Olivier Giroud closing in on MLS exit: LAFC set to transfer striker back to Europe in surprise Lille move

Olivier Giroud is about to a remarkable return to Europe with the veteran striker in conversations to join Lille from Los Angeles FC, according to sources near the negotiations.

Giroud seemed to have ended his career in the top five in Europe last year when he left AC Milan for a move to MLS, but the 38-year-old struggled for form in LA, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 37 games for Steve Cherundolo’s side. Giroud won the US Open Cup shortly after his arrival in the state, but has difficulty setting up and is considered intrigued by the prospect to end his career in his home country.

Sources indicate that negotiations to take giroud to stad Pierre-Mauroy are not yet complete, but there is a widespread expectation that Lille will get their husbands, which will strengthen a strike force that will be exhausted when Jonathan David leaves at the end of the month. Giroud has been contracted with LAFC until the 2025 season with an option to extend with another 12 months.

With 57 goals to his name, Giroud is the record goalscorer of France and led the line when The blues Won de Wereldbeker 2018. Op clubniveau was hij de topscorer van Ligue 1 in het seizoen 2012, waar zijn Montpellier-kant de competitie verbaasde door Paris Saint-Germain naar de titel te verslaan en was hij ook een sleutelfiguur in AC Milan die hun eerste competitietitel won in 11 jaar in 2022. Tussen toen bracht hij negen jaar in Londen door in Londen en won drie FA Cups met Arsenal en Both the Champions League and Europa League in Chelsea.