The formalization intervened at the very end of the evening this Tuesday. Via his social networks LOSC, after having skillfully spared the false suspense, announced the arrival of Olivier Giroud. “Olivier Giroud is back in France. Olivier Giroud is back in France ”, can be read on the club’s X account.
After a year spent under the colors of Los Angeles FC, where he played his last match on Sunday against Vancouver Whitecaps (0-1), the 38-year-old striker finds Ligue 1, thirteen years after leaving him.
He satisfied this Tuesday at the medical examination spent in Paris before joining Lille where he appeared in the afternoon with a Lille jersey and, in particular, pose in front of emblematic monuments of the city such as the belfry or the grand-place.
“A legend of French football is putting on the DOGUES jersey today! LOSC and its president, Olivier Létang, are extremely honored to formalize the arrival at the Olivier Giroud club, “said the press release.
After having signed his one year contract, he will be presented this Wednesday at the media with the Norwegian winger Marius Broholm and the Belgian goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart, the other two northern recruits.
With this return, Ligue 1 welcomes a second 2018 world champion this summer, after Paul Pogba in Monaco. “I am very happy and excited to return to France, home. When Olivier Létang called me to offer me this challenge, it was clear and clear for me, explains Giroud on the club website. It made sense to find Ligue 1 thirteen years after leaving it. I have always considered LOSC as a French top club. »»
Seduced by the Lille project, the former goalscorer of Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea or AC Milan wants to bring his experience: “I know many former Lille, whether Eden (Hazard), Yo Cabaye, Debuch ‘, Rio, Ben’pavard … They all keep super memories of the club, with good values, he recalls. The team made a very good last season and will play the Europa League. It is a young and talented group, who needs experienced players like me. So I will also be there in this role. »»
He will benefit from about three weeks of rest before joining the group led by Bruno Genesio for summer preparation. His return to the elite is supposed to intervene in Brest on August 17 on the occasion of the resumption of the L1.
