LONDON – Wednesday, August 5 - When London City C.E.O. and General Manager Ryan Gauss approached Gentjan Dervishi to return to professional soccer he was not sure if the answer he received would be a positive one.  However, as Dervishi has always done, he stepped up to the challenge of helping London’s only professional team build towards more positive results.  The local soccer star has rejoined the club in a player capacity. 
 

Dervishi played 11 seasons with City – including a year and a half as player/coach.  His dedication, passion and overwhelming skill saw the Albanian native capture many accolades with the team, including individual awards and all-star appearances.    
 

Gauss believes that the addition of Dervishi will have an immediate impact for the club, as he and player/coach Andrew Loague have much of the same philosophy when it comes to playing soccer. 
 

“Gentjan is every General Manager’s dream.”  Gauss said.  “He comes to the field, prepares hard and leaves everything he has out there.  Gentjan is a true professional and I am so happy to welcome him back.” 
 

Dervishi admits that one of the main factors pulling him back to City is his overwhelming respect and admiration for Harry Gauss – the heart and soul of the franchise who is currently battling cancer. 
 

“I am coming back out of my respect for Harry Gauss and the courageous battle he is currently undergoing.  Harry gave me my start in Canada, and I want to help Ryan bring the franchise his father created to new heights.” 
 

Dervishi will be in the lineup this Friday when London City takes on the Canadian Soccer League powerhouse Italia Shooters.  Game time is 8:38PM