How LAFC found the missing piece of the puzzle with the signing of Olivier Giroud
LAFC may have found a solution to their ongoing search for a striker by signing Olivier Giroud, who is set to join the Black and Gold this summer.
Giroud reportedly signed a contract earlier this week to join LAFC on an 18-month contract that ties him to Los Angeles through the 2025 Major League Soccer season, according to a transfer expert. Fabrizio Romano.
The 37-year-old World Cup winner will join fellow Frenchman Hugo Lloris, as both will provide plenty of experience for the 2022 MLS Cup winners over the next few seasons. Even though LAFC has managed to be consistent without a true striker, the addition of Giroud will help the Black and Gold's efforts to reach the MLS Cup final for the third time and open up a powerful attack.
It's no secret that LAFC have been in the market for a new number 9, and they will soon have their hands on one of the most prolific strikers of the last decade. Club legend Carlos Vela — who has amassed 147 goals in 188 appearances for LAFC and is currently a free agent — was up to the task last season with 14 goals in all competitions.
However, Vela has shown signs of decline at the age of 35 and has always been more of a midfielder than a striker even if he could work up front alongside Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera. Another point worth noting is that while many may think that LAFC may be going with an older striker than Vela who is out of contract, Giroud has managed to score 13 goals and eight assists in 30 games for Milan this season.
The addition of Giroud also means that Mateusz Bogusz can return to his favorite position in the midfield and coach Steve Cherundolo will not rely on Bouanga who scored a lot of goals for the team. In 2023, Bouanga took the Golden Boot award with 20 goals in the regular season (or 37% of LAFC's 54 goals in 2023), but with Vela's nine goals out of the picture, he is the team's second-highest scorer behind Ryan Hollingshead by seven goals — which is really unfair.
LAFC has had no shortage of players with experience in winning, but Giroud would fit right in with the club's goals of always competing in the finals and aiming to bring home silverware. Since their first MLS season back in 2018, the Western Conference team has lifted one MLS trophy, the Campeones Cup and two Supporters' Shields – while reaching the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
As well as scoring many goals, Giroud also played his part in lifting many trophies in his senior career. The former Chelsea and Arsenal player has lifted four FA Cups, one Europa Leauge and Champions League title, one Serie A title and the 2018 World Cup title with France. When Giroud's winning vision meets players like Bouanga and Ilie Sanchez who are determined to win more trophies, it will push LAFC to more finals with their new flagship.
Giroud is now the latest veteran to switch to MLS from Europe and the league has also prioritized young, up-and-coming talent in recent years to create a unique mix of players between clubs. The likes of Giroud, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Emil Forsberg, Gareth Bale and Lloris have all moved across the pond to get a taste of what MLS has to offer.
