Lille Oxygenates Californian Striker Olivier Giroud
Ol' Giroud Headed North: Leaving LAFC for Lille
California's glorious sun isn't quite shining as bright for Olivier Giroud anymore. The sun-soaked days are numbered, replaced instead by chillier gentleman's handshakes and sandy cobblestone streets that Lille promises.
Giroud, France's prized forward who can't seem to stop scoring the slightest bit more goals, is on the verge of signing for Lille — if recent rumors ring true. A close source to the club claimed, over the weekend, that the 38-year-old goal-getting machine was en route to the North of France mid-week. This is backed up by the fact that Lille is reportedly in deep talks with the striker, whose sun-kissed days with Los Angeles FC came to an abrupt end on Friday when they confirmed he had departed.
Giroud made the move to LAFC in 2024 after three solid years with AC Milan. His final appearance as a French champion, bowing out of the Euro held in Germany, looked like his send-off from Ligue 1. But it seems the heart of France was never really fully lost to the land of the free and the home of the brave, because he scored a measly 5 goals in 37 matches.
His final match for LAFC will be this Sunday, against Vancouver. The striker has already penned heartfelt farewells to supporters, teammates, and LAFC staff, calling his time in California an "incredible experience for [him] and [his] family."
It's rumored that Giroud has been in talks with Lille for quite a while, and that the French side are eager to induct him into their ranks as a replacement for their top scorer of the last five seasons — the Canadian Jonathan David, who left for greener pastures at the end of his contract. If all goes as planned, Giroud could be the second 2018 World Champion to join Ligue 1 this summer, as it's also reported that his former teammate Paul Pogba signed a contract that'll bind him to AS Monaco until 2027.
In short, yeah, it looks like Olivier Giroud is trading his sunny days of LAFC for the gritty northern charm of Lille. With a two-year deal in the works, the French forward is gearing up for a second stint in Ligue 1, bringing his veteran leadership to the Lille squad for their upcoming Europa League campaign.
Olivier Giroud's professional journey takes a turn as he is on the verge of joining Lille, leaving behind LAFC in California. With a possible two-year deal, Giroud will be revisiting European-leagues, specifically Laliga, as he prepares to contribute his veteran leadership to Lille's upcoming Europa League campaign.
