“Apart from palm trees, it’s a bit the same. »We will not change Olivier Giroud, even less at 38 years old. The smile is bright, the speech always impeccable. This Wednesday, the former Blues striker passed his traditional press conference arriving at LOSC. An obligatory passage which he is used to, he who has known nine different clubs since his beginnings in the south of France.
“I am happy to come back, I know that there will be a great expectation around me, I do not arrive in the skin of the Messiah. I come with my experience, my career, said the record holder in blue goals (57). I know this role, to be there for the youngest, in the field, in training, on the bench, in everyday life. »»
A first contact two weeks ago
Serene, smiling, sometimes a little joker, the 2018 world champion has insisted several times on his desire to end his career in France. At 38, the former Montpellier, champion of France in 2012, no longer felt comfortable after a year in California. Five small goals in 37 games … The MLS and the game offered by Los Angeles FC did not “correspond to it”.
🎙️ O.Giroud: “There was a first contact 2 weeks ago, and I was immediately seduced. I could have chosen ease, but I decided to come back to France and I am very happy and very excited.” pic.twitter.com/EF1P1ZNjXO
– LOSC (@losclive) July 2, 2025
It was therefore without hesitation that he won when Olivier Létang asked him. This is the third time that the Lille president has been trying to attract stainless scorer in his nets. He had already tried his luck in 2007-2008. The footballer then played in Istres, and the manager at the Reims stadium. A recruiter had put his veto. In 2019, Bis Repetita but Giroud, then in Chelsea, still wanted to shine in the big foreign championships and stay at the very high level for the French team.
A personal and sentimental choice
Two weeks ago, so they finally said yes. What made the difference? “The fact of getting closer to my family, my friends, to find a country that I love, which is mine, with all the sympathy capital and the love of the French. French gastronomy too.
And pogba in all of this? Giroud said he was delighted to meet “Paul (who signed at Monaco) and the other internationals. It’s great for this attractive and pleasant championship ”.
If he did not need anyone to make his choice, some friends comforted him in his decision. Among them, Eden Hazard, club legend (2007-2012), but also Benjamin Pavard, trained in Luchin, or Mathieu Debuchy (2003-2013), champion of France with LOSC and incidentally godfather of Evan his eldest son.
“Playing until my body says stop”
A one -year contract has been signed. For now. The old Gunner wants to go there “step by step, a year and we will see how it goes. Coach Bruno Genesio will recover his recruit within ten days. Time for Giroud to blow a little and prepare his move with his wife and four children.
It will then be time to prove itself on the ground and sharpen your body. During his farewell press conference in Lafc, on the night of Sunday to Monday, he had confided that he had “a little problem with ankle” and more specifically to the tendons.
“Competition has always made me move forward, throughout my career. I need that. Several attackers are needed with different characteristics in a workforce, he observes this Wednesday. I feel good despite my age. I always said that I wanted to play until my body said to me. I feel that I can bring. Am I ready to continue every three days? I don’t know, but I am excited to play a European Cup with Lille. »»
The LOSC will be engaged at the start of the school year in the Europa League. A competition that the pivot knows well since it won it in 2019 (with Chelsea) and that there were 15 goals, all clubs combined, in 25 games.
Speaking of goals, a question. If the pawn machine left again, would a return to the French team possible? A journalist attempted this Wednesday but encountered a non -firm and sincere. The 2026 World Cup will be whatever arrives without him. “I don’t think about it, I don’t think about it anymore. I received an extraordinary tribute in March which moved me a lot and I closed the page. Now you really have to give way to young people. »»
