Carl Jenkinson: Former Arsenal and England defender joins Bromley

Football League newcomers Bromley have signed former Arsenal and England full-back Carl Jenkinson.

The 32-year-old was a free agent after leaving Australian team Newcastle Jets this summer.

Jenkinson made 70 senior appearances for the Gunners, as well as winning an England cap under Roy Hodgson in 2012.

“I’m really happy it’s all sorted out now,” Jenkinson told the League Two club’s website., external

“It’s a great group of lads and it’s good to get into their environment, to be honest something I want to do is help the club from now on so they can progress.

“I’m going to give my all to the club and the manager – it was a fantastic achievement for the lads to get promoted last year but the club wants to progress again now and that was a good selling point for me.”

Jenkinson’s eight-year spell at Arsenal ended in 2019 when he left to join Nottingham Forest, before moving on to Melbourne City and then Newcastle Jets.

He began his career at Charlton, where he met Bromley manager Andy Woodman, who was the Addicks’ goalkeeping coach at the time.

“I’ve known Woody since I was a kid growing up at Charlton,” added Jenkinson.

“He was always so easy to get along with and I knew him really well, he was always someone I knew and followed and that led to me reaching out to him asking to coach.

“We have this kind of relationship where I can ask that question, it was good that he said ‘yes’ and now it’s led to this.”

Bromley did not reveal the length of Jenkinson’s contract with the club.