Latest news with #Lille
Daily Mail
7 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.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🚨 Olivier Giroud becomes free agent after mutual agreement with LAFC
🚨 Olivier Giroud becomes free agent after mutual agreement with LAFC Veteran striker Olivier Giroud has agreed to depart LAFC and become a free agent after a disappointing stint with the MLS club. The Frenchman scored just three goals in 20 MLS matches for the Black and Gold, despite being brought in as the club's showpiece attacking star in July 2024. Reports have strongly suggested that the 38-year-old will join Ligue 1 side Lille ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Advertisement 'Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,' said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. 'He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him." Giroud will play one final game for the club, this Sunday against Western Conference rivals Vancouver Whitecaps. Meanwhile, the move opens the door for LAFC to further spend this summer and add to the Designated Player ranks before taking another shot at winning MLS Cup in December. 📸 Luke Hales - 2025 Getty Images
Fox News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Olivier Giroud leaves LAFC after 1 year, expected to return to France
Olivier Giroud is deciding to go in a different direction after one disappointing year with Los Angeles FC, the Major League Soccer club. The 38-year-old Giroud and LAFC announced the decision Friday on social media. His final match will be Sunday night at home against Vancouver. After scoring only five goals in 37 matches for LAFC, Giroud will become a free agent after his departure. He is widely expected to join Lille, which finished fifth in the French league last season, on a free transfer. "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 a statement. "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 LA for me and my family." Giroud joined LAFC in July 2024 as a designated player after a long European career highlighted by prolific tenures with Arsenal and Chelsea. The top goal-scorer in the history of France's national team was expected to provide dynamic offense alongside MLS stars and fellow Frenchmen Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris. Instead, Giroud clearly struggled to adapt to the MLS game and to LAFC's counter-attacking style under coach Steve Cherundolo. LAFC also failed to figure out ways to involve Giroud in the offense consistently, unable to provide service to one of the sport's most dangerous finishers earlier in his career. Giroud usually played as a substitute for LAFC, and he didn't score his first MLS goal until last April 19. He did find the net in big moments, scoring in the U.S. Open Cup final last season and in the Leagues Cup final. "Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC," 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. We are grateful for his contributions." LAFC is suddenly a team in full transition after a winless three-game run at the Club World Cup earlier this month. Cherundolo already has announced he will leave the club to move back to Germany after the season, and LAFC could be down to Bouanga as its only designated player by next month. LAFC added Dutch winger Javairo Dilrosun on loan from Club America earlier this month, but the loan is only through July 24. Dilrosun replaced Cengiz Under, whose disappointing MLS tenure ended this month. LAFC's lengthy pursuit of Antoine Griezmann also came up fruitless earlier this month when the French star extended his contract with Atletico Madrid through 2027. LAFC (7-4-5) still sits sixth in the Western Conference standings with two or three games in hand on every club above it, and it has an infusion of cash from beating América in a play-in match to reach the Club World Cup. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Associated Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
French striker Olivier Giroud is parting ways with MLS club LAFC after 1 disappointing year
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud is parting ways with Los Angeles FC after one disappointing year with the Major League Soccer club. The 38-year-old Giroud and LAFC announced the decision Friday on social media. He will play in his final match Sunday night at home against Vancouver. After scoring only five goals in 37 matches for LAFC, Giroud will become a free agent after his departure. He is widely expected to join Lille, which finished fifth in the French league last season, on a free transfer. '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 a statement. '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 LA for me and my family.' Giroud joined LAFC in July 2024 as a designated player after a long European career highlighted by prolific tenures with Arsenal and Chelsea. The top goal-scorer in the history of France's national team was expected to provide dynamic offense alongside MLS stars and fellow Frenchmen Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris. Instead, Giroud clearly struggled to adapt to the MLS game and to LAFC's counter-attacking style under coach Steve Cherundolo. LAFC also failed to figure out ways to involve Giroud in the offense consistently, unable to provide service to one of the sport's most dangerous finishers earlier in his career. Giroud usually played as a substitute for LAFC, and he didn't score his first MLS goal until last April 19. He did find the net in big moments, scoring in the U.S. Open Cup final last season and in the Leagues Cup final. 'Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,' 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. We are grateful for his contributions.' LAFC is suddenly a team in full transition after a winless three-game run at the Club World Cup earlier this month. Cherundolo already has announced he will leave the club to move back to Germany after the season, and LAFC could be down to Bouanga as its only designated player by next month. LAFC added Dutch winger Javairô Dilrosun on loan from Club América earlier this month, but the loan is only through July 24. Dilrosun replaced Cengiz Ünder, whose disappointing MLS tenure ended this month. LAFC's lengthy pursuit of Antoine Griezmann also came up fruitless earlier this month when the French star extended his contract with Atlético Madrid through 2027. LAFC (7-4-5) still sits sixth in the Western Conference standings with two or three games in hand on every club above it, and it has an infusion of cash from beating América in a play-in match to reach the Club World Cup. ___ AP soccer:
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hamza Igamane to Lille could be OFF as Rangers ‘stand firm' on megabucks transfer fee
MONEY TALKS Hamza Igamane to Lille could be OFF as Rangers 'stand firm' on megabucks transfer fee LILLE have backed down in their pursuit of Rangers star Hamza Igamane, after being put off by the Ibrox club's asking price. The Ligue 1 side made a serious push to sign the Light Blues forward this week, going as far as agreeing personal terms. Advertisement 1 Hamza Igamane celebrating his goal against Celtic from back in March Credit: PA Gers bought the Moroccan for £1.7million last summer but were demanding a transfer fee in the region of £15million for the 22-year-old. The player himself was reported to be keen on exploring the move after talks were held with his agent but Lille weren't willing to match Rangers' evaluation. According to the Daily Record, the French outfit have now switched their focus to other targets on their summer wishlist until such a point as Gers reduce his price tag. It's understood that is unlikely however, with the Light Blues comfortable that they won't be pressured into rushing into a sale. Advertisement Reports claim the Ibrox club have received NO official bid from Lille, suggesting the Mastiffs were indeed put off by the hefty fee. More to follow. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
