AC Milan Striker Olivier Giroud Has Reportedly Verbally Committed To A Transfer To A Major League Soccer (MLS) Giant.
AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has reportedly verbally agreed to join MLS powerhouse Los Angeles FC. The former Chelsea and Arsenal attacker is in the final six months of his contract at San Siro, allowing him to engage in pre-contract discussions with clubs outside Italy.
Despite approaching his 38th birthday in September, Giroud’s goal-scoring prowess remains evident, having scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in 36 matches across all competitions this season.
While AC Milan has not been expected to offer Giroud a new contract as they plan for the future, the French international is not yet ready to retire. A move to North America has been suggested, and it appears to be edging closer to reality, with reports indicating that Los Angeles FC and Giroud have verbally agreed to a transfer. This agreement comes after five months of interest from the Black and Gold club.
🚨🇺🇸 LAFC have reached verbal agreement to sign Olivier Giroud on a contract valid until December 2025!
After interest revealed in October and formal bid earlier this week, there’s an initial agreement in place.
Nothing signed yet but close to being done.
Here we go, soon ⏳🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/SAw90r5IwU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 27, 2024
It is anticipated that Giroud will sign a contract extending until December 2025, which would see him remain in MLS beyond his 39th birthday. Assuming all necessary paperwork is completed, the transfer is expected to proceed smoothly without any obstacles.
Which veteran players will Olivier Giroud join in MLS?
While many retiring players, as well as those still at the peak of their careers, have been tempted by the lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, numerous others have chosen to test their skills in MLS. One of the most notable examples is Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and former Barcelona star, who now leads a group of former Blaugrana stalwarts at Inter Miami. Alongside Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets form a formidable quartet with a combined age of 107.
Giroud’s potential move to MLS would reunite the experienced French striker with another member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, Hugo Lloris, who now tends the goal for Los Angeles FC. At 37 years and two months old, Lloris is currently the seventh-oldest player to grace the division this season. He is just two years younger than Brad Guzan, the oldest player in the current MLS season at 39 years old, who plays for Atlanta United and has had stints at Aston Villa, Hull City, and Middlesbrough.
Martin Caceres, a former Champions League winner with Barcelona, is currently with Los Angeles Galaxy. Other notable players who have made the move to MLS include Maya Yoshida, Teemu Pukki, Christian Benteke, Lorenzo Insigne, Ashley Westwood, and Asier Illarramendi.
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