The worst kept secret throughout the weekend is a secret no more.
On Monday, LAFC made official what had been rumored and reported throughout the weekend, as they signed international superstar Gareth Bale to a one-year contract with options that could extend to the end of the 2024 season. LAFC signed Bale using targeted allocation money, meaning that LAFC will still have an open Designated Player spot available for further upgrades if needed.
“Gareth is one of the most dynamic and exciting attacking players of his generation,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Adding a player who brings the talent and experience at the highest levels that Gareth does is an incredible opportunity to continue to improve our Club. Gareth is highly motivated to continue to win trophies and we are elated that he has made the choice to join LAFC and help lead us in our ultimate goal of winning championships.”
Bale’s credentials are impeccable. In a span of 15 years, most of them playing for Tottenham Hotspur, then with Real Madrid, Bale has played in 382 games and scored 139 goals and won Premier League player of the year honors in what became his final season with Tottenham. Bale however has experienced massive success at the club level, mostly with Madrid, having won five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cup Titles, three European Super Cup Championships, three La Liga Championships, three Spanish Super Cup Trophies and one Copa Del Rey Title. Bale’s relationship with Madrid however soured over the last few seasons, as he played sparingly at the Santiago Bernabeu and on a couple of occasions had one foot out the door. A move to China’s Jiansu Suning in 2019 failed to materialize and Bale spent the 2020-2021 season back with Tottenham Hotspur. Now Bale will be calling Los Angeles home, at least for the remainder of this season and the first half of next season.
“I am extremely excited for this move to LAFC,” Bale said in a statement. “This is the right place for me and my family and the right time in my career, and I cannot wait to get started working with the team and getting ready to win more trophies in Los Angeles.”
Bale has been just as great on the international stage for Wales. Bale has 106 caps for the Dragons and scored 39 goals. But as with his club career, it is the level of success that Wales has experienced with Bale that matters the most. With Bale, Wales advanced to the semifinals of Euro 2016 and in the last tournament made the Round of 16. Bale has also helped Wales qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958 and will face the United States in its first matchup of Group C.
