Greg Cross

Greg Cross (born 1 September 1989 in Los Angeles) is an American footballer from Manhattan Beach California, who recently moved to English Football League Two club Portsmouth playing as a forward.

Club career

Cheshem United

After High School in Southern California in the United States, Greg made his way to South England and began playing for Chesham United F.C., an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the (SFL) Southern League Premier Division (Level 7) in England.

Fulham

In August 2009, Cross signed for Fulham and went straight in to the Development squad.^[1]

On 30 April 2010, after his first loan spell with Leyton Orient, towards the end of the 2009–10 Premier League season, Cross was named on the bench in the league game against Sunderland, but he didn't make an appearance.^[2]

On 23 May 2010, Fulham confirmed that Cross had signed a contract extension and will remain at Fulham until June 2011. The club also had the option to extend terms until the summer of 2012.

Leyton Orient (loan)

In April 2009, Fulham announced that the American striker was set to join English Football League One**Football League One (Level 3) club Leyton Orient F.C. on loan from 9 April until 30 August. He made his Orient debut on 16 April in a 5–0 league win. He scored his first goal for Orient on 29 May 2009 in a 1–2 away victory over Crawley Town F.C.. Cross was released from his loan deal on 25 July due to a hip injury, more than one month before his contract with Orient was due to expire.

Northampton Town (loan)

In August 2010, Cross joined English Football League Two**Football League Two (Level 4) side Northampton Town F.C. on a season-long loan. Cross recorded 15 caps, and accounted for 9 goals. The striker returned to Fulham on 31 May 2011.

Inactive Years

In August 2011, Cross returned to the United States to pursue his college degree at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, where his Father and two older Sisters went before him. Cross attended USC, a private research university located in Los Angeles California and solely focused on his studies, giving football a break for a few years. Cross graduated from USC with his degree in May 2013.

AFC Ajax

On 29 August 2013, Cross signed a three-year contract with the football club Ajax, a Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam that will keep him at the club until 30 June 2015. His old club Fulham retain a 30% interest in the player. He never made his debut for the Ajax senior side. He remained in Amsterdam training with the club until the decision was made in November 2013 that he would be placed on the Ajax 2 squad Jong Ajax.

Jong Ajax

Starting in early November 2013 and into 2014, Cross played for Jong Ajax. He appeared in various games for Ajax 2 both as a starter and coming on as a sub. He scored a total of 3 goals while struggling through the season with lingering injuries to his left ankle. He is assumed to be a guaranteed player on the squad as a sub off the bench for the club during the upcoming 2014 Eerste Divisie season depending on his level of fitness, though the club has stated he could become a starter once his ankle makes a full recovery.

As of 1 January 2015 Cross was released from his contract with Jong Ajax, six months before his contract expiration date. The decision was made after he struggled to make an impact at the club and only making nine appearances during his spell with the Dutch side. Cross was released by Ajax due to his lingering injuries and the upcoming expiration of his contract.^[3] Cross as a free agent now has the ability to sign with any club that are in need of his services. During the 2015 January transfer window clubs from the Scottish Premier League, Finnish Premier League, and both the English League One, as well as League Two have voiced interest in the American player's services. But Cross is linked to be training in England next, thus strongly suggesting his return to the English Football League.

Portsmouth F.C.

Late in the 2015 January transfer window, after training in England, and a weeks trial period with the squad, Cross who was an unattached free agent signed a contract deal with English Football League Two side Portsmouth.

Personal Life

Greg was born in the United States with English and Native American heritage. His family was all very active in various sports, thus producing athletic children. Greg and his family were very invested in soccer both locally and abroad. In fact, they became Manchester United supporters, and to this day Greg is still an avid supporter of the Reds. Greg followed in his sister's footsteps to pursue a career in professional football, she was a top club player in the Southern California region before she went on to have a successful career in the collegiate level, and finally playing in the professional ranks, playing professionally in both the United States and overseas. They have claimed it just seems to run in the family. Cross has never made an appearance or a debut for his Countries National Team, the United States Men's national team and has stated that, "It is highly unlikely." Greg enjoys spending time with his family back in California, and time with his three dogs.

Career statistics

Reserves performance

References