Lille have announced the signing of Olivier Giroud from Los Angeles FC.
The 38-year-old centre-forward, who has been released by mutual agreement from the last six months of his contract with the Californian club, has signed a season-long deal with Les Dogues. An option for a further year has also been included in the operation. The all-time leading scorer for France is joining LOSC to help compensate for the departure of Jonathan David, author of 109 goals in 231 games played for Lille.
“I hope that I can be a useful member of the team, a leader and someone who can bring people together on and off the pitch with the youngsters, and I’m excited about the prospect of playing in the Europa League. Lille is a big club in France, one of the five best,” said the former Arsenal man himself on the sidelines of LAFC’s 1-0 defeat by the Whitecaps on Sunday.
After Paul Pogba, who recently signed for AS Monaco, Giroud is the second French 2018 World Cup winner to move to Ligue 1 this summer. A return to his roots for the player with 57 goals for Les Bleus, who won the league title with Montpellier in 2012.
“I’m very happy and excited to be back in France, back home. When Olivier Létang called to offer me this challenge, it was crystal clear to me. It made perfect sense to return to Ligue 1 thirteen years after leaving it,” said Giroud.
“I’ve always considered LOSC to be a top French club. In fact, I know a lot of former Lille players, including Eden, Yo Cabaye, Debuch’, Rio, Ben’ Pavard… They all have great memories of the club, with good values.
“The team had a great season last year and will be playing in the Europa League. It’s a young, talented group that needs experienced players like me. So I’m going to be there in that role too.”
