Olivier Giroud Officially Completes Transfer to LAFC
World Cup winner Olivier Giroud officially completed his move to MLS side Los Angeles FC on Tuesday. The French striker will join LAFC on a Designated Player contract through 2025, with an option through 2026. Giroud is currently on Serie A side AC Milan and will be able to make his first MLS appearance likely after the UEFA Euros competition, where he will represent France. The 37-year-old will likely be LAFC’s frontman once he arrives in the United States.
Giroud had a decorated career in Europe, starting off with Grenoble, Istres, and Tours before he broke through at Montpellier. Giroud scored 21 goals in Montpellier’s historic Ligue One-winning 2011-2012 season, earning him a move to England to play for Arsenal. In London, Giroud won three FA Cups and scored a total of 105 goals in six seasons. Giroud then transferred to Chelsea, and despite not seeing nearly as much success, he was able to win even more significant trophies, like the Europa League and Champions League.
More recently, Giroud has played for AC Milan for the past three seasons. He won the Serie A in 2021-2022 and scored 48 goals with the Italian giants. With France, Giroud won the World Cup in 2018 after defeating Belgium 1-0 in the final. Giroud has represented France since 2011 and has a total of 57 goals.
LAFC general manager John Thorrington said the club has been trying to land Giroud since last fall and has nothing but praise for him. “The way he fits really complements our attacking group,” he said. “We do have some incredible attackers already here, but I think he will elevate us, not just with his own productivity, but I think what you see with his ability is he’s not just a pure goal-scorer. He is also very good at facilitating play, and that’s what we saw, which is so compelling.”
LAFC has had its fair share of legends, with players like Giorgio Chiellini, Hugo Lloris, Carlos Vela, and Gareth Bale all having played for the Western Conference side. LAFC is currently fifth in the Western Conference and is led by Denis Bouanga, who has six goals and five assists in 12 matches. Once Giroud arrives in America, expect LAFC’s offense to improve significantly. How much of an impact do you believe Giroud will provide to LAFC?
