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According to latest developments, Olivier Giroud is all set to make a return to Europe and play for his home team Lille. The French striker has already accepted the move and is ready to make a return to his country. Lille are now working on club to club deal with Los Angeles FC to make this signing official, as per Fabrizio Romano, the Italian sports journalist.
Giroud is expected to terminate his LAFC deal early, with his current contract set to run until December and an option for 2026 still on the table. With LAFC reportedly exploring the option to bring in Thomas Muller, the Frenchman has opted to seek a fresh start back in Europe. This move will see Giroud return to French league for the first time since his title-winning campaign with Montpellier in 2011-12.
LOSC look to sign Olivier Giroud on a one-year contract
The 38-year-old is France’s all-time leading goal-scorer, scoring 57 goals for the French national team and was the leading striker when France won the World Cup in the year 2018. While his move to the MLS made everyone rule him out of European football, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker struggled to meet expectations in MLS, scoring just five goals in 37 matches across all competitions.
According to sources, Lille president Olivier Letang has already confirmed club's interest in him, saying, "I’d love to see him join us. He brings everything we seek, tactical fit, experience, high standards, and great human values. But he belongs to another club, and I don’t see how it could happen easily”. Lille have identified Giroud as the ideal replacement for Jonathan David, who departed the club on a free transfer earlier this summer. Giroud is reportedly set to cut short his American adventure and make a return to European ways.
