3 days ago
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Return to France
©IMAGO
Olivier Giroud is set to return to his native France. On Friday, Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC and star striker Giroud announced that they have reached a mutual decision to part ways. Giroud will play his final match as a member of LAFC this Sunday against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Giroud has been heavily linked with a return to France, where Lille have been working hard to sign the 38-year-old.
“Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said in a club statement. “He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him. Olivier has been a tremendous ambassador for the club on and off the field. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him, his wife Jennifer, and his family all the very best in this next chapter.”
Giroud joined LAFC on a free transfer from AC Milan last summer. During his time with the Black and Golds, Giroud managed just five goals and three assists in 37 games. Giroud’s time in the United States also coincided with LAFC’s run at the FIFA Club World Cup. The MLS club crashed out after the group stage with Giroud being largely ineffective across 161 minutes against Chelsea, Esperance, and Flamengo.
Giroud back to Lille? – Deal appears imminent
What is next for Giroud? News out of France have heavily linked Giroud with a return to Ligue 1, where Lille are very interested. Lille are set to lose Canadian men’s national team striker Jonathan David to free agency and want to add experienced depth in the attack. Signing Giroud is, however, a gamble. The Frenchman struggled significantly with the physical demands of MLS play and found life in Ligue 1 challenging.
