Olivier Giroud separates with Los Angeles FC after a disappointing year with the Major League Soccer (MLS) Club.
The 38-year-old Giroud and Lafc announced the decision on social media on Friday. He plays at home in his last game on Sunday evening against Vancouver.
After scoring only five goals in 37 games for Lafc, Giroud becomes a free agent after his departure. It is generally expected to join Lille, who finished fifth in the French league last season, on a free transfer.
«I want to thank all fans, my teammates and the staff of Lafc for making this a pleasant stop in my career,» Giroud said in a statement. «I am happy that I played a role in the success of Lafc. From winning a trophy last season to participating in the club World Cup, this is a great experience in LA for me and my family.»
Giroud came to Lafc in July 2024 as a designated player after a long European career that was emphasized by productive aggregations at Arsenal and Chelsea. The top doed corer in the history of the national team of France was expected to offer dynamic attack alongside MLS stars and fellow French people Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris.
Instead, Giroud clearly struggled to adapt to the MLS game and to Lafc’s counter-attack style under coach Steve Cherundolo. Lafc also failed to find ways to consistently involve Giroud in the attack, unable to offer one of the most dangerous finishers of the sport earlier in his career.
Giroud usually played as a replacement for Lafc, and he did not score his first MLS goal until last April 19. He thought it was just at big moments and scored last season in the US Open Cup final and in the Leagues Cup final.
«Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at Lafc,» said Managing Director John Thorrington. «He brought humility and a winning mentality that helps everyone around him. Olivier has been a great ambassador for the club on and next to the field. We are grateful for his contributions.»
Lafc is suddenly a team in full transition after a winless three game run at the Club World Cup earlier this month. Cherundolo has already announced that he will leave the club to go back to Germany after the season, and Lafc could be to Bouanga as the only designated player by next month.
Earlier this month, Lafc added the Dutch winger Javairô Dilrosun on loan from Club América, but the loan is only July 24. Dilrosun replaced Cengiz Ünder, whose disappointing MLS official period ended this month.
Lafc’s long chase by Antoine Griezmann also came fruitlessly earlier this month when the French star expanded his contract with Atlético Madrid until 2027.
Lafc (7-4-5) is still sixth in the Western Conference classification with two or three games in hand at every club above, and it has an infusion of cash from beating América in a play-in competition to reach the club World Cup.
