Career
He played for teams including Arsenal, Wycombe Wanderers, Swindon Town, Gillingham and Canvey Island. He became the first transfer to take place in the new millennium, when Gillingham manager Peter Taylor signed him for £100,000, in a deal that saw Swindon team mate Iffy Onuora join the Kent club as well. He had a successful first season in the First Division with Gillingham, helping them to finish 13th in the league.
He also scored in an tie at Arsenal, where he came through the youth ranks.
However, injury hampered the rest of his time at the Gills and, in 2003, he was sold to non-league Canvey Island. Gooden was the European scout for Reading operating from France.
Gooden finished working for Reading after they failed to gain promotion to the Premiership. He has now joined Sunderland as their scout in France.
After a brief spell with Sunderland, Gooden has secured a contract working as a scout at Arsenal in France.
