A major reinforcement will be joining LAFC this coming summer.
On Tuesday, LAFC confirmed a month-long rumor, as they announced that they had signed renowned French striker Oliver Giroud to a Designated Player contract. Giroud’s contract will run through the remainder of this season and all of next season, with a option for the 2026 season.
“I am delighted and excited to join LAFC,” Giroud said. “I can’t wait to get to Los Angeles and to play in front of the 3252 and all of the incredible fans.”
Giroud joins LAFC after a storied career across Europe. Giroud played for three clubs, with his most successful spells coming with Arsenal and AC Milan. After starting his career with Montpellier, Giroud came to Arsenal in 2012, and he established himself as one of the best target strikers in the world. Giroud scored 83 goals over five and a half seasons and 180 matches. Giroud also won trophies for the Gunners, helping Arsenal win three FA Cup titles. Giroud then joined Chelsea midway through the 2018 season, and while he wasn’t as effective for Chelsea as he was for the Gunners, Giroud continued to experience success on the team side, as he won his fourth FA Cup title, a Europa League Title in 2019, in which he beat his former team, Arsenal, in the final, and perhaps the most satisfying of all, he won his only Champions League title in 2021.
Giroud then went to Italy, where he joined AC Milan. In his first season with the Rossoneri, he scored 11 goals and helped AC Milan win its first Serie A title in a decade. Giroud played a total of 95 matches over three seasons and scored 38 goals.
“It is an incredibly exciting day for all associated with LAFC to welcome Olivier, his wife Jennifer, and his family to the club,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “Olivier has a clear hunger to win, which he has done consistently throughout his club and international career. His championship ambition and his qualities as a man and as a player directly align with ours as a club, therefore we believe Olivier will be a great addition as we continue in our pursuit of more trophies.”
Giroud has also represented France over numerous competitions. Giroud has earned 131 caps for Les Bleus and has appeared in three World Cups, two European Championships and a UEFA Nations League tournament. Giroud scored 57 goals, including a winning goal against England in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and was on France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad and Nations League winning squad in 2021.
