07 July 2023 , 11:58
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Former Rangers hero Scott Arfield has opened up on the role his former Burnley teammate had in convincing him to swap Glasgow for the MLS.
The 19-time Canada international left Ibrox at the end of last season following six trophy-filled campaigns in Scotland, which saw him help the the club to its 55th league title in 2021 under Steven Gerrard. The 34-year-old was allowed to leave following the expiry of his contract following 223 appearances for the SPL giants, which saw him notch 43 goals.
The veteran midfielder was not short on interest following the conclusion of his half-decade spell with the 'Gers, as SPL team Hearts offered him the chance to stay in the country of his birth. Football Scotland reported that the former Huddersfield Town man also had opportunities to pursue a move south of the border in the EFL Championship.
However, Arfield ultimately opted for a move outside of Britain for the first time in his long career, having clocked up some 671 appearances across his spells with Falkirk, Huddersfield, Burnley and Rangers. A move to the United States ultimately beckoned for Arfield, who begun a new chapter in MLS with Charlotte FC at the start of July.
The former Ibrox fan-favourite has now explained the motivations behind his decision to pursue a transfer to the US, conversations with ex-teammate Ashley Westwood helped to influence the move. The pair played together at Turf Moor, with Westwood having already moved to North Carolina at the turn of the year.
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Speaking to The Crown's official website, he explained: “[Ashley Westwood] played a massive role, a massive role. He was the first person that I reached out to and he had a major part in me being sat in this seat right now.
“The wives are still friendly. They have been ever since we were at Burnley and all the way up until I was at Rangers. Then Ashley [Westwood] came out here and he’s been absolutely raving about it.
Ashley Westwood swapped Burnley for MLS side Charlotte FC in January and could be reunited with a former teammate. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) (Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)"Raving about the supporters, the stadiums, the league. So he was the first person I reached out to and he had a major part in me being here. We can only thank him for that.”
The midfielder signed a one year contract at Bank of America Stadium and joins the franchise at an exciting time for MLS, with superstar Lionel Messi set to arrive at Inter Miami imminently. Arfield's new team will come up against the Herons on August 21, with the Argentine icon expected to make his debut in the League Cup competition during July.
Charlotte current sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and have won six games from their first 21 outings so far this term, with CF Montreal a point ahead of them in the final playoffs slot with a game in hand. Arfield made his bow for his new club as a substitute against New York City FC in a 1-1 draw.