Giroud excited to observe Pogba again to France after confirming Lille swap

Olivier Giroud is worked up by the prospect of developing towards former France team-mate Paul Pogba in Ligue 1, having agreed to hitch Lille as a free agent.

It was confirmed on Friday that Giroud would go away Los Angeles FC by mutual consent after a single yr with the MLS membership.

He solely scored 5 objectives in 38 video games for LAFC throughout all competitions, underperforming his complete of 6.97 anticipated objectives (xG), although he did assist the facet win their first U.S. Open Cup crown and attain the Western Convention semifinals.

Giroud’s closing sport for the membership was a 1-0 house defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, and the 38-year-old, who’s France’s all-time main goalscorer, confirmed afterwards that he’s set for a transfer to Lille.

Lille completed fifth in Ligue 1 final season, narrowly lacking out on a spot within the Champions League, although they’ve now completed within the high 5 in three successive campaigns.

Giroud is relishing the possibility to return to the Europa League, which he received with Chelsea in 2018-19, in addition to the chance for a reunion with fellow 2018 World Cup winner Pogba, who joined Monaco on Saturday.

“I feel French followers are joyful that Paul Pogba and I are returning to Ligue 1. A number of years in the past, I’d’ve informed you coming again wasn’t a part of my plans,” Giroud mentioned.

“I want I had made extra of an impression in MLS, however it was an important expertise. Now, I’m prepared for a brand new problem.

“LOSC ticked numerous packing containers for me and my household. I wish to be a pacesetter on and off the pitch, a hyperlink between the children and the workers, and enjoying within the Europa League is thrilling.”

Giroud final appeared within the French high flight in 2011-12, when he helped Montpellier to a shock title win with 21 objectives in 37 matches.

That is still Giroud’s most prolific marketing campaign in one in every of Europe’s high 5 leagues.

He netted 15 instances for AC Milan in Serie A in 2023-24, additionally netting 13 instances for the Rossoneri in 2022-23 and 11 in 2021-22.

Giroud did not hit double figures within the Premier League in any of his 4 seasons with Chelsea, although he did so in every of his 5 full campaigns with Arsenal (11 in 2012-13, 16 in 2013-14, 14 in 2014-15, 16 in 2015-16 and 12 in 2016-17).