Armada FC Adds Local Talent Derek Gebhard

Jacksonville Armada FC announced Thursday the signing of former Jacksonville FC, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Jacksonville United FC forward Derek Gebhard to a professional contract.

“We think Derek has a strong future ahead of him, which is why we are pleased to be able to sign him to our club,” Armada FC General Manager Dario Sala said. “He is a fast, technical player that will fit well into our system.”

A 19-year-old that moved to Severna Park, Md., from Spain when he was five and moved to Florida as a teenager, Gebhard recently played with NPSL side Jacksonville United FC in the spring. He also played on the JFC U-19 team that won the 2015 Florida Youth Soccer Association state cup.

Prior to playing for JUFC, Gebhard played a season with Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla., where he logged 605 minutes in 16 appearances, with one start for the Eagles. Gebhard finished with 17 shots on the season, including five on goal, and recorded an assist in his college debut against USF on August 29 – a 2-0 FGCU win.

In spring 2013, he helped lead George Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Fla., to a 19-3-3 overall record and a trip to the Florida Class 4A state final after scoring the golden goal in the state semifinal match. Gebhard racked up nine goals in his last winter semester of high school.

He was also chosen to play with the U.S. Soccer Region III Olympic Development Program in 2013, where he helped lead his squad to a 4-0-0 record in San Jose, Costa Rica, which included a 1-0 win over the Costa Rica U-17 men’s national team.