JUSTIN HOYTE was a cult hero during his days at Arsenal and Middlesbrough, after rising through the Gunners’ academy.

Now the 34-year-old returns to top-flight action – this time in the MLS with new franchise FC Cincinnati.

8 Hoyte has reignited his career since moving to America with FC Cincinnati

8 Justin Hoyte spent 15 years at Arsenal, joining the academy at eight years old Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Injuries and a lack of matches has plagued the former Gunner’s career, even being without a club for months.

But with a new lease of life in America, Hoyte is enjoying another memorable chapter, one where his experienced head has served to help the Ohio outfit to reach new heights.

The former England youth international said: “I am going into my third year now with the team, so it’s been great, it’s been a good challenge.

“It’s something that I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am enjoying playing again and getting the love back for the game.”

Injuries and a lack of minutes curtailed his career in England, struggling at Millwall and Dagenham and Redbridge.

Trinidad and Tobago international Hoyte was left without a club after departing the latter, using all of his contacts in the hope of returning to a professional pitch.

A trial at Cray Wanderers in Ireland was mooted, yet it never worked out.

But what started as a simple message on social media, led to a whirlwind couple of weeks for the right back that saw him return to the game.

8 Hoyte joined FC Cincinnati when they were in the American second tier United Soccer League - before they earned a spot in the MLS from this season onwards

Hoyte added: “At the time, I was on trial at different places, some in England and went to Ireland, I had a few offers but nothing was concrete.

“I got in contact with the manager [Alan Koch] via social media and he asked me to come over for a trial.

“I accepted, so I had a week-long trial, trained every day, played in one of the games and I must have done something right because he signed me.

“I flew back home, sorted everything out visa wise and came back.

"I missed the first game because of the travelling arrangements, played in the next game, got injured, was out for a couple of weeks and ever since then, I have been a part of the team.

I have always wanted to come out to America, watching the games on the TV. Also being back to playing at a top level in a top league. I want to see how long I can play at that top level against top players again Justin Hoyte

“It was a strange couple of weeks, but one that I look back on and one that I really enjoyed."

At the time, FC Cincinnati were a part of the USL Championship, America's second tier but without any promotion or relegation.

Despite Hoyte not knowing how long it would take at the time of his arrival, the club always had ambitions of joining the MLS – a league he refers to as “borderline Premier League and Championship” level.

They had submitted their expansion bid a month before he joined, finally earning their place in the top flight this season.

And Hoyte is relishing the new chapter in their journey, all with his fiancee Lisa and children Faris and Alina in tow.

8 Justin Hoyte spent months looking for a club before earning a contract with FC Cincinnati

8 Hoyte joined Middlesbrough from Arsenal for £3million, enjoying a prolonged spell in the first-team in his six years at Riverside Stadium Credit: PA:Press Association

8 Hoyte struggled during his time at Millwall, before an unsuccessful spell at Dagenham & Redbridge left him without a club Credit: Action Images - Reuters

He said: “I am really excited, it has been a goal of mine for a long time.

“I have always wanted to come out to America, watching the games on the TV, and just have friends in the Major League Soccer.

“Also being back to playing at a top level in a top league, their equivalent of the Premier League, so it’s that ambition to carry on and see how long I can play at that top level against top players again.”

Having two Hoytes in America is also not out of the question, with his brother Gavin tempted by a future move Stateside.

But Justin’s role at FC Cincinnati has become about more than just playing, with the 34-year-old now the experienced head helping the next generation.

“I remember when I was the youngest player in the team and I had older players tell and now it feels like I am like the eldest player helping the younger players.

“I spoke to one of the younger players, Frankie [Amaya], this is his first full professional pre-season and he is only 18 and I am like 'I have had like 18 pre-seasons,' so it is crazy and now I have to give him my knowledge and experience of what I have been through and help him and make it easy for him.”

And once he retires, Hoyte hopes to continue helping youngsters in an academy coaching role, preferring to watch them grow than the high pressure of first team football.

8 Hoyte is enjoying life in America with fiancee Lisa and two kids Faris and Alina

8 Hoyte played alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Cesc Fabregas, but failed to live up to his initial promise Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

While he would like to join one of his former clubs, he believes the American game will suit him more than in England and has set his targets on moving into an off-field position at Cincinnati or in another US city.

But the defender hopes the problems for BAME managers will have "changed" by the time he reaches that stage.

He added: “I feel there is a struggle at the moment but I feel in due time there will be a change in this situation.

“Hopefully by the time I’m ready to go into coaching it will have all changed, and I won’t be facing some of the same struggles we face today.”