signed a four-year contract. Though he was signed as a free agent, the club was required to pay a compensation fee of "around £1 million", due to his age. Gilbert was a regular inclusion on the substitutes' bench during the 2023–24 season, but played just 80 minutes across his 10 substitute appearances in league matches. He started in Middlesbrough's final two matches of the season and marked his maiden start for the club with the first senior goal of his career, in a 4–1 victory over Cardiff City on 27 April 2024.

International career
Gilbert was capped by the Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 level.

Personal life
Gilbert supported Aston Villa while growing up.

Career statistics


Honours
Brentford B

Individual
 * London Senior Cup: 2021–22
 * Premier League Cup: 2022–23


 * Brentford B Player of the Year: 2022–23