Los Angeles FC's early exit from the group stage of the Club World Cup left them very frustrated, as they were the first team to fall in the Fifa tournament held in the United States despite having some very veteran names in their squad. However, the latest reports indicate that Olivier Giroud managed to stand out positively in the two games and ended up accepting one last big challenge in his career a long way from the MLS.
After negotiations that had been going on for a few weeks, the center-forward has officially accepted Lille's offer and will be playing in the next Ligue 1 season even at the advanced age of 38. This will be possible thanks to Lille president Oliver Létang, who is a personal fan of the striker, who will replace Jonathan David in the squad.
Not even the current salary of 3 million euros paid by LA FC was enough to stop Giroud from leaving Major League Soccer, having only played 18 games this season, scoring three goals. The striker had an active contract until December this year, but is looking for a new challenge in his career in the elite of French soccer in a league that will already see the return of Paul Pogba (playing for Monaco).
There is an expectation that his contract with Los Angeles FC will be terminated at any moment after Giroud signed for Lille, falling short of expectations in the MLS with just five goals in 37 games. His signing as a designated player with a salary of 3 million euros wasn't enough to live up to expectations, despite winning the US Open Cup and playing in the Club World Cup.
Giroud returns to the league where he broke into world soccer
Olivier Giroud will return to Ligue 1 for the first time since the 2011/12 season, when his excellent performances in France led to a move to Arsenal the following season. In England, he also played for Chelsea, where he won the Champions League.