The Arrival of Olivier Giroud to LAFC: A Game Changer

LAFC head coach Steven Cherundolo has confirmed that Olivier Giroud will finally be making his debut for the MLS team in the upcoming Leagues Cup match against the San Jose Earthquakes. This comes after LAFC secured Giroud on a free transfer in April, with the forward officially joining the team on August 1st following his participation in the European Championship with France. Cherundolo expressed his excitement about Giroud’s availability for the match, hinting at the potential impact the player can have on the team.

Having had a successful 2023-24 season with AC Milan, where he scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 35 regular-season matches, Giroud’s former France teammate Hugo Lloris believes the forward will bring a new dynamic to the LAFC squad. Lloris highlighted Giroud’s qualities as a player and emphasized the importance of his leadership and experience. He also mentioned that Giroud’s decision to move to MLS aligns with his desire to continue winning and contribute to the development of a young team.

After a remarkable career spanning 18 years in the top professional leagues of Ligue 1, the Premier League, and Serie A, including his recent stint with AC Milan, Giroud has made the move to the United States to join LAFC. With an impressive record of 285 goals in 716 club matches, Giroud brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to his new team. Despite receiving interest from the LA Galaxy in 2021, Giroud opted to sign for Milan before eventually landing at LAFC.

During his introductory news conference, Giroud jokingly recalled the time when the LA Galaxy reached out to him in 2021. However, he asserted that the timing was not right for him to leave Europe at that point. Fast forward to the present, Giroud’s arrival at LAFC signifies a new chapter in his career, one that is bound to have a significant impact on the team and the league as a whole. His decision to join MLS demonstrates his ambition to continue competing at a high level and contribute to the growth of the sport in the United States.