Products You May Like
-
Jeff Carlisle
Close
Jeff Carlisle
U.S. soccer correspondent
- Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.
-
Julien Laurens
MLS side LAFC is finalizing a deal with AC Milan and France international forward Olivier Giroud, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Athletic was first to report the news.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Giroud, 37, is set to join up with LAFC after completing his obligations to the France national team at Euro 2024, which is set to take place between June 14 and July 14. The MLS summer transfer window opens on July 18 and lasts through Aug. 14.
The deal is expected to last through at least the end of the 2025 season and would make Giroud a designated player for LAFC.
LAFC owns Giroud’s discovery rights — the right of first refusal among MLS clubs – meaning there is no impediment to LAFC signing the forward, though Giroud is known to have spoken with other MLS clubs.
His current deal with AC Milan expires at the end of the 2023-24 Serie A season. Giroud would also need to pass a physical and acquire a work visa before he officially signs with LAFC.
Giroud has been a prolific goalscorer for both club and country, netting 276 times in a club career that has spanned nearly 700 league and cup appearances, and is France’s all-time leading scorer with 57 in 131 appearances.
He was part of France’s World Cup-winning side in 2018, and has won a total of 11 trophies with several clubs, including Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea and Milan, the latter of which he helped win Serie A during the 2021-22 season.
Giroud also represented France at two other World Cups and three European Championships. This season, Giroud has been in outstanding form, scoring 12 goals and adding eight assists in 26 Serie A appearances.
LAFC has reached the MLS Cup in the past two seasons, defeating the Philadelphia Union in the final in 2022 before losing to the Columbus Crew in 2023.
The club has plenty of roster flexibility heading into the summer, with two designated player spots currently open.
LAFC is in sixth place in the Western Conference this season with seven points from five matches.