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Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
French striker Giroud to leave LAFC after just over a year, to play last game on Sunday
LOS ANGELES, June 28 — Olivier Giroud, France's all-time top goalscorer, and Los Angeles FC have mutually agreed to part ways, the MLS club announced on yesterday. The 38-year-old striker, who joined LAFC in May 2024 from AC Milan, will play his last match for the team on Sunday against Vancouver. 'Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,' team co-president and general manager John Thorrington said. 'He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him.' Giroud has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 club Lille, according to several media reports in France. Giroud helped LAFC reach the 2024 Leagues Cup final, where he scored his first goal for the club. He also scored in the 2024 US Open Cup final, helping LAFC win the trophy for the first time. 'I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career,' Giroud said. 'I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC.' Giroud has scored nearly 300 goals in more than 700 club matches, winning major trophies at Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan. The 2018 World Cup winner leads France's all-time scoring charts with 57 goals. — AFP
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Olivier Giroud 'set to return to Europe at 38' - as LAFC confirm the former Chelsea and Arsenal striker's exit
Olivier Giroud has departed LAFC and reached an agreement to return to Europe, according to reports. The Frenchman has made 37 appearances and scored five goals for the MLS outfit since joining from AC Milan last summer. But after just over a year in Los Angeles, Giroud's final match with the club will be on Sunday, June 29, when the Black and Gold host Vancouver Whitecaps. At 38 years old, Giroud still seems keen to play at the highest level and has agreed a one-year contract proposal from Lille, as per Fabrizio Romano. It is understood that the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has booked his medical with the Ligue 1 side, and will return to his home nation as the sun sets on his career. As per an official announcement from LAFC, the decision for Giroud to depart the club was mutually agreed upon. Merci, Olivier. 📰 LAFC and Olivier Giroud have reached a mutual decision to part ways. Giroud's final match with LAFC will be this Sunday, June 29, when the Black & Gold take on Vancouver at @BMOStadium at 6:30 pm PT. — LAFC (@LAFC) June 27, 2025 After netting against Portland Timbers in April, Giroud became the oldest ever European player to score in the MLS, at 38 years 6 months and 19 days. With LAFC, he added another piece of silverware to his cabinet, winning the U.S Open Cup in 2024. Giroud will return to France, where he began his career playing in Grenoble's youth academy before finally signing his first professional contract at the age of 21. He then endured a loan spell at Istres before permanently moving to Tours, where he enjoyed a standout stint. With 21 goals in the 2009–10 season, Giroud became Ligue 2 top scorer. His rise continued at Montpellier, helping the club win its first-ever Ligue 1 title in 2011–12 by scoring a league-best 21 goals. This earned him a move to Arsenal in 2012, where he scored 105 goals in 253 appearances, winning three FA Cups along the way. In January 2018, Giroud joined Chelsea, where he contributed 39 goals in 119 games, enjoying success in the FA Cup, Europa League, and, of course, the Champions League, which Chelsea won in 2021. Giroud then moved to AC Milan in 2021, helping them clinch their first Serie A title in 11 years by scoring 11 league goals in his debut season. Across three seasons in Italy, he netted 49 times in 132 matches.
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Olivier Giroud, France's All-Time leading scorer, mutually parts ways with LAFC
At least they'll always have their brief time together in the Club World Cup. On Friday, Los Angeles FC announced that it had mutually parted ways with striker Olivier Giroud. France's all-time leading scorer, Giroud, debuted for the MLS side on August 13, 2024, after ending his time with AC Milan. He will depart the team after this Sunday's match, with the Western Conference leading Vancouver Whitecaps visiting BMO Stadium. Advertisement 'I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career,' Giroud said in the team's press release. 'I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC. From winning a trophy last season to participating in the Club World Cup, this has been a great experience in L.A. for me and my family.' Expectations were high when LAFC brought the striker in, as he remained in strong form with his previous employer in Serie A. LAFC was the fifth stop in Giroud's storied career, following tenures with Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea and Milan. At each of those previous clubs, Giroud was an ideal line-leading striker, able to link up during build-up phases while offering consistent finishing of both the routine and acrobatic varieties. Giroud made a quick first impression, scoring his team's lone goal in a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew in the 2024 Leagues Cup final. He also scored the opening goal in LAFC's 3-1 triumph over Sporting Kansas City in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup final, showing his big-game bona fides had followed him across the Atlantic. In the league, however, Giroud struggled to find his opportunities. Head coach Steve Cherundolo, who announced in April that he will depart LAFC at the end of this season, sets up his team to feast in transition. While Los Angeles FC isn't a possession-agnostic side that simply parks the bus, they aim to lull opponents with measured sequences of possession before quickly breaking upfield, often through dynamic winger Denis Bouanga. However, that style of play hardly suited Giroud at this advanced stage of his career. The 38-year-old struggled to keep stride with Bouanga and more youthful supporting attackers David Martínez and Nathan Ordaz, often getting touches early in these sequences — while they were in midfield — but lumbering behind the play thereafter. As such, his tally of counting stats is meager: five goals and four assists in 37 matches across all competitions. 'Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,' LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said. '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.' Giroud was not LAFC's first attempt to get the most out of an aging icon toward the end of their career. In 2022, their successful run to win MLS Cup included key contributions from Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale before both players called time on their careers. Before signing Giroud, Los Angeles had brought over France teammate and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at the end of his time with Tottenham Hotspur. LAFC was also long linked to another compatriot, star forward Antoine Griezmann, but the 34-year-old signed an extension that will keep him with Atlético Madrid through the 2026-27 La Liga season. Advertisement Giroud's final involvements (before Sunday's sendoff) came in the Club World Cup, which saw LAFC lose its first two games against Chelsea and Espérance de Tunis before playing Flamengo to a draw. Giroud appeared in all three matches, logging 161 minutes but getting just 50 touches of the ball. His only shot of the tournament, a second-half attempt against Espérance, was blocked before it could threaten the goalkeeper.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Possible strikers AC Milan could target this summer
Possible strikers AC Milan could target this summer AC Milan are gearing up for a new era under new manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has returned to San Siro after 11 years. Luka Modric is set to become the first of many signings in what promises to be a busy summer transfer window. Advertisement While a plethora of midfielders continue to get linked with Milan, signing a striker will be as important. The Rossoneri paid €32 million for Santiago Gimenez in February, but the Mexican has failed to replicate the sublime form he showed at Feyenoord. Alvaro Morata, who was signed last summer, struggled to make an impact before moving to Galatasaray on loan in the winter transfer window. Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham are also on the verge of leaving San Siro this summer. Here are the possible centre forwards Milan could target this summer Dusan Vlahovic The Serbian striker has been heavily linked with a move to Milan, with Allegri looking for a reunion after working with him at Juventus. Advertisement Vlahovic's future appears to lie far away from Juventus, who are open to cashing in on him this summer before his deal expires in a year. The former Fiorentina man has had mixed success with the Old Lady, failing to live up to his hefty €70 million transfer fee. A lot can be attributed to the Old Lady's collective decline in recent years, with Inter Milan and Napoli knocking them off their perch. Nevertheless, Vlahovic's talent is undeniable, and he can reach the top in the right environment. Vlahovic has a similar profile to Gimenez – tall, physical, predatory instincts inside the box and good build-up play. Advertisement Juve want to recoup at least €30 million from Vlahovic, and Milan can provide him with an escape route to revive his career. Moise Kean Kean has reinvented himself at Fiorentina after bagging 25 goals and four assists last season. The Italian's stock has skyrocketed, with several European heavyweights and Saudi clubs hot on his trail. Milan are among the interested parties for the former Everton star, but La Viola are trying to keep him for next season. Goncalo Ramos Goncalo Ramos provides an excellent opportunity for Milan as he faces an uncertain future at Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese striker has slipped down the pecking order under manager Luis Enrique following his €80m move from Benfica. Advertisement Still, Ramos has displayed his class and finishing prowess even with the limited opportunities, playing a part in PSG's treble last season. Ousmane Dembele has found unprecedented success after being converted into a No.9 and will continue to play in his newfound position next season. PSG might look to count Ramos as an ideal backup unless a huge offer knocks on their door. Milan need a young forward to spearhead their attack for years to come, and Ramos can be a top addition. Mateo Retegui Retegui enjoyed a breathtaking 2024/25 campaign with Atalanta, finishing as Serie A's top scorer with 25 goals. Advertisement He racked up 37 goal contributions in total to fortify his status as one of the finest strikers in Europe. The 26-year-old would be a brilliant signing for Milan, but it would be difficult to prise him away from Atalanta. Especially, the absence of Champions League football at Milan next season may not appeal to Retegui.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giroud to leave MLS side LAFC
LAFC and French forward Olivier Giroud have mutually agreed to part ways, the MLS club announced (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA) Olivier Giroud, France's all-time top goalscorer, and Los Angeles FC have mutually agreed to part ways, the MLS club announced on Friday. The 38-year-old striker, who joined LAFC in May 2024 from AC Milan, will play his last match for the team on Sunday against Vancouver. Advertisement "Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC," team co-president and general manager John Thorrington said. "He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him." Giroud has been heavily linked with a move to Ligue 1 club Lille, according to several media reports in France. Giroud helped LAFC reach the 2024 Leagues Cup final, where he scored his first goal for the club. He also scored in the 2024 US Open Cup final, helping LAFC win the trophy for the first time. "I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career," Giroud said. "I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC." Advertisement Giroud has scored nearly 300 goals in more than 700 club matches, winning major trophies at Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan. The 2018 World Cup winner leads France's all-time scoring charts with 57 goals. js/jc/nf
