French striker Olivier Giroud has taken the decision to leave AC Milan in the summer transfer window and sign for MLS side Los Angeles FC.
According to Calciomercato.com, Giroud is going to sign an 18-month contract with the American team and the move is being made with a view to a future in management, rather than just being made for playing reasons.
Whilst there is currently no official announcement from the club or the player, the talks are at an advanced stage and it seems inevitable that Giroud will not be a Milan player next season.
There was a potential hint dropped by LAFC on X recently as they shared a video with the caption ‘Bonne Nuit’, although this may have been referencing a move for Ajaccio defender Maxime Chanot.
Bonne nuit 😴 pic.twitter.com/BB2JZHxzqG
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 27, 2024
Giroud is out of contract at the end of this season and there has always been a chance that he would pursue his minor dream of playing in America, but the club held out hope that he would extend by another year. Now he will have to be replaced.
Giroud has spent three years at Milan and was a key part of the team that won the Scudetto in 2021/22. He would be leaving Milan at a point where he is still viewed as a very important player.
Win – Win. Giroud moves on towards retirement.
Milan is forced into signing two (hopefully younger)
mobile strikers instead of relying on Giroud for another season. I hope we can find someone to build on Giroud’s numbers.
It’s been a great run by Oli at Milan. His pedigree shone through. Even through his age and tired legs, he helped carry this team with his contributions.
There better be a warm send off for him at Milan’s last home game. Forza Oli!
Agreed. Not sure if we’ll sign TWO strikers (if Jovic stays), but it does force us to sign a good no. 9, instead of kicking the can down the road and potentially signing another stop-gap player if Giroud had stayed.
Well said
Win-win? Yeah, for Giroud and LA but a huge loss to Milan and Milan-fans. Replacing him will not be easy and looking at the track-record of recent #9s I’m not holding my breath on getting a player on his level.
If it’s true, good luck to Giroud.
He didn’t get much service these 3 years, but when he did, more often than not, he put the ball in the net.
True professional. His availability week in week out was unmatched. He is probably one of the very few players that Pioli and Osti couldn’t butcher.
Singlehandedly in 3 minutes he changed the season in 21/22 in that derby vs Inter. From being 7 points behind inter and them having a game in hand, Giroud made it minus 1 and game in hand. The rest is history.
Keeping himself in impeccable condition, being able to play every 3 days, I didn’t expect him to wanna stay and be a backup.
His numbers were not eye popping but nevertheless consistent, especially for a player his age.
That being said, Milan needs something more from that position. Hopefully they sign someone that will produce more than Giroud.
Keep Jovic and sign another player.
Giroud was professional, put in his all and played with general consistency. He got us the goals and got double digits for a player his age is impressive.
Giroud is still a world-class CF, and would have definitely been able to do a job for Milan for at least one more season. He’s also a great role model for young strikers. I really think this is a shame; the guy has been underrated all his professional life and I think ACM should have tried harder to hang onto him.
I will miss Giroud. His professionalism, goal scoring and his class is a perfect match with Milan. I wish we would have signed him earlier in his career.
Good luck Le phénix!
Too sad 🙁 We haven’t had such a great #9 since Pippo Inzaghi era. Giroud is natural born scorer and he could even score headers from unbelievable positions. I don’t expect ACM can get anyone even close to Giroud. Next year we will play our last Champions League and then we will rot in the middle of Serie A just like in 2010’s.