As we revealed a month ago, Olivier Giroud has officially signed with Los Angles FC. The world champion confirmed on Monday his departure from Milan at the end of the season for the North American championship, but without specifying which American team he would join. His entourage indicated three weeks ago that he had reached an agreement with Los Angeles FC. “What we saw in Olivier was a rare combination in his ability to stall, to tie the game together and to be a finisher,” said John Thorrington, general manager of Los Angeles FC. “He plays for the French team and AC Milan in a system that is similar to ours, and we had the feeling that it was a good choice for all these reasons. »
Olivier Giroud is Black & Gold.
📝 Olivier Giroud joins #LAFC as a Designated Player through 2025 with an option for 2026.#LAFC | @Remitly
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 14, 2024
The Californian leader also insisted on the contribution of Olivier Giroud off the field. “It’s really a big blow for the club,” he said. “I joke sometimes that there are players that I would sign even if they never played because of what they bring to the dressing room, the example they set, their professionalism, their thirst to win, even if they have already won a lot,” he explained.
Lloris weighed in with all his weight
According to John Thorrington, Hugo Lloris, transferred to California from Tottenham last December, “gave a little wink” to the club, evoking a message from the French striker in which the latter expressed his interest in the idea of joining the North American championship. “They know each other very well,” recalled the American leader. “It allowed us to ask Hugo + What will he bring us that we don’t necessarily see? “. “I didn’t need Hugo to tell me what a player he is on the pitch, but when Hugo’s first words were ‘He’s great for a team,’ that’s exactly what we think. wishes,” added John Thorrington.
According to him, Giroud could make his debut in MLS at the end of July, even if the precise date will depend in particular on the progress of the French team at the Euro, if he is selected by Didier Deschamps. World champion with the Blues in 2018, Giroud is the top scorer in the history of the France team with 57 goals in 131 caps.
Trained in Grenoble, the Frenchman passed through Istres and Tours before exploding in Montpellier, where he was French champion in 2012. He then played nine seasons in England, at Arsenal (2012-2018) and Chelsea (2018- 2021), with whom he won the 2021 Champions League. Under the jersey of AC Milan, joined in 2021, the striker has scored 38 goals in Serie A, including 14 this season, his best performance at club since 2016 With the Rossoneri, he won an Italian championship title in 2022.
The Lombard club is currently 2nd, far from its great rival, Inter, crowned Italian champion last month for the 20th time. The player justified his choice to go to the United States on Monday by citing his family life. “I made this decision a few weeks ago, I gave everything I had for AC Milan. For me and for my family, it’s the right moment to experience a different lifestyle,” he said in an interview with AC Milan’s internal channel.
