Announced for many weeks at AC Milan, Olivier Giroud is now an AC Milan player. As announced on our site on July 13, the world champion initialed, this Friday afternoon, a two-year contract in favor of the Lombard club with an option for an additional season. The 34-year-old striker arrived at 8 a.m. at the Milanello training center to undergo his medical examination. A handful of supporters were present to welcome him. All dressed in black, the now ex-Chelsea player greeted them with a “Forza Milan.”
The two clubs had reached an agreement a week ago for compensation of two million euros corresponding to the last year of Giroud’s contract. By joining AC Milan, he intends to increase his playing time and apply for a place in the France team (110 caps) with a view to the World Cup in Qatar in November 2022. He had a frustrating Euro 2021. He first found himself at the heart of a controversy with Kylian Mbappé, then was relegated to the sidelines during the tournament due to the return of Karim Benzema. The top scorer in activity for the Blues (46 goals) had to be content with entries into play (40 cumulative minutes) especially against Switzerland during the elimination in the round of 16 (3-3, 5 tab to 4).
Replacing at Chelsea since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel in January 2021, Giroud will discover a third league nine years after leaving Ligue 1 and Montpellier for England (at Arsenal from 2012 to January 2018, then at Chelsea). With Chelsea, he won a Europa League, an FA Cup and the Champions League this season (or 50% of the continental trophies of the Abramovich era). He has scored 39 goals in 119 games over the past three and a half years. But his best statistics date from his time at Arsenal: 105 goals in 253 appearances. Giroud did not fail to say goodbye to Chelsea. “To all the Blues, to my teammates, to all my coaches, to the whole club, a huge thank you for these special moments, he wrote on Twitter. I am starting a new journey with a light and happy heart. Our victories in the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League have been magnificent. “
In Milan, he seems to be promised to share the tenure with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the leader of the Rossoneri attack. This is articulated with a single center forward and three attacking midfielders, according to the 4-2-3-1 advocated by coach Stefano Pioli. But the age of the former Parisian, 40 years old this fall, should allow the French to pull out of the game. Present on Thursday in Paris for the wedding of Marco Verratti, Ibrahimovic is currently continuing his rehabilitation after the arthroscopy he has suffered in the left knee on June 18. He aims to be operational for the resumption of Serie A, the weekend of August 22, in Genoa against Sampdoria.
Twice Giroud, who is due in training on July 26, has already been very close to joining Serie A. In January 2020, Inter Milan were holding the rope to attract the 34-year-old French international before Frank Lampard, do not veto. When the winter market closed a year ago, Lazio Rome tried their luck, also wiping out a refusal from the former Blues coach.
