With the major European domestic leagues almost fully at a close now, the Italian domestic campaign only has a handful of games remaining in 2023/24, and then fans across the continent will turn their eyes to both the summer transfer market and the upcoming 2024 European Championships.
But as fans will know, some decisions have already been taken by clubs when it comes to how they want to reshape, or even shake up, their first team squads for the coming 2024/25 campaign, and with contracts not renewed, players are also making their own decisions on what the next steps of their career will look like – and French international striker Olivier Giroud has recently announced his own next new adventure.
The 37 year old has now confirmed that he will be making a move to the United States Major League Soccer franchise when his existing contract at AC Milan comes to a natural end in the next few months. The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has already signed a pre contract with Los Angeles FC until the end of their 2025 campaign, and there is an additional 12 month option on top of that which could see him spend a further year out in the US.
Giroud has had an interesting career across France, England and Italy, and having arrived at the San Siro back in the summer of 2021, his three years at the Rossoneri have seen him take in just over 100 games, with a goal return of almost 50, and he obviously helped the club to their 2021/22 Serie A title win.
With multiple trophies and individual accolades to his name across his vast and successful career, one of his more bizarre achievements was in picking up the Matchweek 8 Best Goalkeeper award for 2023/24 at AC.
In their game with Genoa, the match descended into a farce at the end of the match and both goalkeepers ultimately saw red and were sent from the pitch, and for some reason the 131 capped striker was chosen as the replacement between the sticks. He then went on to pull off a fantastic double save to help send the points in AC’s direction and was named in the official Team of the Week.
One thing is for sure, he is in their memories and their record books even though he will now soon officially leave, but he will likely be very warmly welcomed back in the future for his achievements at the club.
But for now, a new journey awaits, as does a reunion with international colleague Hugo Lloris (so he will probably be hoping he does not have to go in goal again).
